ALERT - Downside of Kerry's Kickass Performance:

[beaconess]

Kerry's expectations have gone up and Bush's are are back in negative territory.

If we're not careful, the media will award the next debate to Bush if he simply shows up on time.

LET'S NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN! We need to stay on top of the press, reminding them over and over during the next week that the President of the United States, the Commander in Chief, the Leader of the Free World must be held to the highest standards and that he cannot be allowed to benefit from his pathetic performance. Our country is in desperate need of responsible and wise leadership - we deserve a president who can at least manage to perform to a reasonably high degree of competence in a 90-minute debate.

[bagnana]

1. I COMPLETELY AGREE!!!

People keep forgetting foreign policy is truly Bush's weakest link. Aside from talking about terror and 911 he has nothing to add on the issue. I know he will be better in the other two debates, and that Kerry had just better keep his energy up and stay focused.

[nini]

14. foreign policy is what the repukes took as their strong point

they blew that and there's no way they can defend the economy with the 'I feel your pain' crap. ESPECIALLY after getting exposed for the moran he is last night.

[Jo March]

2. Kick! This is so important!

We must keep going and hammering the points home. I am ready to work as hard as I've ever worked for this campaign. Let's go!!!

[Kammer]

3. The town hall format is really Bush's forte

Kerry doesn't stand a chance in the town hall format. Bush really know how to connect and communicate with every day folks......Kerry is in trouble on this one....

[MoonRiver]

7. I don't think that's his forte.

If anybody asks a tough unscripted question, AWOL is immediately toast. Plus, his ear piece will be much more visable. And, if they're sitting close to each other Kerry will tower over the shrimp. That's the debate I am most looking forward to! :D

[NoSunWithoutShadow]

11. Right, in front of friendly, pre-screened, oath-signing audiences.

[pmbryant]

4. Exactly

I think Bush did so horribly, his expectations may be back down to the incredibly low level they were at in 2000.

We've got a better response team now, though, I think. :-)

Peter

[dave123williams]

5. If Kerry smacks Bush around like he did last night...

punditry's not going to mean much. You can only spin a disaster so much.

[ClassWarrior]

6. Yes, but Bush* is such a straight-talker, he'll DEVESTATE Kerry...

...in the next one, when he doesn't have to deal with formal answers to formal questions.

23.

[cmf]

8. Yes! I totally agree!

I said this to my husband last night, and I almost posted it on here. This is very important! Bush loves when expectations are lowered, it's part of his strategy.

[Doosh]

Kerry has kept much more capable challengers at bay

he did a great job holding down weld in the 1996 stretch run. Kerry also beat Edwards soundly in debates when he was trying to catch up.

Don't worry, when Kerry has an opponent on the ropes he finishes them. And Kerry always rises to meet the expectations, sooner or later.

[Doosh]

9. Kerry has kept much more capable challengers at bay

he did a great job holding down weld in the 1996 stretch run. Kerry also beat Edwards soundly in debates when he was trying to catch up.

Don't worry, when Kerry has an opponent on the ropes he finishes them. And Kerry always rises to meet the expectations, sooner or later.

[Gothmog]

10. Bush has to still look presidential. He did not last night

Even if expectations are lowered, Bush still has to look presidential and he is hurt when Kerry does look like a true president.

[Raenelle]

12. Absolutely. We won a battle, not the war.

My advice--start talking about how Bush has the advantage next time--public forum with real people who will warm to Bush's down-home ways better than Kerry's more intellectual approach.

We have two jobs now
--keep the press honest about what really happened last night--Kerry kicked Chimpy's ass
--start lowering expectations of a repeat for the next debate.

[johnnyrocket]

13. TDS Quote: "A retard held his own to a sitting Senator."

Amazing! :)