The third debate

I think this one was a draw. Bush was much better compared to his performance in the first debate - compared being the operative word. As a whole I think Kerry has gained more from the debates than Bush. He came in lagging in the polls and many people were writing his obituary. His performance in the three debates has been steady; he has looked presidential and he has spoken in that calm assured manner that people expect from their President. So I think he has helped himself. Bush did too little in the first debate, too much in the second debate and was himself in this the third debate. Bush's performances in the debates bear a stark resemblance to Gore's performance in 2000.

I still think this election is going to break out in the final week. Somebody is going to pull ahead and I am betting that it will be Bush. I think people will just decide that in uncertain times they would rather go in with a known quantity than a unknown quantity and vote for Bush. I still predict a Bush victory by 8 points.