Once more into the breach, dear friends

I'm not going to listen to the spin. I could not take it.
The debate is over, and I come away surprised. I had resolved to vote for Kerry no matter what, but now I feel better about that resolution. I want to vote *for* him, not just against Bush. It doesn't matter what is said in the next couple of days: when Bush's hate mongers have time to isolate negative soundbytes from Kerry's performance and try to twist his words. I heard it tonight, and I was really moved, I was.
I actually found myself nodding at things that Kerry was saying: especially about Sudan, how we can't let it turn into another Rwanda. Bush didn't even attempt to pronounce Rwanda, just kept saying we were sending candy bars and band aids, would continue to send them after the rains, while people are dying. That meant a lot to me, that Kerry would mention Rwanda, and our failure there.
I also liked how he combated the flip-flopping blitzkrieg; he did it exactly right. He said that he was certain about his principles, what changes is how to implement those principles, as we learn new facts and realities; we should be able to adapt to the situation at hand. I think Bush really cripples himself when he carries on about remaining steadfast and certain about everything, even when he is wrong.
Towards the end, Bush really lost it, in my opinion. Especially when he said that he might have to put a leash on his daughters!! The women of America collectively bristled with rage. Then when Kerry was wrapping up the N. Korea issue, he made a very good point that just because the president says something can't be done, doesn't mean it can't be done: he's a liar.
The moderator offered Bush a chance to respond to that; he had nothing to say obviously. He half heartedly muttered about Saddam Hussein, as if that was the issue!
Yes, I am pleased with the debate tonight. I liked it when Kerry would say things like "That's not the issue." I hate how Bush keeps invoking hollow phrases he never has to justfy or explain, and I think Kerry did a good job at calling him on that tonight.
It almost makes me reluctant to watch the subsequent debates, because it would be hard to improve upon Kerry's performance tonight. And I can bet you that Bush's "war room" is hard at work to correct the mistakes he made tonight, while Kerry will be riding high.
I will watch though, because I hope Kerry surprises me again. I look forward to nodding affirmatively along with his plans for health care and education.