So far, everyone seems to be saying Kerry won this debate. Let's see what they're saying in a few days...
To put it bluntly, the Bush campaign has created an image of Kerry as a weak and indecisive man, someone that -- whatever you think of President Bush -- just can't be trusted to keep the country safe in these dangerous times.Often they've made him into an object of contempt.
Whatever else you can say about this debate, though, whatever you think of his policies, I don't think that's how Kerry came off. I think he came off as forceful and direct. And I suspect that most people who were at all genuinely undecided came away from the 90 minutes with that impression.
If President Bush's current lead is built not upon confidence in him or his policies but in a simple belief that Kerry isn't solid enough to be president, then I think this performance could help Kerry a good deal.
Andrew Sullivan's take on the debate is interesting too. There are too many good quotes to snip, so you'll have to read the whole thing.
Oh, and apparently even conservative bloggers think Kerry won. Heh.
