Nostrabobo

And now, I, Attaturk, will make this prediction of Bobo's summary of the second Presidential Debate.

October 9, 2004
Bush's Conviction and Strength Shines Through


People around the country genuinely like President Bush, they see him as one of them. But mostly they see him as a pillar of strength and conviction in a troubled time, when nuanced and complicated answers do not really provide the proper response to large groups of people who's sole ideology is to kill as many of us as possible.

Last night, people saw again the strength and conviction of Mr. Bush. Further, the fact that the President's shirt was untucked in front, his left shoe was untied, and his fly only half-way zipped, surely endeared the President to them more. For this is the look of America, the way America sees itself. Not a perfect people, not a perfect country, but one which realizes it is "good enough" and so is President Bush.

Americans have learned that having high standards for elected officials is far from a good idea. Having high standards only leads to crushing disappointment. No, what Americans clearly want is a President that rarely fails to meet their expectations of "good enough". When it comes to meeting those more realistic standards, President Bush last night, as ever, comes somewhat close.

This stands in sharp contrast to the well-dressed, well-groomed, intellectual Kerry. Kerry puts on an air of being better than most Americans. His pants clasped around his waste, his shoes tied in perfect knots, his tie not askew, his dress shirt undrooled upon. The prim business appearance of the Democratic candidate makes the typical American uncomfortable. Such a competent appearance means we may be led to expect some higher level of performance from our leader then we expect from ourselves.

Nowhere was this more apparent last night than when Gertrude Himmelfarb, of St. Charles, Missouri, asked President Bush whether he had plans for handling the Iraqi matter. The President replied, "Better we kill them here...I mean there, in Iran(sic) in order to prevent Saddam from launching another December 7th (sic). My plan, unlike my opponents is to kill as many as I possibly can and let God sort them out."

This sort of statement, even with its minor errors is what is endearing to Americans about Mr. Bush. He may not say it accurately, he may not know the details, he may not even know the general scheme of things. But you always know what the President stands for, especially when other people tell you what it is. Mr. Bush stands for certitude in an uncertain world, even when that certainty is not wholly or even somewhat accurate.

It is possible as the election approaches, doubt will be cast upon Mr. Bush and his advisors. But one thing people will be certain of is that Mr. Bush is certain about his certainty.