Does the homework include having a six-pack handy? I guess if I'm going to commit, I should have shots ready.

Aren't there only 3 debates scheduled for the presidential candidates?

I won't be watching tonight, since I think that most TV-era debates emphasize style over substance. That's especially true of these debates, which have been structured to promote a battle of the soundbites. In my opinion, you'd be better served by spending an hour or so on the internet, reading about what the candidates plan to do if elected.

Debates = house party opportunity!
Collect donations!
Don't just watch, work it laydeez!

LC - Yes. There are three presidential and once vice presidential. You must watch them all.

Joel - As usual, you're right. However I think it VERY unlikely that anyone undecided will do that (no offense intended to anyone). To use a debate term, there's no "clash" in these debates. They're soundbite opportunities at best.

Kerry kicked his ass. The GOP will have a hard time pursuing it strategy of ridicule, because Kerry just came across as solid, with none of the tics that brought Gore down in 2000. Bush, on the other hand, was noticeably tense. Bragging about his "certainty" could haunt him -- that was Kerry's best moment, where he said certainty isn't a virtue when you're wrong.

I thought Kerry's best moment was when he used a very Bush-esque folksy-ism in the "pottery barn" comment. "You break it, you own it." Something tells me James Carvel and the Clinton folks came up with that'un.

Yes, Kerry looked poised and calm and solid; Bush seemed flustered and frustrated at times. Plus I think I have to agree with one of the pundits a few days ago who said that while one of Bush's strong points is his abilty to "stay on message" (or as Anne Richards has said, "If you ask Bush what time it is, he answers 'Sadam is a tyrant and the world is safer without him' "), it seemed painfully obvious that Bush was simply regurgitating his talking points. I think a lot of undecideds would be leaning toward Kerry after tonight's debate.

Man, I certainly hope you're right, Jim. I thought that Bush had a real frightening deer-in-headlights look when he wasn't looking disturbingly smug.

This isn't like the debate I used to do/coach. I can't point to a particular argument and declare Kerry the victor. However, I certainly think that he gave people who were uncertain a much better understanding that he is more than merely "not Bush."

While it wasn't a knockout, Kerry did better than Bush. Bush came across a bit more informed than I expected him to be. He knew the rainy season was about to end in the Sudan, that was a surprise. Unfortunately Bush felt the need to stick to soundbites, 'wrong war, wrong time,' 'it's hard work,' etc.
Kerry did a great job of stating his policies (though w/o much detail) and I think was at his best when he pointed out that Bin Laden not Hussein attacked us. Bush had to butt in for a follow-up (something he did often, causing Kerry to ask whether the format was changing) saying 'of course I know Bin Laden attacked us.' Strange that he's so unconcerned with Bin Laden's whereabouts these days.

Best Kerry moment for me: 'Certainty can sometimes get you in trouble.'

And when Bush admitted he wanted to put the twins 'on a leash.' I bet that won him more young voters...not.

He said he wants to put the twins on a leash? What is he, Lynndie England?

...not one, not two, not even three but rather all of the presidential debates as well as the vice presidential debate

All of the presidential debates = 3. I'd like to see Edwards give Cheney a heart attack in their debate.

I wish Kerry had been more aggressive. He should have jumped all over Bush for downplaying the 2 failed UN resolutions to get Iraq to disarm and disclose. Kerry should have pinned him in that moment and emphasized Bush's failure to find the mythical WMDs - THE reason we went to war. If he'd pitched the war solely as liberating Iraqis from Saddam's tyranny, there's no way we would have gone over there.

So where's your analysis, mrw? Did you do your homework? ;)

Thank goodness for the Daily Show.

My feeling is that the person who was President while Abu Ghraib happened should really not be making jokes about putting anyone on a leash.

All of the presidential debates = 3 Riiight. But you need to watch "not three" but four debates. Whatever. I'm perhaps confused.

Kerry couldn't be more aggressive lest he turn off those who aren't, well, us. I thought his tone was pretty much perfect. He remained calm and respectfully accusatory while Bush got his dander up and looked pretty damn stupid. The "he didn't mention Poland!" quip was classic. I could explain to a six-year old that the "wrong war, wrong time" isn't derogatory to the troops but Bush seriously seems incapable of understanding the concept.

Kerry scored on all the points he wanted and, frankly, needed to. Bush really was no match. Frankly I was throwing things and drinking more Maker's Mark when Bushie started talking about "we need to stick to the plan" in Iraq but Kerry didn't call him out on the fact that there is no plan whatsoever.

I'm surprised that no one's giving more play to the patently absurd argument that Bush made about us winning the ground war in Iraq "too quickly" and not killing the terrorists en route. If true (and it's not) that certainly indicates that it was/is a war without a strategy. However, the real reason is certainly due to the fact that a "group of folks" are coming to Iraq simply because we're there.

I was a bit puzzled and disappointed by JK's comment about WMDs "going across the border every day." It didn't make much sense and I'm still not sure what he was talking about.

Yeah, wasn't the leash comment bizarre? Did you see Kerry make a face when Bushie said that? Coupled with the nervous laugh that W. let out? Bizarre.

I'm thinking there are tens of thousands of dirty creepy internet obsessives who wouldn't mind the Bush girls on a leash either.

And probably a few dudes at their respective alma maters who did get them on a leash shortly after the keg ran dry.

Anyway. I thought Kerry kicked ass but that it wasn't gonna make a huge impact...I think bush was TERRIBLE but i don't think he screwed it up in a way that can hurt him. nor did Kerry have the kidn of knockout moment(s) that would have given him the win.

having said that, kerry was SO great and bush was SO petulant, flustered & defensive...my fave moment was when kerry quoted bush sr.'s book. KICK ASS.

1. I was pleasantly surpised that the debate was as solid as it turned out. I was prepared for a battle of the soundbites, but there was actually a little substance, and even a little clash. Not as much of either as I'd like to see, but beggars can't be choosers.
2. I was mildly surprised by how competent Bush seemed. I was expecting him to simply try to get by on being "folksy."
3. That said, Kerry shone head and shoulders above bushie. I was pretty scared that he'd confuse people with his intelligence and tendency to over-explain. Instead, he seemed fairly down to earth.
4. I found it hysterical when Bush tried to establish a definition of terms. When he said, "I don't know what you mean by 'Pass the Global test," I laughed out loud.
5. The whole experience made me miss grad school, Ed and Shelley, and sitting around their living room coding all the 1992 debates. Sigh.