So I've been too busy to write, and its far too late to do a debate column. So I'll just do some wrap up and some other observations.
I really am surprised that Kerry is still in this. I never thought he'd make it through the debates as a contender, but he's starting to really challenge for the lead at this point. I still don't think that stems from Kerry's strength as a debater so much as Bush's weakness. I thought he did a much better job 4 years ago, when he was a relative novice than he did in this run-up. And Kerry won the battle of body language far and away. I payed more attention to body language in the last two, and Kerry had an easy, smiling, "There you go again" demeanor that demonstrated confidence without being too arrogant. You could have said, "John Kerry has sex with goats for money" and he still would have been over there smiling calmly. Bush on the other hand seemed like he had been coached to be serious and attentive, but his way of feigning attention was to jerk his head in Kerry's direction like Bigfoot had walked in behind him. I caught this move at least 5 times.
In any case, following the last debate was the first time I really started to believe there is a chance that Kerry could win this thing.
But man its amazing how divisive this whole thing is getting. This election is making radicals left and right, and I'm getting a sense that it is starting to really alienate the moderates. Admission: I personally think that George W. Bush has been a terrible president. I think he's a liar, I think he's totally unwilling to accept reality if it conflicts with his worldview, and I think he is a terrible leader because he won't accept responsibility for any of his decisions, only blame others for them. This does not mean, however, that I think John Kerry is a great candidate. Were I to vote for Kerry, I would be doing so only because I think he wouldn't be as catastrophic as Bush. But I can totally see how other people with different priorities could see it the other way, that Bush sucks but would slightly better than Kerry.
What I can't for the live of me understand is how anyone could think either of these guys would be a *great* President.
Meanwhile, here's a hidden indicator that's been under-reported. From my incredibly scientific investigation, the morning radio DJ vote is shifting to Kerry. There was a major shift from Howard Stern (who had been a Bush supporter as recently as 2003) to actively promoting Kerry and campaigning against Bush every day on his radio show. As well, Drew and Mike from WRIF in Detroit seem to have gone from leaning Bush to right in the middle. In fact, Drew and Mike (who have always struck me as moderates, even if they've also struck me as simple-minded) are totally turned-off by this election. I get the sense that they don't really care who is elected so long as its someone and this nonsense can end. I'm coming close to this place myself, honestly.
Finally, Here's a clip that if you haven't seen you really should. John Stewart recently went on Crossfire and had a "Network" moment. Be prepared, this isn't very funny, but it is interesting.
Stewart on Crossfire
I'll save the commentary, except to say that I wish Stewart was somewhat more eloquent. I think I agree with him, and others might too if he'd been able to make his point more effectively.