10/01/2004 03:25:12 PM|||Nathan Moore|||

I apologize for the lateness of commentary - today was a day to catch up on piling demands. I'm not sure I have much to add beyond what has already repeatedly been said - that no one one, no one got hurt, and Bush didn't seal the deal.

With that in mind, I too add that I wish Bush had been more aggressive. Kerry left himself wide open on many an occasion, at one time holding the view that nuclear capable Islamic terrorist states are on equal moral footing with a nuclear capable United States of America. And Bush let him slide, to my disappointment. This ought to have been slapped back with a "how dare you" tone, but was not.

I have to believe that there is no shortage of wit and snappy comebacks in the Bush camp. Kerry himself is sufficient material to give even the most boring individual a lifetime of standup material. I detected, not ironically, that Bush handled the debate with a mode of conservatism. The campaign had decided it best to play conservatively during the first debate, avoiding gaffes and letting Kerry go on a few of his more egregious absurdities. I was glad to see Bush note Libya as a diplomatic succes (diplomacy augmented by credible force, but diplomacy nevertheless), and challenge Kerry's commitment as commander-in-chief vis a vis his nuanced rhetoric on voting both for and against something at the same time.

I just thought Bush could have been stronger. Strength is Bush's quality, not Kerry's. The overnights confirm this fact. Looking deeper into the Gallup numbers, one is left wondering how one can win the debate but lose the argument. This seems to be precisely what Kerry did. From a collegiate debate standpoint, Kerry won in total points, as he was clearer, and more rhetorically sound. From a political debate standpoint, it was a draw, and Kerry needed more than a draw.

Kerry left himself open, contradicting himself throughout the debate (Best of the Web has a good take on Kerry's contradictions on Iraq, as well as NRO). Bush didn't pounce. Often times, he changed the track of the discussion when there was a great opportunity to point out the absurdity of his opponent's position (i.e. Bush's tangent about the International Criminal Court. Why?).

I am looking forward to the Veep debate. I can hear Dick Cheney licking his chops now.

|||109666315214242446|||Debate Round I