1. Bush came across as either a)cocky b)tired c)bored d)aloof - I'm not sure which. His campaign claims he was tired after touring Florida hurricane damage. Maybe so but he seems like a high school kid who didn't do his homework and doesn't give a shit.
2. Kerry said what he needed to say about Iraq. He should have said it months ago but he was eloquent enough to get the message through.
3. Bush loves to play the fear card -"you better do eat your peas or you won't get any dessert." "You'd better vote for me so we can win the War on Terror." -Lame.
4. Teresa Heinz Kerry is looking for a fight. Did you notice how, when the Bushes turned away from the Kerrys (when they should have greeted the Kerrys) that she raised her arm in a "what's with these people" gesture? Like Mt. St. Helens siesmologists are closely watching Teresa's lava dome.
5. Kerry took the high ground a couple of times, i.e., when he said he wouldn't comment on Bush's character and when he acknowledged the First Lady etc. This was probably a good move but who knows, Americans love a fight and don't understand chivalry.
6. I think Bush actually went over his time more than Kerry did. So all that posturing by the Bush campaign to get the lights on camera actually backfired for them.
7. I think Bush did a good job of wrapping up his statements. Each time the red light came on he'd think of a quick sound bite and thump the podium a bit.
8. Bush needs to stop saying "uhhhhh."
