DEBATE QUICK TAKE, MORE TOMORROW

--Bush did better than he did the first time. Translation: He spoke in more complete sentences this time and was, uh, louder. Now, we're all intelligent human beings, even cable news pundits are. If you're determining the winner of the debate by an expectations game relating to Bush's first debate train wreck, then your mind isn't what we call sophisticated.

--That said, his bulging-veins factor was even higher in this debate than it was behind the lectern last week. He nearly cut off a number of undecided questioners, and shouted down Charlie Gibson.

I remember the townhall debate from 2000. The cable news networks made this ridiculous deal about how once, while Bush was talking, Al Gore got out of his chair and took two steps forward. Bush looked at him, gave him a little nod, and continued talking. The media went ape-shit, painting Gore as over-aggressive and disrespectful, eager to make it part of their lovely critique about how there were different Al Gores at every debate.

Now we have Bush yelling at people. Shouting them down! Is the media going to work this into their narrative this time?

--That was the 2nd time Bush has been asked the "have you made any mistakes" question, and the second time he's drawn a blank. The first was in that press conference he held during the 9/11 Commission fun, back in the spring. I'd say it was a big deal, except that right about then the Yankees took a big lead.

--Bush cutest moment, just as with Dick "I've Never Met You" Cheney, was a lie. He does qualify as a small business in timber.

--Kerry's "Missouri" line on the coalition was solid.

I'll have more to say tomorrow, but my short take is that Kerry wins again, though it was closer than last week, due to the whole complete-sentences thing.