Now its up to each party's politicos to spin the debates to their candidate's advantage over the next few days. All Bush really had to do today was supply soundbites for the evening news and cable news. He did his part. Now Rove and the rest of the Republican pundits will handle the rest. As for Kerry, his team of pundits have the challege of building a single theme out of tonight and hammering it home in simple, marketing terms. Let the post-debate debates begin.
Bush looked nervous and pissed. I don't know if what Kerry is saying is true, but he sure does believe it.
Bush had homecourt advantage at this debate, so to speak. They were playing in an issue that was his strongest, in terms of debate speak. For Kerry to break even, or even slightly lose in this debate is a victory with what is left for them to talk about.
Well, as an undecided who normally votes Republican, I must say Mr. Kerry won this debate. Mr. Kerry made better points with more clarity while Mr. Bush appeared combative and seemed armed only with several phrases he overused. I was leaning toward Bush, but I now I am really, really undecided. Not that my one vote will mean that much (I know, I know -- every vote counts), but there are hundreds of thousands like me out there that really, really could step into either camp at the last moment.
brief followup, bush had an opportunity tonight to put kerry away, and he didn't. by the same token, he more than held his own against someone with superior speaking skills. no question kerry looked and sounded more polished, and bush at times seemed pissed off. how that will play is anybody's guess. on balance then, a draw, with the benefit that perhaps people will actually focus on what the candidates said, rather than how they said it. one of the best presidential debates i've seen...
Saturday Night Live will not need Will Ferrell for Bush to be funny. They can just use actual clips from the debate. Totally superficial I know, but putting aside your party affiliation, which one looked and sounded more presidential to you?
He said it was THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE and that you could have conviction but be WRONG IN YOUR CONVICTION. How droll!
Hey... hey... slow down, Tex. Kerry was good but he wasn't that good. He was just standing next to Bush.
No he didn't, neither candidate did. Tim Russert said it best "neither delivered a knock out blow. Both solidified their bases" The race has been a dead heat for months and it will continue to be a dead heat until November 2nd.
If Kerry wins the election.................... I'm not moving to Europe! Nobody said much anyway. Bush defended his tough choices which are easy to criticize from afar and after the fact. Kerry promised to do everything better but provided no evidence that he could or would do it better. Yawn.
