Post-debate pundits favor Kerry, but it's only Act I

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The first presidential debate is done, and pundits have awarded the victory to Sen. John Kerry over President Bush. For now, that is.

NBC anchor Tom Brokaw described Kerry's resurgence Thursday night by paraphrasing F. Scott Fitzgerald's comment about no second acts in American lives: "But there are second acts in American politics."

Let the jubilant candidate beware, however. There also are second acts in the American media.

-snip-

In 2000, Vice President Al Gore won higher marks than Bush in Gallup viewer polls after each of the three debates. The immediate conclusion by many media observers was similar, although Bush was given credit for exceeding expectations.

Over subsequent days, however, Gore's performance was revisited. Pundits seized on his sighs, his eye-rolling and his wooden demeanor. These qualities, in turn, became damning fodder for late-night comedy sketches and the Bush campaign.

The eventual perception, particularly among voters who had not watched the debates, was that Gore actually had lost them.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002052234_kay02.html

[The Chronicler]

1. Kerry didn't do any of that, though.

He is getting positive post-debate press that Gore NEVER got. Kerry's performance was a huge uplift in the campaign. In the first, most-watched debate, Kerry hit a homerun. It is huge I think.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

2. I tend too agree

I just posted this to make sure none of us get too cocky.

[union_maid]

3. Yeah, I'd agree with that

Gore won on substance. He was not better than Bush on demeanor and style. Gore's wasn't as good as Kerry's and Bush's wasn't as bad is it is now.

[CarolynEC]

4. In fact, this time it's Bush's frowning and grimacing...

... that's getting all the attention, from the "news" shows to the late-night monologues.

He's got the worst of both worlds -- funny faces, no substance.

All the while, everyone is talking about how JK looked like The President.

Powerful stuff!

And while I agree we shouldn't get overconfident, we SHOULD continue to talk up JK's win, talk about how in just that one debate, America came to realize that he'll make a very capable commander-in-chief indeed.

:)

[The Chronicler]

5. yes, it is ironic as hell (nm)