Thanks, KenH, for your thoughtful answer.
Originally posted by KenH:
I don't find the evidence presented to be sufficiently compelling.
I'm quite sure that if I was filmed as much as a president is that instances could be found where I sound brilliant and instances could be found where I sound like I have had a frontal lobotomy.
That's true, these are selected short clips, but they are from specific, comparable events - formal debates.
I was more surprised by the old Bush than the present one. Perhaps that bit from the Richards-Bush debate was Bush at his highest, brightest moment. That is why I provided the C-Span link to a more representative, longer bit - to show that he wasn't always like he is now.
Did you see the first Kerry-Bush debate? He
prepared for it. As the incumbent president, Bush should have the advantage of being deeply involved and knowledgable about the issues on a daily basis for the past several years.
Some people have made excuses such as he was tired, he was stressed out. But being president
is a tiring, stressful job. Is he fit to handle it?
I am a few years younger that President Bush and I am certainly not as good at talking and making points as I was ten years ago. But I have always written better than I speak.
Have you changed as much as he has? Do you interrupt yourself? Do you begin your answers with a open-mouthed blank stare into space? Bush Sr, who was no great shakes as a speaker on his best day, can talk circles around his present-day son.
So while I find the clips interesting I am not going to make a judgment based on them.
Of course.
But listen and watch, and keep the question in mind.