The part that left me shaking my head

[CornField]

Why did the debate moderator feel the need to push Bush* to make a statement?

LEHRER: Thirty seconds, Mr. President.

BUSH: You know my opinion on North Korea. I can't say it any more plainly.

LEHRER: Well, but when he used the word "truth" again...

BUSH: Pardon me?

LEHRER: ... talking about the truth of the matter. He used the word "truth" again. Did that raise any hackles with you?

BUSH: Oh, I'm a pretty calm guy. I don't take it personally.

LEHRER: OK. All right.

BUSH: You know, we looked at the same intelligence and came to the same conclusion: that Saddam Hussein was a grave threat.

And I don't hold it against him that he said grave threat. I'm not going to go around the country saying he didn't tell the truth, when he looked at the same intelligence I did.

KERRY: It was a threat. That's not the issue. The issue is what you do about it.

[TexasLady]

1. My favorite part of the debate

and what NAILED it firmly for Kerry IMO.

[calico1]

3. I'm so glad Leher was the one chosen

to moderate this particular debate. It was a crucial one for Kerry and needed a fair moderator and one who wouldn't throw softballs at *.

[sui generis]

2. yeah that was weird

I think he was attempting to provoke a reaction from Bush -- the media goal was to get one side or the other to use the word "liar" in a sentence.