Debate 1: Kerry
Debate 2: Kerry*
Debate 3: Tie
Interesting how both threads address Bush's foaming mouth because that actually seems to indicate the general thread's attitude about him.
As for my opinion, the jist of it shows from the debate score above, but there are a few things I'd like to discuss more specifically after reading this thread
Jesus Factor: Some replies believed Kerry laid in on thick about his religious beliefs, which I agree, but using it to advocate one's decision, which Bush did for the war on terror, I don't believe should be used to represent the entire diverse nation. There was even a documentary on Bush's Jesus factor that I suggest everyone to see b/c I don't think it's as controversial nor contain facts that seem bent in any way as Fahrenheit 9/11.
Cheney's daughter: It did seem a little awkward for Kerry to mention her, like a couple of replies people's believed, but not completely innopropriate. The issue was on gay and lesbian rights after all and what their views were, in respect with being a choice and how either would enable their rights for them to live in our society.
"The plan": Bush's plan is pretty clear to me, and most other people it seems, because it's already commensed. I'm not too sure why there's confusion of Kerry's though. The message I got about it is that it's a complex one.
Maybe it was in Debate #2, but he clearly mentioned that it's not so cut-n-dry as the president says it is. There's obvious complexity in making decisions for the nation b/c it will somehow ripple effect through all aspects of our society, so simply fixing one thing won't just change that one. It's like a tree soaking up water and absorbing the Sun's energy. If one of its branches were to be cut off, it does not just heal/regrow that branch, but continually distribute it's resources throught the entire body while patching up the exposed branch. I think I've gone off on a tangent long enough, but I felt the idea that Kerry had with this response was very important as how he understood the dynamics of being a president encompassing everything that makes America what it is (this is all of course through his unfortunately better speaking skills as I'd wish Bush could be on equal terms).
Unfortunately I can't give specifics of his plan not only b/c of its complexity from the couple minute responses, but because I personally get bored of economic domestic plans, which was the main plan I believe that people were referring to in this thread. I can really only say that I remember him listing many reversals of Bush's plans and how some didn't seem effective enough to even exist like the No Child Left Behind plan. I honestly don't know how effective it is, but to me, he did give concise examples of actions according to his plan throughout the debates.
I'm still waiting for a downloadable video of Debate #3 to watch it again more closesly, but it is clear that Bush did better on this debate. It's clearly not a knockout of any kind in my mind though. The foaming mouth and hysterically unique laughing gestures didn't really help either.
This is freakin' long and so anybody who has the patients of reading it will most likely have opinions from this, but I'm a bit sporadic on this forum so I'll most likely not respond unless it stays ontop for awhile, but I still encourage further discussions.