The important subtext during the debate was

[PCIntern]

1. Kerry nodded and wrote 'answering points' while * was speaking. This came off as a positive, constructive approach to the function of the debate: to accept the other person's precepts as though they have merit in and of themselves and then counter them with precepts better founded in logic and fact.

2. Kerry's manner was positive at all times - a slight smile during negativity works. Just ask any car salesman when your spouse starts getting in the way of the close. They never get defensive, they smile, nod, and counter or assist in a resolution.

3. Kerry just had to drop his ending "g's". Nothin', buildin', hopin', are examples of how he appeared 'folksy' without fraudulence. I betcha Edwards told him to do this. Edwards, a brilliant tactician, debater, and rhetoritician doesn't need to speak like he's from Appalachia but he does. It works with a Southern accent, you can fake it a bit - which Kerry did brilliantly - when you're from the North.

4. Kerry repeated the phrase "I can do Better" many times. That gets into the brains of individuals who are looking for who's going to do better. Brilliant move. Bush of course can't say that becasue he's saddled with a form of the incumbency. What Bush should say is that since he was never really elected President, that he's the challenger and that the Gore Administraton has really made a mess of things, or as he would say "made a mess o'things."

[displacedtexan]

1. What JK was doing is called "flowing the debate."

In the real world, debates are won by taking notes while your opponent speaks (this is called flowing) and refuting each statement when it's your turn to speak.

JK did exactly that.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

2. Gee, Bush could do that, too ...

if he could write & read...
At least he could pretend...

[indef]

3. not just about Kerry

Most of Kerry's strategy has to be about who he is, but he also has to continue painting Bush as one who is quick to emotion and off the cuff - and who really wants a C-in-C that has those traits? Kerry was able to do some of that in round 1, and he has to press this for the rest of the campaign, that Bush's judgement is influenced by a short temper and faulty stubborness.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

4. I have noticed that Kerry has also improved a lot in bringing to

his speeches a more conversational, down-to-earth tone rather than the senatorial-sounding tone he had. He is working hard at everything and Bush is not. They must have spent hours trying to get Bush to stop making those bitchy faces, but he just couldn't do it.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

7. *'s pissy faces were aimed at RoveCo

for convincing him that Kerry would be a pushover.
Bush was saying, "Who *is* this guy? Where's Kerry?"

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

8. It reminded me of what I heard Tom Daschle said in his book

That the first time he met Bush was after the election and the guy was so insane, jerky and arrogant that he said "I hope you'll never lie to me." to Daschle. Probably, as far as Bush knows, what he is told to say is the truth and he probably thinks the Democrats and anybody else who disagrees with him is a big liar.

The press has not called him on his lies and deceptions and everybody who has challenged him has been smeared and ignored, so why should he think differently?

[wishlist]

5. Kerry is brilliant- he has improved his image and likeability remarkably

Kerry's demeanor has been perfect, he is reasonable and not arrogant and offers constructive criticism. He is respectful and dignified but not either waffling or haughty or aloof. Kerry is being revealed as the opposite of the negative images that the media and Buscho have tried to foist on the public to turn voters against Kerry.

[MrBenchley]

6. The emotional subtext was overwhelming

Kerry came across as a calm, reasoning adult...and pResident Twitch came across as a spoiled kid trying to make excuses to the teacher about why he hadn't done his homework ("He forgot Poland!")

[PCIntern]

9. wishlist:

You make an excellent point. The media with their indictments of Kerry's character and mannerisms so poisoned the atmosphere that they set the bar frighteningly low. This played against Bushco ironically and when Kerry didn't use words like antidisestablishmentarianism, he won on sheer relief points.

Who'da thunk that the press was so brilliant as to set * up like that? We always knew it was a liberal bunch out there.

[C_U_L8R]

10. And Kerry was a closer !!

Kerry gave a very very strong close
to the debate and asked for your vote.

Bunnypants merely fumbled through surreal
visions of mountains and valleys below

No wonder Georgie was such a bad business person.
It's basic sales 101...... A. B. C. Always Be Closing.
First prize is leadership of the free world.
Second prize is a set of steak knives.

[PCIntern]

11. Welcome to DU

True - Rovester violating every rule of sales. Bad close, poor demonstraton, obvious dissembling...the lists go on and on.

[Peanut Gallery]

12. "a slight smile during negativity works"

Agreed, Kerry was gracious and composed the entire time in spite of Bush's goading. It's like that old writing adage "show, not tell." Kerry showed presidential leadership while Bush could only describe it (in a defensive, childish way).