[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.

[RockinRight]

Yet another Bush to Reagan parallel. Reagan wasn't too hot in the first '84 debate with Comrade Mondale. But he shined in the second with the infamous line about exploiting youth and inexperience...look for W to do the same. Also, W did poorly in the first debate with Gore.

[walden]

"Yet another supposed Republican so hung up on style he missed the substance. "

Yep. The truth is that ALL pundits, right and left, have more in common with each other than any of them do with the rest of us (possible exception is Mark Steyn.) They're all that east coast Ivy League elitist mentality (even if some, like Nordlinger here, technically didn't attend an Ivy League.) Steyn didn't finish college-- he's basically self-educated-- which is what, I think, makes him different.

And yes, I think this debate definitely helped Bush with women. Kerry came across as a pompous ass, not a nice guy, while Bush came across as sincere, steady & reliable, a guy you can count on. Women may date Kerry, but they'll marry Bush. ;) (Also, I don't think sounding a bit defensive hurts Bush with women, just makes Kerry seem like more of a butt.)