[vbmoneyspender]

What I say may be absurd in light of the general reaction — but so be it.

He should have stopped his column right there.

[beyond the sea]

Bush, throughout the evening, as Kerry spoke, had that pursed and annoyed look.

Yes he did. Bummer.

[LongsforReagan]

I agree entirely with this assesment and share the authors pain in doing so. But surprisingly, the MSM doesnt appear ready to pile on...yet.

[JLS]

The problem for Kerry may well be his mistake on the NYC subway system. That could dominate the debate coverage.

[SoCal Pubbie]

The late guy on KFI radio tonight says Bush won easily.

[Darkwolf377]

I see his points but I just don't buy it. Like many media critics, he's micro-examining this, when people will get the impression, the feel of it.

[TOUGH STOUGH]

I disagree. Bush might not have done his best, but overall I think he did well and it was a draw.

[jwalsh07]

This guy wrote an article this long about the debate without mentioning one salient point that will endure the night. Amazingly inept.

Think global test, providing Iran nuclear fuel, unilateral disaramament of our bunker busting program, no forward basing in Iraq, bilateral talks with Korea etc, etc.

[tiki]

My non-political husband watched it with me, (I had to comandeer the remote), he had no expectations for either candidate but likes Bush, he had no problem giving Bush the win because SKerry never answered a question. He just said he'd do better and spend more money while saving money even though he voted against the money.

[Visioneer]

No, actually he was at his peak several hours earlier while he was comforting the hurricane-ravaged people of Florida... Frankls, I thought President Bush did extremely well tonight...considering the level of physical exhaustion he had to be contending with....

[ladyinred]

Well, if he would vote for Kerry because of this debate, then what he says isn't worth much. Again, and most likely again I will say that the questions posed were designed to put Bush on the defense, none were posed to put Kerry anywhere but on the attack. Kerry who always whines about the Attack dogs of the right, was in need of a muzzle himself.

[MNJohnnie]

But tonight (I am writing immediately post-debate) did not show him at his best. Not at all. He will do better — I feel certain — in subsequent debates. I also worry that they count less

Yet another supposed Republican so hung up on style he missed the substance. Kerry may make these people all weak in the knees with his formal debating style, but on substance he blew it. In a post 9-11 world the average voter doesn't want to hear about "Global tests and Bi-lateral talks"

2nd. I wouldn't be so sure Kerry even one on style. Kerry's "I'm so vain" style of relentless self promotion may make the media elite all agog but it does nothing to raise Kerry's Likability factor. Kerry came across as a self-rightous Monday Morning quarterback blow hard. I suspect his rating with women will drop a bit again after this debate.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

The mistake this guy makes is viewing the debate from a pointy-headed intellectual point of view, which he is.

Yes, Bush missed many chances to counter Kerry's lies, but America is not made of pointy-heads and pencil-necks.

[lafroste]

I tend to agree that kerry made a better presentation...until you listen to what he actually said.

Bilateral talks with N Korea? after demanding multilateral approach to iraq?

Give Tehran nuclear fuel and wait to see if they make a bomb with it?

Pass a test before acting pre-emptively?

Collect all of Russia's loose nuke material? Doesn't Russia have a say in this?

Put the UN in charge of Iraq? After Food for Oil, are we seriously expected to allow the likes of France and the Sudan to take a commanding role over our troops?

Then there are the multitude of lies, lies, and damned lies.

Kerry spoke better, what he said was far far worse.

[teletech]

Kerry was a fast talking used car salesman and spoke AT voters. Bush was genuine and spoke TO voters. If Kerry had a position, I didn't hear it. He used LOTS of words and said VERY LITTLE! Lets see how much difference this makes in the polls next week shall we?

[no dems]

If it's any comfort to you, remember that Bush trounced Al Gore in ALL 3 DEBATES and Gore still won the popular vote and just missed winning the Presidency. The Prez did not look real sharp but he spoke from the heart. Kerry was definitely a polished pol. The damage tonight, trust me, was minimal.

[omniscient]

Bush's repetitious comments about Kerry's mixed message were well worth repeating. The average viewer has to be hit on the head with a hammer several times just to get the gist of what the speaker is trying to convey, and to remember it. This is perfect for the Oprah/Jerry audience.

[DarthVader]

Shoot the messenger!!!

[Migjagger]

Yes, I agree that Bush look of annoyance makes him look simian--not good. My mom thought that Bush didn't make as many mistakes as she thought he would but that he did well. Nonetheless, I think that overall Kerry won the debate and I believe he will win the undecided. Frankly, I think that Bush will lose the election.

[John Lenin]

Were you watching the same debate as I was ? Name one memorable Kerry quote that made you feel safer tonight ?