More Debate Thoughts

It is now clear that Kerry won the debate. All the polls say so. More importantly, except for the real lunatics, the Republicans are saying that it was a draw, which means Kerry kicked his ass. Many other blogs and columns have been written on this so I will just contribute a few thoughts.

1. I was all ready before the debate to write a post after the debate slamming Kerry and saying what a bad candidate he was. But he actually came through big. His points were good and he looked rational, as opposed to Bush who could only say that he was staying the course. Which would be fine if the course was even remotely working. But he was saying this on a day when 40 Iraqis children were blown up. So that's a hard argument to make. Kerry is back in the race.

2. I think Kerry will take advantage of his victory to even the polls after the 3rd debate. Bush's strength was the the war on terror. He couldn't win that debate. What's going to happen in the debate on the economy? Bush can't possibly run on his domestic record. In this he faces the same problem as his father. All he can talk about his tax cuts, but the deficit will be the obvious rebuttal. Unless Kerry screws up, I think he wins all 3 debates.

3. Kerry should have taken greater advantage last night of Bush cuts to the military. If Bush supports the troops, why is he making them now buy their own uniforms (which my nephew had to do recently)? Why is he cutting education benefits? Why are VA hospitals getting cut and access to them getting cut? Why are wounded troops having to pay for their meals in the hospital? These kinds of questions are Democratic gold but they haven't mentioned them. Very disturbing and it reminds me of 2000 when they also were timid.

4. The most annoying thing I saw last night was Andrea Kramer on Hardball talking about security Moms and wondering how Kerry would play with women who are afraid their children will be killed at school. As I discussed in an earlier post, do any of these women exist?

5. I was amused by Bush saying that he knew that Osama Bin Laden had attacked America as if he was both proud of himself and surprised that he knew it.

I think we have to be pleased. Unfortunately I won't be able to watch Edwards make Cheney look terrible on Tuesday but I look forward to Friday's town hall meeting debate. Again, why is it on a Friday? Are they trying to ensure that no one watches it?