Expectations have been lowered for Bush and raised for Kerry in the next debate. Whether deliberate or not, Bush has a week to review Kerry (and the liberal moderator's) approach and get ready for his own attack. This debate set the stage for what to look for. The next debate will start to firm opinions for any true undecideds.
With the 527's, the experience of the DUI surprise in 2000, and any other manner of surprises/diversions left, a month from now, this debate will have meant little in the final outcome. I still have faith that Rove and crew have some heavy artillery in reserve but I also have no doubt more crap will be tossed at Bush.
If there is any solace for both the optimists and the pessimists, its that the election is already in the Lord's hands. Win or lose, joy or frustration, we must trust that his plan is better than any that we could imagine.
I've read 10,000 posts on this topic in the last few hours. Of all of them, yours sums up my thoughts most exactly. In every respect.
I believed that in Floriduh in 2000, and I was right. :)