If you want to read a good analysis from a conservative arguing that Kerry did well check out Power Line. I’ve slept on it, read some other comments, digested some e-mails and while Bush didn’t loose he could have done much, much better. And Kerry didn’t win either, there were too many “open goal” opportunities that he did not take advantage of. The conclusion is that Kerry managed to set the stage for a thrilling five week race to the finish line. As a result, the next two debates are going to be far more interesting than we could have imagined and as a bonus we get the trial lawyer debating the cerebral strategist, which should be riveting stuff.

One more thought: my first assessment below centered around nuclear capabilities and I forgot to mention Kerry’s mysterious comments about bunker busting nuclear weapons. It was an inexplicable moment, Bush is not be able at all to allay fears over Iran and North Korea getting nukes and then Kerry argues that we shouldn’t even consider weapons to address this potent threat. Am I missing something here?

And here’s a tough one for the Bush team: do we want our man to step out of his comfort zone and do what he’s not good at: campaign until the crack of dawn on November 2? Or is a well rested Bush the key to success? I veer toward the latter but I wouldn’t want to make that call, it’s going to be closer and more grueling than anyone expected before last night.