Watching the debate again...

[Guaranteed]

and so I'll SAY it again:

Kerry's performance was the best I've ever seen.

[Zen Democrat]

1. I agree. This wasn't about Bush. Kerry kicked him to the curb.

[zmdem]

2. Performance is relative

Kerry did best in the first debate and that was a very good thing for him. In debates 2 & 3, a tossup. On the whole, the debates helped Kerry. How Rove allowed Bush to go into debate #1 relatively unprepared is curious indeed.

[Guaranteed]

3. Just watch it again, and keep a very close eye on Kerry.

He was just perfect.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

4. I think Roveco really actually underestimated that many Americans

are REALLY CONCERNED about everything (Iraq, economy etc.) that is going on and are really watching this stuff closely to see if they think JK might be a better prez, and might not actually be satisfied about a bunch of Hannity/Limbaugh crapola talking points about "he's a librul!"

Go figure!

[Awsi Dooger]

5. It might have been equal to his first debate

Definitely superior to the second. The first debate probably had more sharp and stunning zinger lines that put Bush and his presidency in place, but people forget Kerry wobbled through the opening question with shaking hands, obviously very nervous.

Tonight he was solid on virtually every answer other than flu shots. It was great Kerry got to go second on that question. He was unprepared for the topic and I swear he never mentioned the word "flu" a single time, simply giving the standard health care dialogue.

If I had to choose among debates 1 and 3 for Kerry, it would be 1 based on his 30 second responses. Tonight Schieffer limited the number of 30 second followups. Kerry was absolutely devastating with them in debate 1.