kerry owned the crap out of the polls--everyone's saying he won, and even the conservatives are saying things like "Kerry won on style, but Bush on substance!" (ie, "Kerry won but Bush's politics are MORE RIGHT").
I'm about halfway through watching the debate now and I'm completely surprised that Kerry is doing so well!
on MSNBC, after each question, you can vote on who answered it better. Every single one so far (four questions), Kerry has won around 70% to Bush's around 30%.
interesting. the impression @ this house was that bush was really speaking to the 'my vote cancels out every 2 of yours' type of shitkicker. i'm glad to be wrong, if these polls are saying anything.
the oh shit moment for me was on the very first question to bush, which he completely sidestepped. i think it was the "would america be more susceptible to a terrorist attack of mr kerry is elected?"
essentially: "well he's not going to be elected! blah blah blah"
haha yeah about the sidestep, but i think Bush kept stuttering and faltering and rambling ("well i don't know how kerry's going to pay...pay for...well...that's for another debate..uhhhhhh........") and his sidesteps were clumsy and obvious--he hasn't yet managed to seize control of the debate at all.
Bush is going to look even more hopelessly dazed in the economic debate, unless his strategists find a way to make his clumsiness look endearing again...
that's the thing...this was supposed to be his STRENGTH.
I suspect even if he wins reelection, the next four years and beyond will be filled with tell all tomes by former staff members detailing his lack of ability to focus, and how he essentially was an empty suit for corporate interests.
man one of the funniest parts of this debate was when Bush was like "First of all, of course I know Osama bin Laden attacked us. (long pause. weakly insistent I know that."
I can't do it justice here but I encourage you to watch that bit.
the whole time bush had the feel that he was trying to wing it after being out too late at a keg party the night before and then waking up in the bushes an hour before the debate started.