Reading the Live debate thread was no fun. Lots of long time freepers threw GWB overboard before the debate was finished and saying that Kerry had won. Ick, it made my skin crawl. But you're right GWB left many of the lies unchallenged, like when Kerry pulled out the 16 words in the State of the Union lie. But I guess when you've got lies flying at you from EVERY answer it's very difficult to answer them all.
For reference, debate transcript.
Here's some happy news:
Just three weeks after emergency quadruple bypass surgery, a thin but surefooted Bill Clinton is back to hitting his walking points. Yesterday, he stopped into a Chappaqua, Westchester County, pharmacy wearing baggy jeans and Nike hiking shoes and carried his own brown bag of prescription medication [Prescriptions in a plain brown wrapper? Hmmmm] out to an idling SUV. full story
My take on the debate:
Bush seemed tired and unengaged, yet clear on what he wants to do. He slumped against the podium way too much. Somewhat repetitive, which eventually sounded pre-programmed. Camera caught him looking plainy irritated and contemptuous of Kerry. He didn't use the prism of 9/11, which was a big mistake. He should have framed every answer with a reminder of what the evil-doers did on 9/11. I'd give him a B-.
Kerry: More Clintonesque in his ability (and willingness) to lie and distort Bush's record. I think their strategy was pre-planned, too: tell so many lies that Bush will have to choose between countering them or sticking to his message (Bush chose the latter). Kerry was Un-Clintonesque in personal appeal to the great unwashed. But he came across as a serious contender and that will help him (if nothing else his base is fired up again). From the probably viewpoint of a voter following this race from the periphery: I'd give Kerry and A-.
If nothing else, Bush now has to be at the top of his game for the domestic policy debate. A wake up call.
did you see the one time after a response POTUS winked (at I am guessing Laura).. it was a quick, "knowing" wink