[gop_gene]

I hate to say it but I think this poll may be a sign of things to come.

And I think you are right, no matter how much the hordes of others here try to delude themselves. I hate to say it, but this could be the beginning of a trend favoring Kerry. It feels that way to me in my gut, whereas, despite the "glowing" reviews and commentary Kerry got from the MSM after his convention, I didn't feel that sick feeling the way I did watching that debate.

I just don't see how Bush could lose that debate so badly and not have it erode his lead in the polls.

It will/has. And in the coming days I think more polls will bear that out, unfortunately.

My boss is a huge Bush fan, he lent me his copy of "Unfit for Command" and has been convinced that Kerry is unelectable. But after the debate he said he thinks Bush really blew it, and that the fraud Kerry might actually be able to BS his way into the White House. I couldn't disagree with him.

W. did blow a golden opportunity, one that will not come along again. It's going to be tough going from here on it, we may still be able to pull it off, but that's a dang shame when it could have been pretty much a done deal on Friday.

[defenderSD]

This poll doesn't mean anything because it's from Newsweek. That magazine has a heavy pro-Democrat bias and no doubt this poll has heavy sampling bias. Newsweek is always trying to undermine Bush and the GOP. Let's see what the other polls say before reaching any conclusions. I do believe, however, that Bush needs to present some new information to strengthen the case for invading Iraq--something like a statement from Libya about Iraqi nuclear scientists working on nuclear weapons in Libya. But I thought Bush did OK in the debate and Kerry was full of doubletalk. Kerry gave us some good new material to use in campaign ads. Also, the Swift Boat Vets are not finished yet and they are probably going to release a couple of new bombshells in October that may sink Kerry for good. In any event, it's better for GOP voters to think the race is close, to ensure maximum GOP turnout.

[Barlowmaker]

Your reply was thoughtful and articulate, but I don't see that you "get it". I'll send you a bottle of vintage wine if I'm wrong (FreepMail me) but your take on the prevailing body politik couldn't be more bass ackward IMO.