Bush was totally unprepared and it showed.

[lpbk2713]

No doubt he thought his skills as a bullshit artist would get him by but it didn't work for him this time. He has been spoiled from having screened audiences at his previous BS sessions. This was his handlers' biggest mistake, they grossly underestimated his mental agility. He has no experience with a crowd that won't praise the emperor's new clothes. The next two debates will be about the same or worse because Shit-for-Brains is just too dumb for Rove to teach him any debating skills in the short time remaining. This is why the RWers are now starting to downplay the importance of the debates and the polls.

[Not Me]

1. The lack of press conferences and appearances before hand picked

supporters have made him SO unable to handle a tough question...and it showed in spades last night.

[benburch]

2. More frightening than that!

That was a FULLY PREPARED Bush we saw last night.

That is as good as he can do!

[napi21]

5. My thoughts too! This as good as he gets!!!

That's what happens when someone is shielded from all things adverse to your ideas. A few weeks of people you know asking rough questions can't prepare you for the real thing!

I had heard his handlers were very concerned that he would loose his temper, as he usually does whe some confronts him with something he doesn't like. Well, at least he didn't yell, stomp his feet, and walk off the stage!

[displacedtexan]

3. I'm sure he cheated his way through school...

and paid someone to take entrance exams for him (back in the day, it was easy to get away with that).

It was obvious last night that Bush* had crammed for this debate, but real knowledge and understanding will trump last-minute cramming every time.

Don't forget! Foreign Policy is supposed to be Bush*'s strong suit.

[On the Road]

4. He Was Prepared for a Cakewalk, Not a Debate

He didn't expect to be challenged by both the moderator and the opponent. He's out of his element -- he's not tough, he's not a survivor, and he can't come from behind.

[gratuitous]

6. Don't misunderestimate Chimpy

He will come back in the next debate much more prepared and loaded for bear. He will cut out the petulant facial expressions, if Rove has to hook up electrodes to his nuts. He will be far more ready for Debate #2. As little as I respect Stupidhead, he's got a low cunning that always allows him to scrape by, and he will learn from his poor performance last night.

Fightin' is rounds. This is a scheduled 15-rounder, and we're at about Round 9, which is fast winding down. It was a good round for Kerry, but there's lots of fight left.