[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Bush is a true believer in the New Tone. As such, I think he was keeping his powder dry. You could tell he was less than thrilled with all the criticism, but his critic offered no substantive solutions--as such, Kerry proved tonight that he is part of the problem, not part of the solution--i.e., he was essentially non-presidential.

Early on I thought things were going to get pretty nasty, but I believe that Bush knows he had nothing to win by filleting, battering, and frying Kerry on nationwide TV.

[Let's Roll]

Thank you for your thoughtful response.

For many voters tonight - and early on tonight at that - will be their only exposure to the two candidates.

GWB has to act like he wants it.

I thought he did better in the 2000 debates. He was more relaxed because although he wanted it, he had no idea how high the stakes were ... he knows now.