The Five Stages of Bushism

Link via Atrios to the post from The Talent Show...

While not mentioned, I've noticed Bush has the curious habit of shaking his head and looking down, particularly when he's braying and barking while stalling for time (Stage 3). Library Chronicles links to Wonkette's debate drinking game, but I think my own will be based on the Bush head-shake (which looks in part like a "shake out the cobwebs" thing and part arrogance, although perhaps it's confusion masking as arrogance. Rove probably told him to look down on the working press).

Of course, the debate itself will be relentlessly chewed and rechewed by the media until one side or the other's spin points carry the day. TalkingPointsMemo has more information about this, as well as a link to a Paul Krugman op-ed that make for good reading. I've also seen various posts noting that right-leaning pundits have an edge in the media--which suggests that Bush has a head start in the spin wars. Hell, at least a few wingnuts might declare Bush the winner even if he ate a live baby while at the podium...

That said, I don't expect too many of the punditocracy to step out on a limb unless one or the other candidate is clearly overmatched. And the debate formate seems to work against this. Bush right now is probably spending a lot of time memorizing cue cards and catch phrases, while I hope Kerry is being told that he won't be on the floor of the United States Senate. The pundits, if one can judge from the past (and pundits are notorious creatures of habit), will be cautious once the closing statements have been made, and will solemnly declare that no "knock-out punch" was delivered. Perhaps one or two will cross the line from punditry to hackdom and pull a George Will, but for the most part I expect everyone will play a waiting game.

Then watch as they attach their press credentials (and their souls) to whichever candidate seems to show a bump in the polls.

The real question, perhaps, is: do the pundits themselves rent their souls out to the highest bidder, or is this a group deal negotiated by whomever own title to them in the first place?