(paraphrased:)

Mr. President, please list three mistakes you've made, and what you've learned from them

Bush, of course, disdained to answer the question, and merely recited his rote defense for invading Iraq. He was oblivious to the irony that he was confirming the question's basis in the often-made assertion that Bush is incapable of acknowledging, and perhaps even of recognizing, his mistakes; and thus is unable to learn from them. It was a subtle question about leadership and character, and Bush missed the point completely. (Or maybe he didn't miss the point...which is itself damning.)

Kerry, for his part, missed the chance to score some classiness points in his rebuttal, by saying something like "I'll do you the courtesy of answering your question. The President's top three terrible mistakes are...". He failed to take the initiative, and just responded to Bush's formulaic defense with a formulaic offense.

In general, there was nothing new in the memorized statements that both spouted in lieu of answers. Like all the debates, this one revealed slightly more about character and personality traits than about issues. Kerry's demeanor was smooth and articulate yet aggressive, which mainly just demonstrated his better debating skills. Bush came across as the Dubya we've come to know these four years: Angry, aggressive, and arrogant--Bush's version of a AAA performance.

I don't see how a spew of the same old rhetoric will help The Undecideds make up their confused little minds. What's interesting is to watch how the partisans use the raw material from each debate to create spin. I think it's really the quality of the spin that will decide the election.

Move along, move along. There's nothing of substance to see here. Move along...