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14 October 2004Politics
Answer The Question!

One of the most annoying parts of the last debate is that again and again, when faced with a question he could not or would not answer, President Bush didn't and instead went on to talk about education or legal reform or anything else that would take people's mind off the fact that he has an indefensible record. Here are some examples:

SCHIEFFER: Mr. President, I want to go back to something Senator Kerry said earlier tonight and ask a follow-up of my own. He said -- and this will be a new question to you -- he said that you had never said whether you would like to overturn Roe v. Wade. So I'd ask you directly, would you like to?
BUSH: What he's asking me is, will I have a litmus test for my judges? And the answer is, no, I will not have a litmus test. I will pick judges who will interpret the Constitution, but I'll have no litmus test.

That was Bush's entire two minute response. It confused Kerry so much that he had had to ask for clarification as to how much time he had to respond.

On the minimum wage:

Actually, Mitch McConnell had a minimum-wage plan that I supported that would have increased the minimum wage.

But let me talk about what's really important for the worker you're referring to. And that's to make sure the education system works. It's to make sure we raise standards.

On the assault weapons bad:

Actually, I made my intentions -- made my views clear. I did think we ought to extend the assault weapons ban, and was told the fact that the bill was never going to move, because Republicans and Democrats were against the assault weapon ban, people of both parties.

I believe law-abiding citizens ought to be able to own a gun. I believe in background checks at gun shows or anywhere to make sure that guns don't get in the hands of people that shouldn't have them.

on Affirmative Action:

Well, first of all, it is just not true that I haven't met with the Black Congressional Caucus. I met with the Black Congressional Caucus at the White House.

And secondly, like my opponent, I don't agree we ought to have quotas. I agree, we shouldn't have quotas." (Bush only met with the "Black Congressional Caucus" when they showed up at the White House and demanded to meet with him after he repeatedly refused.)

Again, if you missed the debate, you can read the entire transcript at the many sites including the Washington Post.

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