I think it was kind of a draw. Here's my take:
Issues: Bush 70% Kerry 30%
Style: Kerry 55% Bush 45%
I would agree with your summary. But, there's a gift to Bush here that will keep on giving. Lots of folks saw this debate, now the RNC can hammer Kerry with his past comments (as recently as last week) and how they vary from his debate "performance". Lots of grist for that mill!
THE PROBLEM IS....a big part of how the UNDECIDEDS see this...has to do with atmospherics.
If they really looked at issues.....they would not be undecideds at this point.
"Looking like a President" really is a big part of how the debate comes off.
Sure...it may have been a draw....but Bush could have finished this tonight. Instead...Kerry...sounding pretty...was enough to give his folks some fire.
And now its gonna come down to two debates (that were supposed to favor Kerry) and everyday of the rest of the campaign.
Bush did well enough to hold his own...but that should never be the target goal.
Bush tapered off at the end. One has to bring more than an hour of statements...to a 90 minute debate.
In the next two debates...Bush has to avoid the trap of being defensive. He needs to ignore some of Kerry's statements.
He can still point out where Kerry has made a bogus statement...but he can't let that take up all of his time.
He still needs to sell himself.
After tonight...we are now in a tighter race than we were yesterday.
I wonder how this plays for voters though... I've know many don't like how Kerry can appear to be too slick.
Do you think that coming accross as TOO polished in a debate makes people not trust you?
-paridel