More on the Second Debate

The NYT report by Adam Nagourney and Robin Toner was not bad, certainly better than we have come to expect from Nagourney alone.

Mr. Bush, whose uneven performance last week had stirred concern among Republicans, particularly as post-debate polls showed him losing his lead to Mr. Kerry, seemed hesitant and spoke loudly when he took the stage. But the president, who seemed distracted and fidgety in the Sept. 30 debate, grew increasingly comfortable through the night, though at times he flashed glances of anger at Mr. Kerry that were reminiscent of his demeanor the week before. At one point, Mr. Bush mistakenly referred to Mr. Kerry as "Senator Kennedy."

By contrast, Mr. Kerry seemed assured and comfortable for most of the night, particularly as the discussion moved from foreign policy and into domestic policy for the second half of the debate. The one moment when Mr. Kerry seemed strained was when he sought to explain his position on abortion.

The NYT editorial page was even less kind, The Town Hall Debate

Town hall meetings are one vestige of early American democracy that modern presidential candidates know very well. No one who has survived a New Hampshire primary season needs to be told what it's like to answer questions tossed out by a group of average citizens. It's the democratic process in its most amiable state: earnest Americans asking serious questions about the issues. Last night's format was much more suited to George Bush's talents than the hard-edged debate last week, but John Kerry still managed to goad him to irritable near-shouting at some points.
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And the president was utterly incoherent when asked about whom he might name to the Supreme Court in a second term. His comment about how he didn't want to offend any judges because he wanted "them all voting for me" was a joke - but an unfortunate one, given the fact that the president owes his job to a Supreme Court vote.

Digby thought Bush looked like America's ex husband.

Angry, hectoring, condescending and loud. Very loud. He yelled at John Kerry, he yelled at Charlie Gibson, he even yelled at the questioners. He yelled in short, punctuated bursts as if he thought he needed to spell out simple concepts. (He looked like he wanted to walk up to a couple of the questioners and jab a finger in their chests as he lectured them like children.) But then, he's always slightly pissed.
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He's the dad who is always mad. Surly, unpredictable, spoiled. You know the type. "I'm the commander in chief, see. I don't need to explain ... Maybe somebody needs to explain to me why they say something, but I don't feel like I owe anybody an explanation."

Last night, the only mistake he admitted to making was appointing some unnamed officials at whom he was obviously peeved. He said it in the same tone in which he said that Jenna could stay and clean her room.

This is a man who treats women like servants and men like lackeys. And last night he angrily yelled at America as if we were his long suffering, abused wife.

I think it's time for divorce.

Steve Soto at The Left Coaster.

Preliminary Thoughts: I thought Bush did better tonight, which given how bad he did in the first debate isn't saying much. Bush looked better because he has mastered the art of arrogance, denial, and ignorance.

Steve also has some interesting reactions from the talking heads, especially the ones at FOX.
Joe Gandelman at The Moderate VoiceGives Kerry a slight edge but thinks there is something else that Kerry gets out of it.

The most likely short term result for this debate will be a tie. But the most likely LONG TERM impact will be that voters have again gotten to spend time with Kerry without him being defined by either the GOP or the news media. Do the few undecided voters like what they see?

I think Joe has a really good point, even if it were a draw, Kerry wins because for once he's getting equal time.