Having failed to realize that the hapless wishy-washy caricature they painted of Senator Kerry only worked so long as you didn't put the two candidates in the same room, the Bush campaign decided to roll out a new strategy at last night's debate best described as, “Feel sorry for me.”  While the President maintained his superficial grasp of the issues, the pouting, defensive man of the first couple debates was replaced by the “down on his luck” underachiever going through a rough patch but half-heartedly optimistic his lack of stature or accomplishments isn't so bad.  Whether it was the continuous “deer in the headlights” look on Mr. Bush's face, the pleasant stilted smile, the aborted ill-timed attempts at humor or even the long rambling answer about education for a question dealing with the minimum wage, the President seemed to be making the most of this new strategy.  In fact, this new approach appears to have given the post-debate commentators some cover to once again call the debate a tie.

Some suggest that the initial phases of this plan can be seen in the first debate when the President used the words “ It's hard work,” more than a dozen times within the first half hour.  Furthermore, campaign research suggests that the Mr.Bush's past likeability coupled with his bad judgement and lack of control over events is creating an opening to run with this new strategy and really make the final weeks of this campaign interesting.  Anecdotal evidence from NPR interviews in Missouri during April 2004 further cemented the shift to this new strategy.  Half of the respondents interviewed were angry that the President neglected to actually answer any questions at his last nationally televised press conference, however, the other half of the respondents said they felt sorry for the President but understood it's a hard job and he's doing the best he can, similar to what one might say when sticking up for your friend's retarded cousin. 

To be sure, the President will continue to strongly hammer Senator Kerry with references to Ted Kennedy and liberal,liberal, liberal, but if he can hold onto his base and expand on this potentially emergent “ I feel sorry for your retarded cousin” voter, then the President may be in a good position to come out on top in this very close race.  After all, the American people love an underdog, even one with as poor a record as the President.

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