Bushisms from the debate

Okay, so I said I wouldn't provide debate commentary, but I'm flip-flopping just a little to bring you some fresh Bushims. From the transcript at KATU-Portland:

People out there listening know what I believe. And that's how best it is to keep the peace.

The enemy understands a free Iraq will be a major defeat in their ideology of hatred. That's why they're fighting so vociferously.

They showed up in Afghanistan when they were there, because they tried to beat us and they didn't.

That's kind of a pre-September 10th mentality...

[T]o say that there's only one focus on the war on terror doesn't really understand the nature of the war on terror..[snip]..Of course we're after Saddam Hussein -- I mean bin Laden.

Osama bin Laden isn't going to determine how we defend ourselves. Osama bin Laden doesn't get to decide. The American people decide. I decided the right action was in Iraq.

You know, I think about Missy Johnson. She's a fantastic lady I met in Charlotte, North Carolina..[snip]..Her husband PJ got killed. He'd been in Afghanistan, went to Iraq. You know, it's hard work to try to love her as best as I can, knowing full well that the decision I made caused her loved one to be in harm's way.

Must add...the snippy chimp did put on his demanding air with a typical Snippy the Emperor "Let me finish" when he was beyond his allotted time. You don't interrupt the emperor, not even with your silly debate rules. Even if he's spent his allotted time repeating trite mantras. (Hard work...stay the course...Iraqis want to be free...mixed messages...stay the course...hard work. Go count 'em.) And...

BUSH: A free Iraq will be an ally in the war on terror, and that's essential. A free Iraq will set a powerful example in the part of the world that is desperate for freedom. A free Iraq will help secure Israel. A free Iraq will enforce the hopes and aspirations of the reformers in places like Iran. A free Iraq is essential for the security of this country.

KERRY: Soldiers know over there that this isn't being done right yet. I'm going to get it right for those soldiers, because it's important to Israel, it's important to America, it's important to the world, it's important to the fight on terror. [emphasis mine]

And somewhere, I need to make a note that Bush plainly stated:

The next four years we will continue to strengthen our homeland defenses. We will strengthen our intelligence-gathering services. We will reform our military. The military will be an all-volunteer army. [emphasis mine]

Coming up:

LEHRER: And that ends tonight's debate. A reminder, the second presidential debate will be a week from tomorrow, October 8th, from Washington University in St. Louis. Charles Gibson of ABC News will moderate a town hall-type event. Then, on October 13th, from Arizona State University in Tempe, Bob Schieffer of CBS News will moderate an exchange on domestic policy that will be similar in format to tonight's.

Also, this coming Tuesday, at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, the vice presidential candidates, Vice President Cheney and Senator Edwards, will debate with my PBS colleague, Gwen Ifill, moderating.

I definitely want to watch the "town-hall" event at Washington University. At least to see who's been permitted to be in the audience. (Wash U is predominantly black students.) Until then...

...stay the course...it's hard work.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

Update 1:20pm: A colleague has just informed me that I am totally mistaken about Washington University - that it does not have a predominantly black student population.