THE GLOBAL TESTOSTERONE:

The debate through the eyes of Marines (GORDON DILLOW, 10/03/04, The Orange County Register)

I don't know where you watched the presidential debate, or which line of post-debate spin you take for gospel. But where I was, in a tiny, two-bunk barracks room at Camp Pendleton, with five young Marine "grunts" crowded around a small TV and a large ice chest full of Bud Lite and Red Dog, the sentiment was unanimous.

As the current commander- in-chief, George W. Bush already commanded that room. But during and after the debate, he owned it. [...]

[T]hese are just five Marine infantrymen I knew in Iraq, young men I deeply admire, who have an interest in politics and who happened to congregate Thursday night around a TV in this spartan, cinderblock-walled room - and who happen to lean toward the Bush side.

"I've been looking forward to this (debate) all week," Cpl. Hess told me - and then he laughed and added, "That shows you how lame my life is."

But even though in this barracks room there wasn't much debate over the debate, it was interesting to hear these Marines' take on the presidential race, and the world in general.

[E]ven though they have firsthand knowledge of the dangers and difficulties and frustrations of Iraq, like President Bush these particular Marines take the optimistic view. At one point Bush said, "I expect to win. It's necessary we win. We have a duty to our country and future generations of America to achieve a free Iraq" - and when he said it there were nods all around.

"I think we can win, I think we can establish a democracy over there," Sgt. McFarling said. And then he added, simply, "We have to."

So in this room, if not in the polls and among the pundits, it was the president's night Thursday, with Sen. Kerry taking the mostly jocular verbal hits.

"Flip-flop!" the Marines shouted at the senator's image on the TV. "Be decisive!" they demanded. "It's one of the 14 principles of leadership!" And they called out in unison, "Four!" at Kerry's fourth reference to having served in Vietnam.

"I respect his service," Cpl. Hartlove said. "He's obviously a decent guy. But hey, I served in Iraq. Should you vote for me just for that?"