This Weekend's Apologist Award

In the runup to the first Kerry-Bush debate virtually every pundit, including conservatives, agreed that the substance of the debates would be very controlled. Far more telling, we heard, would be the attitude, the tone, the facial expressions and yes, the self-control of the candidates. Debate is certainly an art form, and the performance of the opponents (and let's face it... it is a performance) can be far more revealing than their well scripted words.

As we saw, the wheels fell off of Bush's wagon pretty fast in that regard. You didn't need a crystal ball to predict that some of the right wingers would be back peddling on on this. Yes, it came true, but one of the best has to be Michelle Malkin's sudden announcement that... it just doesn't matter.

"I am so sick of seeing every last "body language expert" on earth being dragged out on the cable news to dissect President Bush's facial expressions. I prefer a presidential candidate who actually has emotions--and still possesses the natural, God-given ability to demonstrate them."

No, of course it doesn't matter. Self control and the ability to discuss important issues in a face to face meeting without blowing your top don't matter at all. I couldn't think of a time when such skills could possibly apply to the office of the president. Well, except possibly meeting with foreign dignitaries, negotiating with hostile government leaders, obtaining bi-partisan support in congress...

Oh yes... and to what did the esteemed Ms. Malkin attribute Kerry's contrasting ability to maintain his compsoure and poise? You guessed it... she dragged out the old bo-tox story again. I have to wonder if her only sources for her work at Fox are from the Hollywood tabloids.