I think that Kerry had a very forceful showing in tonight’s debate (I was watching on PBS at the j-school).
– He was articulate, clear, and didn’t get into long-winded answers.
– He was polite, and listened attentively to Bush.
– Bush committed the same error that Gore did in the 2000 debates, he jumped in right after Kerry spoke. Of course, Gore actually interrupted, and Bush didn’t, but Bush seemed ready to pounce on whatever Kerry said.
– Bush looked meek and sounded defensive. He had this sort of mock resolute nod that he would do sometimes when he was done speaking, but it made him seem a little cocky.
– Bush apparently has been taking lessons on the word “nuclear.” He can say it properly now.
– I also wondered if after the 2000 incident where Gore and Bush came out wearing essentially the same outfit if they both coordinated their ties. Kerry was in a red tie and Bush in a blue tie. Kerry came out on the camera’s left and Bush on the camera’s right. A subtle message?
Verdict?
On a scale of 1-10:
Kerry: 8
Bush 6.5
