DEBATE3.CBS 10/01/04 12:16 AM-DLR   1:30
Oh, it was a bad night to be a terrorist.  This is Dave Ross on the CBS Radio Network.
The question we keep hearing in this campaign is - which candidate would the terrorists prefer.
I was listening very carefully last night to see if I could figure out which candidate would appeal to the terrorist demographic; which candidate could CONNECT better WITH the average terrorist, and make that terrorist feel valued; important; EMPOWERED.
So let's see what we have:
BUSH:  "If we remain strong and resolute we will defeat this enemy."
THAT's not going to play in the Afghan hill country:
KERRY:  "I believe in being strong and resolute and determined.  And I will hunt down and kill the terrorists wherever they are."
That either!  Man!  Slim pickins for the terrorists in this election.  Unless - over time one of these candidates decides to wilt under the pressure:
BUSH:  "There's enormous pressure on the President, and you cannot wilt under that pressure otherwise the world will not be better off."
And Mr. Kerry, suppose they were hoping that YOU might wilt?
TAPE:  "I have no intention of wilting, I have never wilted in my life."
If a terrorist had tried to walk across that stage both men would have tackled him, and the heck with the debate rules.
So I think we can stop worrying about who the terrorists would vote for.  Neither candidate will be offering them a ride to the polls.
And as for the other issue - the character issue...
TAPE... I admire Senator Kerry's service to our country
To which the Senator replied:
TAPE:  I have great respect and admiration for his wife."
And by showing the world that in America a Commander and Chief and his challenger are expected to debate each other and still trade syrupy compliments - well, we may even have spread a little democracy last night.
Now this.
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