Kowabunga

What an event! Met up with Scott of PinkyMonkeyBird at the Minneapolis Hilton for the Final Debate party being hosted by AM1280 and the bloggers that comprise the NARN. I'd figure there was around 600-700 people in attendance, and they were quite the exuberant crowd. Met another blogger, Tom Swift, of Pair 'O Dice and had a minute to chat with State Senator Tom Neuville of Northfield, my neighboring community. Also met up with one of the guys from FreedomDogs.

There were a number of bloggers there, many of whom were "live blogging", that is to say posting to their blogs updates on the debate in a blow by blow fashion. Not having a laptop with wireless capability, I'm doing it the old fasion way and posting after the event.

First impressions are important. Kerry looked wooden, actually reminding me of Glenn Strange as Frankenstein's Monster, no surprise since he is married to the Bride of Frankenstein. Bush, on the other hand, looked fresh and energetic. Where Kerry looked dead, Bush looked vibrant. This was a change for the better over the first debate when Bush did not look to be at his best.

The questions, though mainly focused on domestic policy, did allow for opportunities to remind Americans of the War on Terrorism. Although part of Presidnet Bush's stump speech, he got in "Freedom is on the march" and brought up the point that for the first time Afgahnistan held a free election. Opportunities did abound for the President to display his accomplishments in spreading liberty in the Middle East, and he took them all.

One of the best catch phrases of the night was during the responses to the question on taxation, when Bush said "We're spending your money," in reference to the need for fiscal responsibility, and remembering that the money collected in taxes is money that comes from Americans, and does not belong to the Government, but entrusted to the Government. Bush later blasted Kerry with "mainstream American Politics, you sit on the far left bank."

Towards the end of the debate, Kerry once again discounts our allies, their contributions to the liberation of Afgahnistan and Iraq, and their tremendous sacraficies. Bush kicked his butt again. How can this guy (Kerry) form an international coalition when he continues to denigrate the contributions of those many countries who have already given the U.S., Iraq, and Afgahnistan their support as well as the lives of their servicemen?

Overall, Bush's star was shining bright, and gave his best debate performance of the three, and literally clobbered Kerry at every turn.

It was a great debate, and a great party to be at. Thanks again to the NARN and to AM1280 The Patriot for hosting this event. If you missed it, you missed out on one heck of a party.