Cocooned away

Another reason why Bush didn't look tolerant of Kerry's thoughts during the debate is because of the cocoon in which he operates. You not only have to be a Bush support to see him on the campaign trail, you have to be ready to volunteer for his campaign in many instances. This means, when Bush goes on the road, he's not seeing America, he's seeing his volunteers.

But in the debate, he had to be America's President again, not his supporters'. And in a country as diverse and individualistic as ours, that means putting up with dissent. Unfortunately, he rarely has made much effort to expose himself to America. Thursday, it showed.