|
Updated: Sep 15, 2004 I just love The Daily Show. This guy, Jon Stewart, is brilliant. Several months ago he ran a piece where President Bush (2004) debated Governor Bush (2000). Talk about flip flopping! There are links to the clip in 3 sizes (all are Quicktime format): * Low Res (12.4 MB)Below is the transcript: [ Note: Special thanks go to On Lisa Rein's Radar... She's clearly patriotic in the old-fashioned sense of the word (otherwise known as "real"). ] Bush vs Bush! John Stewart: <lead-in> Now, since the beginning of all this weapons of mass destruction, regime change, pockets of resistance, targets of opportunity business, it's been difficult to have an honest discussion about the direction Pres. Bush is taking this country. In fact, when you combine the new mandate that criticizing the commander and chief is off-limits in wartime with last year's official disbanding of the Democratic party, well we're left at an all-time low in the good old-fashion honest debate category. Now I know you're thinking: "but John, every time I want to have a calm, honest discussion about these kinds of issues I'm shouted down and harrassed by, uh, the Dixie Chicks and their ilk." JS: <continuing setup> Well tonight it all changes. We're going to have an honest, open debate between the President of the United States and the one man we believe has the insight and the cojones to stand up to him: so first, joining us tonight George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States, welcome Mr. President. Pres: Good evening I'm pleased to take your questions tonight. JS: Well thank you very much sir, I'm pleased to ask them. Taking the other side, joining us from the year 2000, Texas governor and Presidential candidate, George W. Bush. Gov: Good evening. JS: Thank you Governor. Mr. President, you won the coin toss, the first question will go to you. Why is the United States of America using its power to change governments in foreign countries? Pres: We must stand up for our security and for the permanent rights and the hopes of mankind. The USA will make that stand. JS: Well certainly that represents a bold new doctrine in foreign policy, Mr. President. Governor Bush, do you agree with that? Gov: I'm not so sure the role of the United States should be to go around the world and say "this is the way it's gotta be." JS: Alright, well that's interesting. That's a difference of opinion, and certainly that's what this country is about, differences of opinion. Mr. President, let me just get specific. Why are we in Iraq? Pres: Well, umm... we will be changing the regime of Iraq... for the good of the Iraqi people. JS: Governor, then I'd like to hear your response on that. Gov: If we're an arrogant nation, then they'll resent us. I think one way for us to end up being viewed as the Ugly American is to go around the world saying "we do it this way, so should you." JS: Well, that's an excellent point. I don't think you can argue with that! Mr. President, so is the idea to just build a new country that we like better? Pres: We will tear down the apparatus of terror, and we will help build a new Iraq that is prosperous and free. Gov: I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called "nation building." JS: Well, that's fair enough, Governor, well, certainly you're entitled to that. But then Gov., answer this: how do you propose that we nation-build? Would you use diplomacy? Gov. Let me say this: I wouldn't use force. I wouldn't use force. Pres: <shrugs, dumbfounded> JS: Well... Mr. President, clearly you're skeptical of the governor. Now Gov., you sound categorically against the use of force. In your time in Texas, what have you done to demonstrate your willingness to be tough? Gov: I've been standing up to Big Hollywood, Big Trial Lawyers... <trademark Shrub smirk> Um, what was the question, it was about emergencies, wasn't it? <Shrub frat smirk-giggle> JS: <laughs, then serious> No. No it wasn't. Getting back to Iraq, Mr. President, you're as familiar with the Governor's record in Texas as anybody. Are you willing, Mr. President, to trust Gov. Bush with our foreign policy? Pres: I am not willing to take that chance again, John. JS: Strong words from two very different men. Now, as this debate draws to a close, I need to turn to the subject of money. Much of this discussion on foreign policy is moot if we can't afford to pay for it. So we're running out of time, quickly, both of you, let's talk numbers. Pres: I'm sending the Congress a wartime supplemental appropriations request of $74.7 BILLION dollars, to fund needs directly arising from the Iraqi conflict. JS: $74.7 billion dollars appears to be within the realm of reason. Governor? Gov: Obviously tonight we're going to hear some phony numbers about what I think and what we ought to do. [jb?] JS: That's a little vituperative! Well on that note I want to thank both George W. Bushes for taking part tonight, and keeping with our debate rules we will end our discussion with a trite and insincere farewell. Mr. President, you are the most powerful man in the world, you can go first. Pres: <poker face> Goodnight. And may God continue to bless America. JS: Wow. Incredibly insincere! Governor, can you top that? Gov: <brow furrowed, sounding choked up, totally insincere> Thanks... Thanks from the bottom of my heart... JS: Nice. Wow. |