How about this for a more relavent history lesson. The most watched 1st debate (either in raw numbers or in % of households) were in 1960, 1980, and 1992 . The Kerry/Bush debate just squeaked past the 1992 raw numbers.
Each of the most watched debates in 60, 80, and 92 were won by the Challenger (Republicans in 60 were the incumbant party), and the Challenger went on to win the election.
Kerry CLEARLY won this debate in spades.....
Any of the remaining debates this year are sure to not have the viewership as last Thursday. Bush's goal of putting Kerry away with what was supposed to be Bush's strong suit (Foreign Policy) CLEARLY fell on its face.
An open Town Hall style second debate, where Kerry excells in the courtroom style of thinking on his feet in that format AND Domestic Issues in the last formal debate only moves the debates into Kerry friendly turf.....
Thursday was Bush's best shot to put Kerry away and he BLEW IT!
It can only be down hill from here for Bush.......
Agreed. Bush wanted the first debate to be on foreign policy, since he knew from past history that it would probably be the most watched debate (although not always, in 1992 the 2nd debate had more viewers than the first).
This should have been Bush's strongest of the 3 debates. If you want a sports analogy, Kerry just beat Bush on Bush's home field. They now will play on a neutral field in the 2nd game, and on Kerry's home field in the 3rd game of the series.
