I don't think Bush did all that bad - he was pretty good.  But for sure, Kerry came across really well - he didn't seem like he was supposed to be like - he seemed like a determined guy to me.

Probbably since they were busy watching the debate & not jumping to conclusions based upon preconceived notions.  What a novel concept!

Is Kerry the better debater?  Sure, I'll concede that point - 20 years in the senate without sponsoring a bill and yet being able to keep your job will make you the better debater if posturing accounts for anything.

Did Kerry deliver a knockout punch?  No.  Did Bush do well?  Time will tell.

It seems the polls are showing that Kerry won the debate, however, the same people polled when asked if it has changed their potential vote, said no.

Kerry needed a knockout, and it didn't happen.  I thought the most telling couple of lines in the whole transcript were:

"No president, through all of American history, has ever ceded, and nor would I, the right to preempt in any way necessary to protect the United States of America.

But if and when you do it, Jim, you have to do it in a way that passes the test, that passes the global test where your countrymen, your people understand fully why you're doing what you're doing and you can prove to the world that you did it for legitimate reasons."

Maybe someone could explain to me how a President  would exercise the right to "preempt in any way necessary to protect the United States of America" while he is busy trying to decide how our actions would pass a "global test" before he reacts?

"Global test", Chirac and Schroeder's approval?

KCSHYGUY,  "GOT HIS ASS WAXED, BUFFED,& POLISHED!!!"  Hardly!  It changed nothing.  I don't think anybody has denied that Kerry is a slick talker, its just that he really doesn't say much while he is slick.

John Kerry beat President Bush in the debate.  Bush has never been eloquentand he has a problem with his speech. I know a lot of people that are very intellectual who are not quick with the comeback or who stammer.  It's damn frustrating but I do not judge the man because of this.  I clearly heard Kerry state that he would go for "global" approval when defending the U.S.A. in any preemptive action.  That bothers the hell out of me as I have no confidence in the U.N., never have and probably never will.  I would like to know how much was smuggled or blatently shipped out of Iraq in the many months that the U.N. and certain nations stalled our going into Iraq. Oh, and France.. Fuck France.

Most of Americans agree that Kerry beat President Bush in the debate and some choose not to admit it, however, Kerry's message still goes against many.  Besides, is the purpose of the debate such that the winner wins the prize..The Presidency?  No, the purpose is that positions, plans of action and such are to come out.

Kerry Won!!! But I could give a shit, just like the polls!

But that's not to say he came out good from it.  

/Zin