Folks, this was like Michael Jordan throwing 4 touchdowns in a Super Bowl.

[MallRat]

I don't know how many of you have seen Kerry debate before, but I can tell you one thing after his performance last night: he has to be one of the most versatile debaters I have ever seen.

The legendary Kerry-Weld debates of 1996 were amazing. Kerry (and Weld, too) were intelligent, articulate, and they demonstrated an encyclopedic knowledge of the facts to support their arguments and undermine their opponents'. It was almost a debate of academicians- rich with facts, figures, flowery prose, and multisyllabic words.

Last night, John Kerry showed that he could actually unlearn one method of debating and then adopt and master a completely different one.

His responses were crisp, succinct, plain-spoken, to-the-point, and soundbite-friendly. He kept the facts and figures to the bare minimum and focused on refining and reinforcing a handful of important messages.

In other words, he debated like an articulate, calm, more intelligent version of President Bush.

This is like Tiger Woods picking up a tennis racquet and winning Wimbledon. I can't begin tell you how impressed I am with our guy this morning.

-MR

[Demi_Babe]

1. agreed

[MallRat]

2. Do you think Bush could ever debate in Kerry's usual style?

Survey says, BUZZZZZZZZZZZ!!

;-)

[Phillycat]

3. He held back on his natural intelligence, it was obvious.

To me, it looked like he spent the entire debate holding in the utter brilliance he has exhibited on so many occasions, and striving to be plainspoken and succinct. And he did a fantastic job. The guy can speak, think, and react circles around Bush, it's just obvious.

[MallRat]

4. He had to fight the urge to be esoteric... he succeeded beautifully.

Just amazing.