I think a lot of the angst on this board is by people who bought into the pre-debate hype where the media build up W (mainly so that Kerry couldn't help but exceed expectations).
There was a lot of talk on this board of how "Bush is going to kick Kerry's ass" at the debates.
I was not one of those people. I remember what I saw of W in the debates with Gore. W is simply not a very good debater, he wasn't then and he isn't now.
I fully expected Kerry to win the style points coming in. But he didn't win the debate, in the end he did not persuade anyone that wasn't already in his camp.
Exactly right. I guess that's why I don't feel esp. "good" or "bad" about how things went tonight. IOW, I think Bush came across as most people kind of expected -- some hemming and hawing, but lots of heart. I certainly don't think it was the catastrophe some people are making it out to be. Kerry was glib and smooth and he'll probably (finally) see a bit of a bounce after tonight, but I don't think it will be substantial enough or last long enough to win the election.