[counterpunch]

John Kerry won the debate because he sounded better; and he sounded better in large measure because he got away with saying whatever any voter wanted to hear.

That is one reason President Bush looked so annoyed at times. It is very hard for the principled to listen to the unprincipled.

No, John Kerry won because Bush let him get away with it unchallenged! This was Bush's chance to talk to Americans who don't attend his rallies. Instead he just mechanically repeat his favorite well worn Kerry flip-flop lines.

If Bush was so annoyed by it, then why didn't he say exactly what it was that annoyed him so much? This was his chance to open the eyes of tens of millions of people who so far have not been paying that close attention.

I was annoyed that Bush didn't defend his policies. Policies that I believe in. He owes it to the millions and millions of supporters like myself. That wasn't just President Bush under attack up there, it was me and my country, too.

[Capitalism2003]

I really thought Bush missed a great opportunity to attack Kerry's record on defense. He didn't mention it once...What were they thinking during debate prep? If America knew that this man opposed Reagan virtually 100% of the time, he wouldn't stand a chance.