[Cosmo]

Initial reactions are that Kerry was polished, slick and presidential and Bush seemed to lack confidence. But as time passes, the substance of the debates comes into focus. With no zingers apart from Bush' retort to Krry's "global test" gaffe, the lingering waft of the debate will reveal that Kerry didn't score too much. Not even many pedants like pedantry.

[Timeout]

Initial reactions are that Kerry was polished, slick and presidential and Bush seemed to lack confidence.

Of all my impressions of the substance, it was GWB's posture that I noticed most. He was hunched over the podium much of the time and it made him look less self-confident than he's appeared out on the trail lately.

The rest of it just makes me too nervous to expand on at this point.

[nicollo]

Initial reactions are that Kerry was polished, slick and presidential and Bush seemed to lack confidence. But as time passes, the substance of the debates comes into focus.

Well said. To my mind, Kerry debated, and Bush campaigned.