[gsrinok]

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.

I agree with you completely. However, the real question that has to be answered is how did the rest of America see it. To people who actually pay attention to the issues, Kerry is fairly transparent. That's why I said that if you were to simply read a transcript of the debate, you would probably conclude that Bush won. Kerry's slick and polished style, though, will have an effect on people who really don't follow politics and the issues and just view the presidential race as not much more than a sporting event.

[dahvid]

I don't think that "joe sixpack" has any less common sense than me. I am not very politically astute. Perhaps you are and know better, but it sounds maybe perhaps a little condesending, not that I'm saying it is. I agree with you that media is a powerful medium. I hope that the average joe six isn't as sheepish as you suggest.