Substance in The Debate Show

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A TV review of the US presidential debate could have mostly been written before airtime. And it was, by many critics. There were no surprises in this 90-minute quiz show co-starring President George W. Bush and his Democratic challenger, Senator John Kerry. For days, the importance of the debate had been drummed by the media in lively terms.

The most radical departure from the contract's terms were the networks' frequent split-screen shots, showing one candidate's response to the other's remarks. While Senator Kerry spoke, Mr Bush more than once was glimpsed blinking and looking annoyed. While Mr Bush spoke, Senator Kerry often appeared to scribble notes.

"John Kerry was clearly aware that the camera might always be on him," said CNN's Jeff Greenfield, who added that, to a viewer confronting the two images, "it does seem to me that John Kerry looked - and I hate this phrase - as presidential as the president." Who won? It was a question networks couldn't help making guesses about. Instant polls by ABC and CBS gave the night to Senator Kerry.

"The Bush team was hoping for a knockout blow, even if they didn't say so," ABC's George Stephanopoulos said. "They didn't get it." On Fox News Channel, conservative commentator Bill Kristol conceded, "Kerry did pretty well, and I think we're gonna have a real presidential race", while even a grudging Fred Barnes conceded that Senator Kerry's performance would encourage disgruntled Democrats, so "you will hear a lot less complaining and, at least in the short run, that will help the Kerry campaign".

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,10938514%255E1702,00.html

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1. Bush Lost!