This, to my knowledge, is the first series of debates in recent

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

memory NOT dominated by some stupidass soundbite.

"Where's the beef"
"You're no Jack Kennedy" (although that one was good)
"There you go again/I paid for this microphone"

Shrubya did have his slouching/scowling which was this season's equivalent of the Gore sigh/eyerolling. But overall, despite the tendency towards scriptedness in answers (ESP BUSH), the debates were more memorable for the actual debates themselves than the stupidass zinger factor.

That is a victory of sorts... And I hope it is followed by the ultimate victory.

[Radio-Active]

1. the reason for that...

the stupid rules prevented any real zingers from taking place.

[nikatnyte]

2. Perhaps, but still there's

"You forgot Poland!"
"Want some wood?"
"I know Osama attacked us! I know that!"

[jean]

3. The ubiquitous bulge may supercede all stupid ass soundbites

The only bush soundbites I can think of are wrong war wrong place wrong time, or you can run but you can't hide.

What bush did not say might be the strongest reason for his slippery slide down the tubes that is about to commence.

It's about all they have left to talk about after the yapping over Mary Cheney stops.

Kerry outted Mary Cheney!!! But say, how about that bulge?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

4. Yeah, the shrubya soundbites were NEGATIVE ones, against him.

"It's Hard Work/Mixed Messages" etc.

[shawmut]

5. I think not allowing for applause from the audience helps to prevent that

I'm glad they had to stay quiet.

[intheflow]

6. Except for Tony Soprano bit

Score one for Johnny K.