I think one of the big factors is he was so dang tired (did you see how much water he was drinking?!), emotionally and physically, from being out in the hot Florida sun surveying the hurricane damage and comforting the victims. And I do think he was definitely, as you mentioned, overprepped to the point where he had so much things stuffed into his head that it threw him off. Either that, or he was underprepared--it's as if he thought he could go in and just repeat the same stuff without having the points at hand to back it up, and it'd be enough. That won't work next week. Plus, I think he might have been hemmed in by his advisors wanting him to take a nonconfrontative approach so as not to turn off the swingers, a strategy that if you ask me, clearly did not work and on top of that, served to dismay his supporters.
Bush did a lot better at this debate, but I think Kerry beat him. Bush obviously has the upper hand, because he is right, I just dont think he is showing it enough.
Agreed 100% on that tiredness. He was out all that day surveying the hurricane damage. Which translates to me, he was doin' his job. Good man.
There were a lot of reports in the week before the debate that he was being coached in preparation for the debate so I'd tend to think over-coaching because of that. But, I do also wholeheartedly agree with you about that noncombativeness. Not sure if that was some advice he got or what but it just doesn't work well for him. I like to see the same guy who said he was accused of swaggering but in Texas we call it walkin'.
I think our president has a natural, comfortable way with people myself and when he lets the assertiveness come through his humility shows also. I am hoping to see that next week also.
While Kerry was resting and having a manicure.
Following the first debate, did you hear ANY talking head mention what President Bush had been doing all day?
I didn't. It infuriated me.