My thought after the first debate was style (Kerry) vs. substance (Bush). After the conclusion of this debate, I thought both improved in their weaker areas. I felt Bush’s style improvements were dramatic in that he seemed awake. Kerry held some more substance, but he’s still on the wrong side of too many of my views. I’m quite certain that Kerry has a plan to change that. If not, he’s got a plan to address the lack of the other plan.
Slight Bush win, because Bush wasn’t just President Bush tonight, he was also Dubya. And Dubya plays well in the vast distance between New England and California. It should be noted that, at this point, a slight Bush win is a huge Bush win; it’s the equivalent of grabbing back homefield advantage in a playoff series.
I typed up a few questions that I want to run against the transcript, so a more thourough look later.