George W. is a lot like that, for better and for worse. The only time he looked ill at ease was in the debates, a formal occasion that didn't suit his temperament and where he was as skittish as an "overhandled" racehorse. Although John Kerry was considerably taller than the president, we only noticed when they stood next to each other on stage. At the other times, we saw George W. as standing tall.
Everyone could see how passionately the president wanted to be re-elected, but we also knew that if he lost he could enjoy life in Texas after Washington. John Kerry, by contrast, seems to have everything a man could want in the way of money, status and elegant houses, but can anyone believe he will enjoy returning to his old life in the Senate? He wasn't a distinguished senator and the Senate was merely a station on the way to somewhere else. The presidency was to be the end of the line. Now what?
Every analyst has a piece of the truth of the differences between the candidates - on moral issues, the war on terrorism, Social Security, the economy and all the rest. But ultimately we're all left with feelings, not facts, in trying to figure out what happened. Of all my liberal friends, Bush-bashers to the man (and woman), not one actually likes John Kerry. He was the grin-and-bear-it candidate: "We must do it for the Democratic Party."
Exit polls can illuminate issues, not character. If you don't like the cowboy comparison, try this one from the funny pages. Like Popeye, the president is the man who will look you in the eye and tell you: "I yam what I yam what I yam." The message to the bashers is plain: "Eat your spinach."