I have to say that I have found your perception of this debate completely off the mark from beginning to end and as time has passed since it ended I think my perception is becoming the majority view and yours is being demonstrated incorrect.
That question from Lehrer was not a "silver platter" question. It was an offensive question to ask of a president and President Bush addressed it with dignity and did not take the bait to get down and dirty.
I know you're a big Bush fan and will chalk it up to nerves clouding your judgement.
Cyncooper, thanks for your feedback. I have gotten tons of FRmail stating the opposite of your sentiment.
Perhaps the untrained eye of the American public will be forgiving to W, but the polls I saw last night had Kerry ahead in some polls 88-12.
Coming across as agitated and defensive is never going to win you a debate. Americans have about a 10 minute attention span, and to those who tuned in early and then tuned out, W was hostile and defensive and Kerry was under control. Are they listening? I doubt it- and if they tuned out they didnt' even get to hear Kerry contradict himself. W got control of himself and really did well with the Korea question and did great showing the personal side talking about the soldier's family he met with- that's what he's good at. But in the beginning he was coming across as defensive.
The silver platter question from Lehrer was not looking for a personal attack. Lehrer, no matter how cracked his questions, is a professional moderator and would not be fishing for a personal attack. The things that Kerry had said before Lehrer asked for a retort were so easily responded to, that I think Lehrer was looking for W to state the obvious- it really shocked me that W did not have a comeback. I think Lehrer was looking for a logical response, not a personal attack.
Maybe to the untrained eye, W shone last night. I pray it's so. But just because I adore the guy- and THAT is not up to debate of course- doesn't mean I can't judge him accurately. I think a lot of people want Bush to win so badly they can't see that in the first half of the debate he was not at his best. The next one is town hall, which is 100% W's forte. He should really do well.