The presidential debate

After months and months of slinging rhetoric and campaign commercials, it was good to finally see the two candidates go face-to-face tonight. In the next day or so, there will be plenty of analysis of tonight's debate to wade through, but my first impression is this: Kerry seemed calm, collected, and answered most of the president's charges. Bush, on the other hand, seemed to ramble a little bit and had some uncomfortably long pauses. He also had some good responses and explained some of his arguments in simple terms (always one of his strengths). I don't think Bush hurt himself tonight, but I'd say Kerry definitely helped himself. At first blush, I'd predict a bump in the polls for Kerry. Now we'll have to see what the talking heads have to say.