Since I took Public Speaking, and we were taught how to keep score for debate, I did so. Kerry won by four points, which isn't big. But, this was supposed to be Bush's strong point.
But it's not a speaking competition.
If I were judging it like an academic debate, I would have turned a ballot in like this:
Speaker points (15-30)
Kerry: 26
Bush: 19
* Low speaker win
Bush plan: democratize Iraq
- disadvantage: US shoulders burden
Kerry counterplan: same as Bush + summit
- no solvency: other countries won't send troops anyway
- disad: 'wrong war' talk hurts morale, hurts plan solvency
=flows Bush
Bush advantage: North Korea
- bilateral failed empirically
- Libya shows solvency w/ international pressure
Kerry reponse
- multilateral hasn't worked yet
= flows Bush
Kerry disadvantage: Bush wrong to invade Iraq; Bin Laden escapes
- wrong war at wrong time
- shows inadequate judgement
Bush response
- democracy in the Mideast solves terror
= draw to slight Kerry
Bush wins on Iraq and North Korea. Iran doesn't figure in decision.
