Kansas University student Courtney Howard watched Friday night’s presidential debate confident that President Bush’s message touched Americans more than Sen. John Kerry’s, even if Bush’s oratory skills weren’t as polished.

“It’s frustrating when people laugh at Bush for the way he speaks,” said Howard, a Bush supporter. “Kerry made some mistakes, too. It just happens when you are asked a question in front of the whole nation.”

Howard was one of about 115 people who turned out at the Dole Institute of Politics at KU to watch and discuss the debate.

In formal academic events, casual bar settings and even at a convention hall in St. Louis, Lawrence residents watched and reacted to the second of three head-to-head debates between the major party presidential contenders.

At KU, Howard said she was particularly attracted to Bush’s stance on the war.

“I think it would be really bad if we got a president who didn’t want to be there, because I think the troops would disrespect him,” she said.

Six Lawrence residents involved in Veterans for Kerry watched the debate from St. Louis’s downtown convention center. Just miles away, the debate took place at Washington University.

Gil Zemansky, a Navy veteran who organized the St. Louis trip, said several thousand Kerry supporters had gathered in the convention hall to watch the debate. Kerry was expected to address the crowd later in the evening.

“Kerry looked more presidential than the president,” Zemansky said. “He was just much more poised.”

Watching from Rick’s Place, 846 Ill., Lawrence architect Sven Alstrom agreed.

“Just like the first debate, ‘W’ had a hard time,” Alstrom said. “He likes to just recite policy statements instead of facts.”

The Dole Institute event was part of DebateWatch, a national program started by Diana Carlin, dean of the KU Graduate School and International Programs. DebateWatch participants kept notes during the debates, then filled out a questionnaire before breaking into groups of 10 to 12 to discuss what they had seen.

Carlin said that participation in the focus groups was beneficial for many potential voters.

“What we’ve found over time is that people learn something new about both candidates, and they usually decide that both candidates have positives,” Carlin said. “So they are more willing to support the winner and give that person a chance.”

Local voices

Randy Asberry, Lawrence Memorial Hospital surgical supply technician, who says he is pro-Bush, Lawrence: “I agree a lot with what Bush has to say, and I found Kerry a little wishy-washy, just like Bush describes him.”

Dana Rubin, KU student who is pro-Kerry, Lawrence: “I thought both candidates backed their issues strongly, but I think Kerry knew more what he was talking about.”

Nick Willis, KU student who says he is “anti-Bush”, Lawrence: “I think Kerry destroyed him. Bush just kept saying the same things over and over again because he can’t seem to think on his own.”

Laura Albert, KU student who is pro-Kerry, Lawrence: “I thought Kerry definitely sounded a lot more intellectual. I think Bush made some comments he shouldn’t have, and he doesn’t know how to keep his temper.”

Eric Njuki, KU student who says he was relatively undecided coming into the debate, Lawrence: “At the moment I think I am leaning on the Kerry side. I placed a lot of emphasis on the economic policy. I’m an economics student, and we have studied supply-side economics. It doesn’t ever work.”

Daniel Benson, registered Democrat and Kerry supporter, watching at Rick’s Place. Lawrence: “Kerry is being more aggressive and less defensive. He is addressing Bush head on.”

Seth Swartz-endruber, elementary music teacher, who says he is pro-Bush, Lawrence: “The debate reinforces my conviction that politics is not the answer to the world’s problems. Faith in Jesus Christ is.”

Gary Swartz-endruber, Seth’s father, retired, who leans toward Kerry, Salina: “I’m a Kerry believer. My Democrat friends don’t like it, but I actually like George Bush. He’s smarter than a lot of my Democrat friends think. He’s smart enough to be the salesman, but not the CEO.”

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