I enjoyed the debate from the Munuvian Chat room with Ted from Rocket Jones. It was good to do the chat thing, it got all of the snark out of the way.

The question of the moment is of course "Who won the debate?"

My answer (and this will surprise few of my regular readers (or should that be this will be no surprise to my few regular readers)) the victory goes to the President.

Here's why I think Bush won. Out of the context of the campaign I would have to say Bush scored more hits against Kerry. In the early part of the debate everything Kerry said he would do, Bush came to back to say that is what we are doing. Bush clearly had one message he wanted to get out and did (over and over and over). It got to be tiresome for me at least but people will remember the message.

In the context of the campaign Kerry needed a clear victory. He did not get one. Neither candidate did anything to hurt themselves - though Kerry's disrespect of the contribution of our allies is Iraq was not good - but the problem for kerry is that he did nothing to help himself. For Kerry the status quo is a loosing hand, and at best that is what he achieved tonight.

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at 06:42 PM | No Comments | Add Comment