[gsrinok]

I'm sorry, but I have to pretty much agree with the author's assessment. Of course there was no substance in any of Kerry's blather - there never is. He was, however, much more polished than President Bush in his delivery. If you were simply to read the transcripts of this debate, you'd probably think that Bush came out slightly ahead. Under the unforgiving lights of live television, Kerry won on points.

There were some positives to come out of this debate. I have a feeling that people are going to hear the soundbite about the global test over and over up until the election. Karl Rove will do a great job of getting out the fact that Kerry's basic message was "Saddam Hussein was dangerous but we shouldn't have taken him out without making sure that the rest of the world didn't mind."

I'm not panicked in the least after the debate, but I do think this is still a tight contest. The Bush campaign needs to attack Kerry relentlessly, especially about Kerry's betrayal of American servicemen when he came back from Vietnam. Why isn't that message being pounded on every single campaign ad that we see?

[dahvid]

Agreed Bush looked tired, but then again he probably has much more stress than Kerry at this time. Just because Kerry came across as more slick and well rested didn't score any points with me, it made me distrust him more because he seemed disingenuous like a slick well dressed salesman. Bush appeared to be more authentic, maybe more tired and stressed. I think Kerry looked like a fool and a dangerous one at that.