The questions sucked. Bush missed a couple of opportunities and allowed Kerry to leave some impressions that are just flat wrong. Personally, I don't think Bush was as effective as he normally is but he seemed tired.
Objectively, I don't see a real winner here - not in terms of just this debate. Bush got in some weak licks and Kerry was allowed to get by with saying a couple of things that went unanswered. Two glaring issues are that - 1. We haven't left Afghanistan - we're still there. 2. We didn't get France and Germany's assistance and weren't going to get it because they were trying to hide what they'd been doing in Iraq. The president also gave Kerry room to wiggle off the hook on the matter of 'I voted for it before I voted against it'. Leaving that unanswered when Kerry weasled out was akin to saying - okay that was just a debate tactic, I surrender the point...
Kerry was effective in presenting his message; but, dishonest in his presentation. How that is recieved will depend on how much the public really knows and how much they trust Kerry. And I'm not talking about the Koolaid drinkers.
Overall, Nothing to write home about. Kerry, regardless of the fact that he's a liar, is a strong debator. That he managed to come out of this debate with what is essentially a draw, speaks bad for both of these two.
I will say this, the president seemed tired and still did reasonably well so I don't see this hurting him on it's own. The next one will leave a mark if he let's things slide like he did on this one. And it's probably best that this is done now. In three weeks, it's doubtful it will be remembered. The debate on the economy will be closer to election time and that stands a real chance of hurting. If this plays the way I expect it to. Bush will be on the defensive. He should be on the offensive.
Kerry: "I've never wilted". HA!