In case you missed it, John Kerry put the smack down on President Bush in Debate Round I. Kerry did almost everything he needed to get the race back on track:
1. Authoritative, Presidential: Commander-in-Chief Material
Kerry was in charge from the outset and was thorough, calm, serious and resolved. He sounded resolute and visionary.
2. The Split Screen is Your Friend
While Kerry was providing a commanding, sophisticated and sweeping vision for U.S. foreign policy, Bush was angry, smirking, and rolling his eyes off camera. He looked the part of the dim-witted frat boy waiting for his brothers to kick the ass of someone who disgraced him.
3. Taking Flip-Flopper and Mixed Messages Head On
Kerry's best line: you can be "certain and wrong." Excellent job of turning the tables on the president's supposed resoluteness.
To mix metaphors, we've got a whole new ballgame. And for the man from Texas, "Houston, you have a problem."