Let's avoid the low expectations for Bush trap.

[genius]

Let's raise expectations for him so that he won't win by doing a little better than Thursday night.

Let's talk about how he must have been off Thursday night but we are certain he will cream Kerry next week. Let's talk about the idea of Kerry winning two debates being far-fetched and something that could only happen if Kerry is super-human.

Keep the expetations for Kerry really low for next week.

[tritsofme]

1. There's no way to heighten expectations

with a straight face after that disaster Thursday night.

[genius]

2. Lie. Bush would do it.

[Momof1]

3. I totally agree with you, I wanted to post about it all day

but was afraid. After the debate, if * sounds like he has an inkling of WTF is going on in the next 2 debates, he will be declared the winner.

And then throw in all those topics that * just loves, God, Gays & Guns...

Rove will not let * make the same mistakes again. I think we are being over confident. Kerry did a great job, but we still have a month to go, and then throw in the "Surprises"....

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled beyond belief after last night, but...with all the talking heads agreeing that * was miserable last night....there is an ace up the sleeve some where.

That whore Joe Scarborough, sounded like he was going to vote for Kerry tonight..., that alone made me feel uneasy. The October surprise is going to be big.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. We MUST do this!

Maybe we should start talking ourselves about Bush being worn out from ministering to the hurricane victims --

[PermanentRevolution]

5. The next debate...

The town hall one is going to be our roughest one. Bush can crank out the folksy charm and squeak by without addressing any real issues. But the domestic policy debate is going to be another rout. All we'll hear from Bush is "tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts." And I believe Kerry's got the right answers together to beat him, especially since Bush usually seems more incoherent and disjointed when talking about domestic issues. The real problem for both, like you said, is that after last night the expectations for Bush are pretty low. But are we really relying on media spin to help us anymore? If Kerry can hold his own in the town-hall (I really think the media is going to give Bush the advantage on this one) and deliver the grand-slam on domestic policy, we should be able to keep a wave of momentum rolling through Nov. 2nd, no matter what the spin is.

But I could be wrong. So...

*clears throat*

Saying Bush "lost" is a little misleading. To be fair, Bush was tired from all his hurricane-damage tours. Before last night, he'd never lost a debate, so it's safe to say last night was a fluke brought on by over-exertion. He'll get his head back in the game and deliver the killing blow that everyone expected him to give last night. Bush is a strong closer, and Kerry's campaigns always disintegrate in the final month.

Can I stop now? Writing stuff like this always causes involuntary muscle spasms. I think it's my body fighting against the signals my brain is forcing on it.

[genius]

10. Also Bush backer Gallup will be choosing the audience & questions

[Droopy]

6. I'm so skeered

Bush is just too much for Kerry. We'll be lucky if Kerry is still alive after the next debate.

[nolabels]

7. This sound like a good idea to me

This is a perfect time to be ambushed, we have dealt with this stuff for so many years we all should know by now that there is never a good time to let down your guard.

A few more weeks are left so this is no time.

Them poor souls that are over in Iraq don't get to let their guard down why should we?

Be careful, them bastards have always been full of dirty tricks

[fujiyama]

8. I agree completely

Bush plays this expectations game exceptionally well. Our pols and pundits have to go on these shows and say that they expect Bush to come back in top form and keep repeating this "Bush is a great debater" nonsense.

[durablend]

9. My prediction...

Karl Rove will throw a chair at Kerry from off-stage, complain about some rule being broken, and * will be declared the winner.