I haven’t written too much about either the first Presidential or the Vice-Presidential debate primarily because I know that if I had sat down and started to do so, I would have, in fact, written too much. Besides, the debates themselves have taken a backseat to the debate about the debates. The spin and the press and the polling has become more important than anything any of the candidates say. Anyway, there are a bunch of people who you can find in the column to the right (under “Politically Motivated …”) not to mention the glorious Wonkette who are writing plenty and worth reading. I’ve even got some right-wingers over there because I like to see what the other side is saying, no matter how illogical it may seem.
I did only recently discover one new “political” blog which is worth reading if you don’t mind an utter lack of what I suppose could be termed civility. The Rude Pundit writes what most of us who back Kerry-Edwards and/or are utterly frustrated with the arrogance and deception of Bush & Cheney are thinking every time the mouth from the south swaggers (he calls it “walking”) into a room and (mis)speaks. It ain’t pretty, but hey, it’s not like his name doesn’t aptly describe his posts. Before each of the debates, he has written, “If at tonight’s ‘debate’ when (Kerry or Edwards) is asked,” followed by a Republican attack point question; he then goes on to produce a long invective filled with harsh and extreme language but also valid criticisms; and then wraps up with “then the debate will be worthless.”
His pre-first Presidential debate post is here, and his pre-VP debate post is here. His argument for tonight’s fake-town hall debate, featuring an explanation of the term “global test,” is right here, and is fucking brilliant. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Obviously, don’t forget to watch tonight’s debate at 9 PM, even if you have to do like me and DiVo it (I’ll be at Vera Drake at the NYFF). Also don’t forget that today is the last day you can register to vote in New York state. I realize I may not have mentioned this before, and for that I’m sorry. But please, even if you have to actually go somewhere to do so today, if you haven’t yet registered, go do it now. If you’re in California, you still have another 10 days, but don’t be lazy. Go now. Thus ends my latest PSA.
Out of Focus 