I was not that impressed with the debate tonight.

[Cascadian]

I am sorry to say that this was the worst of all of the debates. I wished Kerry would have been more forceful especially with the topic of drugs from Canada. Plus I did not like the way Bob Schieffer played moderator. He was obviously biased towards Bush Boy. The worst part was the mushy feely bit about the wives. Did we really need that? And of course Bush changing the subjects and looking like he usually does. Kerry should have squashed him right there.

I really hope it does work to Kerry's favor but I cannot help but think it was not a good performance tonight. Just my opinion.


John

[Cascadian]

1. kick

[DrFunkenstein]

2. No Need For Firebreathing - He Looked Presidential

Too harsh would turn off fence-sitters. Sorry, but it's true.

[zmdem]

11. Yep, you got it

Both candidates did fine. Both knew the important thing was not to flub the last debate, as Bush did the first. Kerry met the "can you picture me as president" standard, Bush articulated his policies.

Again, on the merits, a draw. In presidential debates, the draw goes to the challenger, like in baseball. Kerry helped himself in these debates, but didn't deliver a knockout blow.

Nov. 2 will be an interesting night, short of some surprise.

[goodwalt]

3. Just had a house full o' Dems

over to watch the debate. I mostly agree with your reaction, but I was the only one here (my wife thought it was a meaningless tie). And with the exception of one CNN poll, the numbers I've seen seem to reflect a Kerry win as well.

I think my reaction is due to one of three things. 1) My expectations were way to high, I really expected Kerry to smoke him on the domestic numbers tonight. 2) My opinion of the persuadable voter is way to low. I KNEW, because I actually read newspapers and pay attention to politics that numbers and Pollyanna sound bites thrown out by * were bullshit. But because * didn't breakdown into spasms of idiot repetition like the first debate, and maintained a relatively straight faced demeanor throughout, that most voters couldn't tell the difference. 3) it is still too early, and the ultimate debate numbers haven't come home to roost yet.

I don't agree that the questions were biased. Yes, a couple were gooey softballs- like the "strong women" question, but I thought the rest ranged from obvious to good. The questions going to pro-choice/right to life justices, affirmative action, and especially the assault weapons ban were meaty and direct. Don't fob this one off on the messenger- we demean all of our legitimate gripes against the media if we stretch it too far. Here is hoping that the best answer is #1 or #2.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

The moderator sucked not Kerry

2 questions to feed the rabid religious right but not a single question about the environment?

[Randi_Listener]

4. I WAS impressed.

Kerry, once again, body slammed Fuckface to the mat. That is never boring. Kerry out maneuvered and easily battled Fuckee.

[progressivebydesign]

5. Thought Kerry did great... but that Canadian drug thing.

I was yelling at Kerry when it was his turn to speak, after Bush talked about how the we were going to get CANADIAN flu vaccines. If Kerry had been paying attention, that was a sure fire slam dunk. He could have mentioned, forcefully, that Bush had said many times, and in the last debates, that medicine from Canada may not be safe, and that's why we can't have it here!

[allalone]

6. yeah bush ya trying to kill us?

[BurtWorm]

7. Kerry did not open strong, but he closed wickedly.

Kind of like the way he's been running his campaign. He started repeating things he had said in the last two debates, which made me wonder what he was thinking. But he started hitting his stride mid-debate--considering the questions he had to work with, and the ridiculous time limits. I would have liked to see him smack Bush upside the head for all that trash talking about Massachusetts. What is it with those fucking preppy Connecticut Yankholes the Bushes and their Massophobia?! Why do Americans allow their "president" to trash a whole state?! What kind of fucking asshole "president" is that schmuck?

Anyway, Kerry turned a number of oportunities around to his best advantage--for example Bush's fumbling Schieffer's fumble of a question about litmus tests for te SC. And his closing statement was a masterpiece. That's what the president of the United States should sound like when addressing the American people.

[montana500]

8. John Kerry isn't Howard Dean.....

He's a skillful surgeon slicing apart the Bush campaign.

The "I dont think much about Bin Laden" comment, and the exposing of the right wing anger and hypocricy by mentioning cheney's daughter.

[T Town Jake]

9. Guess we weren't watching the same debate...

...I was quite impressed. Kerry clearly won - and now it's 3 for 3. The surge will only continue after tonight, and we're going to win in a walk.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

10. I agree with your comments 100%...Kerry CLEARLY won tonight.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

12. I wasn't either but Kerry still clearly won

he is simply that much better than Bush.

His mentioning that bin Laden handbook advising how to puchase AK-47s was a homerun, as was his defense of raising the minimum wage to get more "CONSUMPTION POWER" into the economy.

Kerry's substance is simply SO complete and substantial that he is laying it on you and you don't even realize it. Besides his demeanor was SOOOO much better and Presidential than frat boy that he just couldn't possibly lose.