Kerry won the debate, however.......................

[Cheswick2.0]

I think he missed several oportunities. The first one was his answer on tort reform. His answer was confusing and it seemed like he was avoiding the question. Does he believe in caps on awards or not and if not why didn't he say so and explain to people why they are not the solution.
The other mistake he made was on the environment. I knew where he was going, but he was not clear. Other people needed to have bushes bad record spelled out for them. Kerry's comments seemed a little muddled.

By the end of the night he seemed tired and he didn't seem as "in control" as he did at the first debate. He still made chimpy look like he needed to be caged. But I think he was better in the first debate.

[AussieDave]

1. I agree - Kerry WAS better in the first debate

but I think Kerry so dominated then that the second and third will seem lackluster by comparison. The "town hall" format was better for the chimp, but he still seems to be waiting for the rapturous ovations that he gets in his invitation-only Nuremberg rallies.

Thinking people would have seen the differences between the two candidates - the rubes would have been checking Kerry's cuticles.

[Cheswick2.0]

3. yes thinking people will see that Kerry won

Still I don't think he gave his best answers and I think he needs to rest for several days before the next one.

[trotsky]

2. And still not a solid answer on the $87 billion vote.

He came closer with that one than he did in the first debate, this time at least mentioning that he wanted to pay for it without passing it along as debt. But the fact that * threatened a VETO of it unless it was funded the way he wanted - THAT'S the point to hammer home. I'm disappointed Kerry missed that again.

But all in all, another debate win. I'll take it. :)

[Cheswick2.0]

4. you are right about the 87 billion dollar answer

maybe they think people won't get it? Still it is a pretty simple answer.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. True he could have said, the president threatened to veto it

Does that mean he was against it, then for it? No..he was only against having multi millionaires demonstrate their patriotism by helping America pay for it in our time of need.

[Cheswick2.0]

9. you are either up very late or very early

Good morning!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. early and can't get back to sleep

:grr: g'mornin

[AussieDave]

11. In the limited-time format

perhaps Kerry couldn't do justice to the explanation - but then I guess the rubes don't have that kind of attention-span (longer than five seconds).

[alphafemale]

5. I think Kerry was just right. If he'd relentlessly hammered every point...

The "librul media" would have accused him of being a hot-headed "meanie."

[Cheswick2.0]

8. I don't think he should be hammering ever point

I just think he missed some good ones. I want him to rest before the next debate, he has been working so hard. He has to knock the ball out of the park on the next debate because that is the one people will remember.

[jerryster]

13. N/S

Although I agree with you on one hand about the need for rest (Dukakis didn't, he caught the flu and was sick for the last debate with Senior) there is a problem. Bush, I believe, has no intention of resting. He can't afford to since he knows he's in trouble, having seen his lead evaporate. He'll be in every state he can. I don't know that Kerry can let him campaign without doing so himself.

[secular_warrior]

15. Agree. Can't hammer every point.

Kerry can't simply hammer every point (even though some want him to do that) because he will come across as someone who is all criticism/pessimism but no solutions... like a fly buzzing around Bush, obsessed with everything he does.

What Kerry did successfully in the first debate is to hit on the points he wanted to make, which worked into his overall theme. Although it doesn't seem as "agressive", the theme approach is much more powerful.

Also, Kerry was much more crisp and clear in the first debate. He started to slide back into the "senate speak" a little bit last night, although he was still very good.

[liberal N proud]

7. Word Count: Some one should take a look at the words each candidate said

Analyze the word count for each candidate:
How many words total in the speech.
How many repeat words.
How many non-words
What was the content?
Kerry would most likely come across as the winner here.

[psychopomp]

12. Excellent points on this thread

Great input, Y'all.

Mr. Kerry, get some rest before the final pulverizing of the shrimp!

[mzmolly]

14. "MY" however(s) ....

is when Bush said he'd captured 75% of Al Qaida :eyes: Riiiight George. Kerry should have challenged him noting the massive number of new recruits.

Also, Kerry needs to float PNAC and the nation building effort that will ensue with GWB and his PNAC cabinet. :hi:

But, he did great overall!