[Update 7:43]: I'm back. Let's talk.

[Update 7:49]: Taegan Goddard ways in:

President Bush was, again, on the defensive from the outset. He spent so much time portraying Kerry as a "Massachusetts liberal" or taking cheap shots, he rarely answered a question directly. When stuck, Bush resorted to sweeping ideological generalizations, in effect saying freedom and tax cuts would solve all of America's problems. When really stuck, he resorted to bad jokes.

By contrast, Kerry was in command of nearly every subject. He was especially strong on the expired assault weapons ban, the minimum wage and homeland security. My only significant criticism is that Kerry rarely explained the details of "my plan," but that's somewhat understandable given the limited time format.

The bottom line is that Kerry not only sounded more presidential, but looked presidential. By this measure, he was the clear winner.

[Update 7:51]: CNN's Jeff Greenfield seems to say that it is a Kerry win because it wasn't a Bush win. Carlos Watson agrees.

[Update 7:53]: ABC Tracking poll has Kerry up for the first time... 49-48 lead!

[Update 8:01]: Michael J. Fox on CNN. There can't be a better person standing up for Kerry on Stem-Cell Research.

[Update 8:04]: Fox says he will be campaigning for Kerry in the coming weeks, which is definitely great to hear.

[Update 8:06]: Andrew Sullivan's feelings:

Over all, Kerry cemented his new image as calmer and, oddly enough, more presidential than Bush. But Bush critically regained his likeability, his rapport with people, and his moderate voice. What all this means I'm not sure.

Sounds like he feels it was a draw.

[Update 8:13]: Is it just me, or is anyone else getting really tired of Rudy Giuliani pretending to be above partisanship but then acting like a Republican hatchetman?

[Update 8:16]: A reader comment from during the debate thread...

"Defining the definition of marriage!" Huh?

[Update 8:48]: Kos has the polling results...

CBS News Poll

Kerry 39
Bush 25

CNN Focus Group

24 on the panel

Kerry 10
Bush 7
Undecided 7

ABC News

Kerry 42
Bush 41

38% GOP
30% Dem
28% Independent

[Update 8:56]: CNN initial polling result of 511 debate viewers...

Kerry 52%
Bush 39%

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