Editoral Praise for The President

The Washington Post in its Editoral page today clear agrees that the President took the first debate. This is by no means a conservative paper:

Mr. Bush was skillful and relentless in underlining these "mixed messages," and in arguing that a president who sent them could not effectively lead U.S. forces or recruit allies. "So what's the message going to be? Please join us in Iraq for a grand diversion?" he demanded at one point. Mr. Kerry seemed not to have an answer to this challenge; his argument that "the real war on terrorism [is] in Afghanistan against Osama bin Laden" seemed to us unconvincing alongside Mr. Bush's repeated insistence that success in Iraq and on other fronts is equally vital to U.S. security. After all, not so long ago Mr. Kerry said he, too, believed that Saddam Hussein represented a grave threat that the United States could not afford to ignore.

This from the Las Vegas Review Journal and what a great headline:

EDITORIAL: Tone-deaf Kerry loses crucial debate

Fails to lay a glove with talk of 'global tests,' and 'bringing in' the Europeans

Democratic challenger John Kerry entered the first presidential debate in Coral Gables, Fla., Thursday night running behind. He needed to win this debate. Many pundits proclaimed that he did so, simply by making no major mistakes while arguing a subject -- foreign policy -- considered to be his greatest weakness. They are wrong. He lost.

President Bush won the debate at precisely the midpoint. He did it with a reminiscence of an Iraq War widow named Misty Bryan visiting with him after losing her husband, P.J., in that war.

The very fact that George W. Bush is not a glib man made it obvious his emotion was sincere, as he said of the young war widow, "It's hard work to love her the best I can. I told her after we prayed together, and teared up and laughed some ... that her husband's sacrifice was noble."


THATS GONNA LEAVE A MARK!

Dick Morris, former Clinton Guru:

PRESIDENT Bush's positions on the issues aired in the debate last night are so sound and John Kerry's so contradictory that the Republican could not help but win the debate.

BO SCHEMBECHLER: Bush has proved himself a leader thats right Woody's old nemisis Bo Schembechler:

I like to think most people would agree that I know football. I also know a little something about character, commitment and leadership. The past three years, President George W. Bush has dealt with situations no president has ever faced, and he has emerged as one of the most principled leaders our country has ever seen. What I find remarkable and admirable is that the president has risen to the challenge every time: confronting unprecedented threats to national security and displaying the resolve to carry America through the tough times.

He is dedicated to defending our nation at home and abroad. And he defends through smart offense -- bringing the war to the terrorists so we don't have to fight them again here at home.

The American people have a choice to make in November; that choice is clear to me. They have a choice of a man who is unafraid to defend our nation and protect the security of every American. They have a choice of a man who is determined to lead the world to freedom and peace, and win the war on terror. They have a choice of a man who will make the tough decisions when they must be made, no matter the political winds.

I know Michigan, I know the values Michiganders stand for, and I know Michigan needs four more years of President Bush. He has my vote, and he deserves yours, too.

These are just selected highlights. You have to read the whole piece at The Detroit Free Press

H.D.S. Grenway in Kerry's Hometown Boston Globe

John Podhoretz in the NYPost

Fred Barnes,The Weekly Standard

I could go on and on but the consensus is clear.