That's great that you think Bush held his own. I hope most Americans (who were watching) see it the way you do.
That said, one of the things I like most about FR is that we don't sugar-coat (to use a popular Dem word) our feelings/opinions, even when they reflect poorly on our candidate. The fact that most FReepers think Bush did a poor job is telling. And no, I'm not a DU troll. I've been around here for a couple years.
But again, I do hope you're analysis lines up with people watching. :-)
Kerry is a excellent debater. Bush cannot beat him at this game. No way, no how.
Kerry pivots on a dime and can blow your mind with complete paragraphs of bullcrap that is not even on point, but sounds intelligent.
Kerry was not on top of his game tonite because Bush forced him to defend himself. That was the strategy to keep Kerry off balance and it worked for the most part. Kerry did have some good moments, but those were on the original question, which he was prepared for. He did not do well on the rebuttals to Bush's statements.
I was really surprised that Bush did as well as he did, to be honest about it.
This is really Kerry's game.