Here's some excerpts from today's papers about last night's debate. And it's a clear Kerry Momentum win!
THURSDAY PAPERS:
BROWNSTEIN:"This encounter seems unlikely to dent the conclusion that the debates have done far more good for Kerry than for Bush…"
FOURNIER: "On the defensive over job losses and health care woes, President Bush sought Wednesday night to make the campaign a referendum on his rival …"
NAGOURNEY-TONER:See no dramatic moments that would "sharply shift the dynamic" but also write that Kerry "seemed in command as he attacked evenly into the cameras on subjects that his aides have long viewed as his strong suits."
BALZ-VANDEHEI: Play it straight down the middle: "The Democratic nominee charged that the President has compiled a record of failure on the economy and heath care, and Bush accused Kerry of a Senate record that is both out of the mainstream and lacking in accomplishment."
USA TODAY ON GALLUP POLL:"A majority of voters thought Kerry did a better job than Bush in the debate … Fifty-two percent of voters surveyed said Kerry did the better job, compared to 39% who felt Bush did the better job and 8% who felt both performed equally."
BRODER: "Neutral observers — including some who gave Bush a narrow edge — predicted that Kerry would maintain the momentum that has brought him from an underdog's position at the beginning of September to rough parity with the incumbent."
PURDUM: "In a crucible where voters measure the self-confidence, authority and steadiness of the candidates, Mr. Kerry delivered a consistent set of assertive, collected performances. Mr. Bush appeared in three guises: impatient, even rattled at times during the first debate, angry and aggressive in the second, sunny and optimistic last night."
SCHLESINGER-HITT-HARWOOD:"Mr. Bush, criticized for seeming to lose his cool in the first debate, appeared to go out of his way to present a positive demeanor last night … Kerry never lost his composure …"
The Big Dog isn't sure we could ask for any better.
