Editor & Publisher on friday's debate

[roseBudd]

Smackdown in St. Louis: Slight Edge to Kerry, Subject to Debate

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000663357

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According to Bloomberg News, Bush "failed to gain a victory in the second presidential debate to stem the momentum built by John Kerry, a four-term Massachusetts senator, since their first match-up last week."

Several Saturday morning editorials also backed Kerry. Even those that seemed to favor Bush based it more on improving on his first showing than on actually winning the debate. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel put it this way: "He had to do better than he did in Florida. Mission accomplished." The Arizona Republic editorial giving "round 2" to the president concluded: "At the very least, George W. Bush did not do himself in with some careless foible. On that alone, victory was his."

George E. Condon Jr., writing for the San Diego Union-Tribune and Copley, said: "Bush was clearly stronger, more poised and less irritated than he was in the first debate last week in Florida. But Kerry counterpunched effectively and probably did nothing to lose the converts he won in Miami."

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