Debate #1

I didn't watch much of the 9/30 debate between Bush and Kerry, but I listened to much of it (in an on-and-off fashion) while trying to troubleshoot a computer problem. (Problem was with me. I didn't read the instructions closely enough to notice that the new printer I was trying to access via my new wireless print server wasn't compatible with the damned print server.)

I was encouraged by the overall tone of the dialog. Both parties were civil and, for the most part, rational. I'd been worried that Kerry would be too stiff, but he seemed much more at ease than W was. It wasn't a knockout punch by any means, but I'd say Kerry scored some points. Look for Bush to be more prepared for the next one.

I heard an interesting interview on NPR with a debate specialist who published a book about the first 40 years of Presidential debates. He noted that neither participant seemed prepared to shift his focus among the moderator (Jim Lehrer), the studio audience, and the multiple cameras. He also pointed out that each network (I think there were nine broadcasting the event) got to choose which camera shot to go with from moment to moment. The consensus seems to be that Bush didn't appear to be as attentive as Kerry did--that is, that Kerry came across better when he wasn't speaking.

The author mentioned that Clinton used to practice his reactions so that he wouldn't get caught in ungraceful moment while his opponent was speaking. Every little edge counts.