Folks, we finally have a candidate!

Kerry didn't knock it out of the park, but he got pretty close. A solid foundation the build on for the next debates.

He didn't take the bait when Bush tried to play nice with the goofy character question. That was Gore's mistake in 2000, and Kerry skillfully took a moment to respond in kind, then back to business.

Beyond a couple of minor verbal gaffes, Kerry first 10 minutes were the best - exactly what I've been waiting to see for the last year. Concise, focused, and merciless about the facts. He let up a bit later, but kept his focus for most of the rest of the debate.

The only really bad move he made was when he endorsed the preemptive strike policy. He also could have gone in for the kill with a comment like "There were no WMDs, so Saddam *wasn't* a threat."

Bush's performance was *far* worse than in 2000. He's a goner. I couldn't be happier that the cameras caught those smirks, squints, and twitches. It finally blows apart the media myth about his charisma and "likeability". Bush lectured and actually threatened the audience with the "You'd better have a president who can deal with the terrorist" line. Yeah, try to threaten us Frat Boy, show your true colors.

If Kerry keeps this up, it'll be President Kerry for sure.

n/t

He was incredible! This was "supposedly" * strong suit....

Kerry really did hit a triple tonight!:bounce::bounce::bounce: