Bush Adviser Says Debate Prep Has Been Challenging
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Morning Editor
September 28, 2004
(CNSNews.com) - One of President Bush's most trusted advisers says Sen. John F. Kerry has spent a "lifetime" preparing for the presidential debates -- because that's what senators do -- debate the issues.
Presidents, on the other hand, have more experience "listening and making decisions," Karen Hughes said in an interview with Fox & Friends on Tuesday.
Hughes said Kerry's shifting positions on the issues have made it challenging for the Bush team to prepare for Thursday's debate:
"Every time we've met, it seems like he's had a different position on major issues like the war against terror in Iraq, and so we've had to prepare over and over and over again to keep track of his shifting positions."
She said given Kerry's demeanor of a prosecutor, "you can expect to hear attack after attack after attack" on Thursday night. "What I don't think the American people will hear is any positive vision for where he wants to lead this country," Hughes said.
She said given the Bush administration's progress in eliminating threats around the world, she can't understand attacks such as the one Sen. Ted Kennedy launched on Monday.
Kennedy said Bush's personality and policies have made the U.S. more vulnerable to a nuclear attack.
"I think there's a note of desperation starting to creep into some Democrats' voices," Hughes said.
She said President Bush is going into the debates "wanting to clearly articulate for the American people what he believes and where he stands."
She also said her boss is "relentlessly focused" on one thing: "He wakes up every morning knowing his most important priority is to protect the American people from another attack."
Hughes said Bush's growing lead in the polls may reflect a backlash against Kerry, as he sends the "wrong signals" to America's enemies, its allies, the people of Iraq, and U.S. troops in Iraq.
I can see this debate in my head already. John Kerry is going to spend the evening testing "one-liners," attacking W, avoiding his record, and being uptight as he always is. 
