If he shoots himself in the foot in some high-profile way in those debates, it could become a major issue for voters. Bush gave several big policy speeches this week, and many of his misstatements came when he was using a TelePrompTer. When he finished a speech on the economy in Green Bay, Wis., he blew the air out of his cheeks, as if relieved, then dived into the question period, where he seems to thrive. This is called filibustering. Bush's staff clearly sees some of his asides as a strength.
Governor frequently deviates from text.
The Republican and his campaign contend that his disdain for highfalutin talk will win over voters who are weary of parsing the statements of their national leaders. Bush told a rally in Spokane, Wash., that he is often reminded of that on rope lines. People walk up to me with a picture of their children and they say, 'We're counting on you, governor. He says what he means and means what he says. Indeed, Bush is the rare national nominee who is willing to chuck his scripts and say what he thinks.