THE debate

In spite of CNN pundits calling the debate "wonkish," I couldn't help but think this debate was the one where Kerry stepped ahead. By "wonkish" the pundits seem to mean that the candidates stated a lot of facts, statistics, and sundry numbers. Personally, the reason I tuned into the debates to begin with was to see which candidate had a command of the facts and a better plan for the future.

I'll admit to initially supporting Kerry because he wasn't Bush. Having been a registered Republican for 10 years and a strong Bush supporter through late 2003, I was so horrified by my own naivete' -not to mention infuriated at being misled- that I resolved to be the first person at Whitnel School on Nov. 2 to vote for who-the-hell-ever the other guy was. At the time I was hoping for Wes Clark or even Howard Dean. A Massachusetts liberal of the Dukakis school made me very uneasy.

Truth be told, the month of August dropped my opinion of Kerry to the point where I had almost resolved to avoid the polls on Nov. 2. It was in August when God decided to back the Dems and as a campaign gift made sure that every statistic, report, news story, etc, pointed to the severe ineptitude of the Bush administration (poverty/uninsured/projected budget deficit by 2010/the news that insurgents controlled more of Iraq than they did a year ago/ad infinitum). Kerry politely declined to aggressively point out these things. Additionally, he took two weeks to denounce the Swiftboat ads. I was not impressed.

I hoped Kerry would do well in the debates, but if Bush had done better, I would have considered it a lost cause and moved on. Having intently watched the debates (and even taken notes), I have been thrilled with John Kerry. I saw a man that had facts which I could verify at his disposal. I heard a man set goals and delineate plans to achieve them. Normally I would avoid an ad hominem observation, but when watching the debates, I clearly saw an intelligent man correcting an idiot. In short, I saw a man whom I can wholeheartedly support and want to be my president.

The final debate will make a difference. CNN's first poll showed Kerry had won 52/39. Unscientific polls on news sites show a wide favor for Kerry (out of 200,000 responses, FOX News favored Kerry 66/34, AOL was 60/40). Though the pundits are giving the debate tepid reviews, as a voter looking for substance, I found this to be "THE" debate. I expect with Kerry having decisively won 3/3 debates, a number of apathetic democrats will be energized to vote. At the same time, I would imagine that some of the enthusiasm in the Republican base will dissipate.

Prediction: Kerry will edge up in the polls abit.

Election prediction: The electoral map still favors Bush, popular opinion be damned. Bush will win, and it won't take 5 weeks to determine it this time.