I’m one of those who think GWB did well in his first debate with Senator and I believe my earlier assessment remains valid (if anyone cares, the post is here).

The President’s greatest vulnerability, in my opinion, is in foreign policy Not only is he answerable for the current situation in Iraq and for the general WoT, but whatever he said (or says in the future) explains the current and future policies of the United States. That he weighed his words carefully, or refrained from verbal combat is fully in keeping with his duties as the leader of the Free World. And being a Bush, he probably figured that what he’s -done- over the last three years spoke more loudly than words anyway. John Kerry had no such responsibillities and he, con brio made a number of specious charges and contradictory policy proposals that no Republican (incumbent or otherwise) making them could have survived as a viable candidate.

JFK certainly had no worries over press scrutiny. Take, for example, last week’s transcript of the PBS program “Washington Week In Review”. You will look in vain for phrases like “global test”, or “nuclear proliferation”, or “nuclear bunker busters”, etc.

I guess the point I’m trying to make is that because Bush didn’t make a soundbite mistake, he didn’t lose the debate. But his reticence will allow the Bush04 campaign to hilite Kerry’s verbal recklessness with precision over the next four weeks.

As for the scowling and facial expressions, from now until Nov. 2, the voters are going to see hundreds, hell, thousands, of images of W. kissing babies, shaking hands, threatening terrorists, and congratulating our brave warriors. If all the Dems got going for their guy is a picture of W. smirking at a line of Kerry BS, they’re in trouble.