The post-debate spin was predictable. The underlying agreement though is that Bush had the opportunity to knock Kerry out of the race and didn't. I get nervous when watching W on a grand stage because so does he: his pauses are always incredibly uncomfortable, as well as some of his facial expressions. Because of this, he often blurs the substance.
I think Kerry did do himself a favor tonight, but that favor was not getting blown out of the water. The race will certainly tighten up, Kerry will be once-again labled "Comeback Kerry". But he has to reverse the devastating momentum that Bush had going into these debates. I don't think three debates can do that, as the internals in all polls were terrible for Kerry. But that will all remain to be seen....
EDIT: And as far as debating the substance of the debate, I think that's pointless. There was nothing said that hadn't been said and/or debated before.
