Liveblogging the Debate

Here we go, folks. I can finally watch this debate in real time! So that's how you're going to get my reactions.

SUMMARY: Well, it will be interesting to hear the post-debate spin, but I gotta call this one for Kerry. He seemed comfortable, confident and well-prepared, where Bush was nervous, irritated and defensive. I thought the questions, overall, were excellent, and played better to Kerry's wonkishness than to Dubya's reg'lar guy shtick. I don't think the true believers on either side are gonna be swayed by this, but if you can really be undecided at this point, I have to think Kerry looked like the stronger candidate.

8:02 - So there are time limits. Huh. Dubya sure does look nervous.

8:08 - Hmm. Kerry's no Clinton or Edwards, but Bush is certainly worse - this is not his forum. Oh, good - Dubya's using some statistics. And here we go with the "oil for food" crap. Boy, I hope Kerry nails him in his response.

8:12 - 1st reference to "global test."

8:15 - Kerry seems to be hitting his stride now - it took him a couple of questions, but now he's warming up.

8:16 - How can Kerry simultaneously have "the Bush plan" and "the wrong plan" at the same time? Anyone? Bueller?

8:18 - Is it just me, or is Dubya kind of yelling at the audience?

8:20 - Audience member: Other countries hate us. What's your plan for improving diplomacy? Dubya: I ain't gonna. They hate us, screw 'em. Plus, they don't hate us, they just hate our decisions. Plus, it's not a popularity contest. And anyway, it's not my fault - the generals told me we were ready!!

8:28 - Ah, the draft question.

8:29 - "The internets?" There's more than one?

8:31 - Oh, Bushie is mad!! Score one for Kerry - Bush's response to the draft was just "I won't have one"; Kerry's was substantive and meaningful. And why did Bush bring up Poland again? What kind of a moron is he? That was a gimme for Kerry and he took it: "Mr. President, countries aren't joining the coalition, they're leaving it." Booya.

8:38 - Does Bush really think that the American public will buy that Canadian drugs are unsafe? I mean, come on - really?

8:43 - OK, I know I'm not exactly non-partisan, but it really seems to me like Kerry is in control of this debate. He looks calm and presidential; Bush is constantly on the defensive and relying a lot on tired old talking points.

8:50 - Did anyone actually prep Bush for this debate? He just brought up job creation when only this morning the figures were announced as embarrassingly low! Another gimme for Kerry ... who's not taking it, but still.

9:00 - Soooo ... the mainstay of Bush's environmental plan is off-road diesel engines? He is struggling with this one (not surprisingly). "I guess you could say I'm a good steward of the land." Ummmm ... well, I guess you could say that. I mean, it's not true, but you could say it.

9:09 - How can Bush not know that he owns a timber company when I read it in at least three papers today? Oh, wait - I forgot, Bush doesn't read the papers. Hmmm. Maybe he should start. My husband: "Man, The Daily Show is gonna be good on Monday." Yeah, Dubya's certainly giving up some good material.

9:16 - Kerry stumbled over the stem cell question. He doesn't seem to have a gut feeling for this, where Dubya does come off as genuinely conflicted.

9:20 - Whoa. Dude, don't try to use the Dred Scott case to support your Supreme Court answer if you don't actually know what that case is. That is one ghost you do NOT want haunting your conservative white ass. Just some advice.

9:24 - The abortion question: well, if you're anti-abortion, there's just no way Kerry can answer this question in a way that will make you happy. But I think he gave a pretty sensitive answer, nonetheless.

9:29 - Bush can't even find ONE mistake to admit? Not even one? Oh, no - apparently there have been mistakes, but they're secret. Oh, well then. That's just par for the course.