I thought last night was a good, solid victory for the President. Not a blow-up, but a decisive victory. A world of difference from last Thursday night. The President seemed both relaxed and energetic. He seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself--contrast that with last week, where he looked ticked and as if he had better things to be doing with his time. Senator Kerry, in contrast, had an "eye-baggy, gray, cadaverous look" (hey--Polipundit said it, not me!)
Two significant results from last night's debate: (1) The Republican base will no longer be depressed and demoralized--as they were starting to become. (2) Kerry--unlike in the first debate--has now been put on the defensive. Bush's focus has shifted from the charge of "flip-flop" to "you can run but you can't hide" (from your record).
Finally, I thought the closing statements could not have presented a starker contrast. Bush was relaxed, confident, and optimistic. Kerry looked moribund, dour, and pessimistic.
