Commanding & Presidential

The debate took place on Thursday. Unless you've been under a rock somewhere, you know that. I haven't updated in a few days due to a mixture of not feeling great and being incredibly busy. Let's cut to the chase. Kerry mopped the floor with Bush. Kerry was poised, Presidential, had a firm grasp of the issues, was ready for Bush's attack-talking points, and did a job even better than I had hoped. Watching it, I was almost palpably nervous for him. For us. Bush looked like a petulant asshole. He quite obviously didn't want to be there, and this is (probably) quite literally the first time he has been criticized to his face in 4 years. He couldn't take it. His facial expressions, and exasperated demeanor said it all. He is out of touch. His answer to the fiasco that Iraq has become under his watch? It's hard work. His answer to the fact that 95% of incoming ship containers aren't inspected? How y'all gonna pay for that? His answer to the fact that he not only failed to get our NATO allies involved in a 1991-style Iraq coalition, but actually INSULTED the countries that refused to join? You forgot about Poland. Just look at him. According to Drudge, Bush's lead is gone. According to Daily Kos, DNC & Kerry website hits the night of & day after the debate broke records. As is often the case lately, check out Andrew Sullivan for a conservative Kerry-voter's opinion. I think he's spot-on.