US and the World

Who sounds tougher? Bush!

Talking Points Memo: by Joshua Micah Marshall: October 24, 2004 - October 30, 2004 Archives

Josh Marshall runs the Bush response to the bin Laden tape and the Kerry rsponse and asks:"Which of these two statements sounds like it comes from the stronger leader?" It's an interesting exercise in "the medium is the message." It also points out what I think is a basic problem with the Kerry campaign. He's not being himself.

Reading the quotes from Kerry and Bush I would say Kerry sounds stronger. Seeing and hearing them on television as I did, however, I think Bush made a more credible impression as a strong leader.

I think the problem is Kerry looks and sounds like he's trying to convince us that he is a strong leader. Bush sounds real. And this may be the basic problem with Kerry's campaign. Kerry doesn't have the confidence to be himself - if he is himself, he is afraid people will not vote for him. I also think that's why I can not be enthusiastic about Kerry. I don't believe - and frankly, I don't want to believe - all the macho posturing. Killing bin Laden is not going to solve the terrorist problem. It is a lot more complicated than that.

And trying to look and sound like someone you are not does not build confidence in you. I think Kerry will win - I certainly hope he does - because the anti-Bush vote is so strong. But once he does, he's going to have an identity crisis - especially if he just goes around trying to prove he's really tough. This is so damned childish, it's pitiful, but I guess this is where fear drives most people.