Kerry came across as being not only pompous, but as a big "know-it-all" talking down to the audience.
Seated between questions, as Bush was responding, Kerry looked so smug and smarmy.
With that pasted grin on his face, it was clear he was thinking "I am so superior to this guy Bush."
Having lived in St. Louis, MO, I can tell you that sort of thing doesn't play well there (or the rest of Middle aka "Real" America).
I liked it when Kerry looked around, and sweeping his arm across the whole audience, said, "From the looks of the people in this audience, the only ones in this room who will be affected by the president's tax cut for the rich will be myself, the president, and Charles Gibson." Pompous is right.
I DID hear him right, didn't I?