We won again, and I'll tell you how I know.

[aden_nak]

Okay, so it wasn't the unmitigated ass kicking that Bush received last week. I think we were all prepared for that. Deep down we knew that he couldn't possibly bomb out in such an embarrassing fashion twice in a row. It wasn't going to happen, because his handlers and his staff weren't going to let him walk into a second debate completely unawares.

That being said, John Kerry still came out of this debate the winner. He made more valid points, he was once again mercifully brief and direct with his thoughts. In fact, during the whole debate, he only had one moment of oratory indecision, searching for a word while talking about stem cell research.

He did something else important, as well. He exposed the Bush myth that every issue is simple. Ironicly, it was the segment on abortion (which I was dreading) that I think was one of Bush's worst moments. Kerry explained very clearly that not every vote is Yes or No. He said he didn't vote for the Partial Birth Abortion ban because it didn't afford for the health of the mother, and he gave a very good reason that the Parental Consent law needs to be reviewed.

I think the audience connected with that and made the connection. I think people would like to believe that politics and life are as "black or white" simple as Bush suggests they are, but deep down they know that's rarely the case. So after Kerry explained that he voted No because the law was inadequete, Bush stood up and said the exact same thing. "Either you support it or you don't. It's a simple question." Words to that effect. I did not see a lot of agreement in the room with him at that moment.

But there's a broader test, a simpler test to check whether Kerry won or lost the debate. Once again, the left-leaning pundits are calling it a Kerry victory, and the right-leaning pundits are dragging their feet and calling it a draw. More of them are on board with the spin this time as compared to last time, but their hearts aren't truly in it. They know their man lost. Again. And they know their spin isn't really going to convince the American people otherwise.

They look defeated. Some are angry, some are dismissive. . . masks for their defeat.

[Cha]

1. Good post..thank you. n/t

[dflprincess]

2. Local TV station checked in with 4 undecided voters it's been following

All 4 were still undecided after the last debate. After tonight, 2 are leaning Kerry and 2 are still undecided.

[Frances]

5. If 2 of every 4 undecideds in the US

went for Kerry while 2 are still undecided that's good for our team

[ogsball]

3. Thanks for very good analysis

I did think that the Network pundants gave the substance of the debate to Kerry much quicker tonight than they did the last week. It will come out as a clear Kerry win.

#1 Because the fact checkers will prover Kerry correct.

#2 They spent lots of time talking about Bush's fidgting from last time. Any discuss, even that he kept it under control this time, is a lose for Bush.

#3 The Network guys were talking about all the bad news for Bush this week--once again not what the repubs want air time on.

Clearly a Kerry win.

[Frances]

4. Thanks for putting into

words what I was thinking.