So damage control is already underway. Starting tomorrow, I'm sure the pundit-spin will concede that Kerry appears to have won on style, but it was likely a draw on substance. Meanwhile, the Bush campaign will undoubtedly splice together some ad of Kerry apparently flip-flopping during the debates.
The Kerry team can't afford to sit back and wait to play defense; they need to get their offense going NOW. IMHO, the Kerry team needs to beat them to it with their own attack along the following lines:
(Note: Transcripts not yet available, and I don't have my stats, so to paraphrase...)
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Voice-Over: George Bush promoted a tax cut of so many gazillion dollars to benefit the wealthiest 1% of Americans. Meanwhile programs supporting the security of our homeland have been underfunded.
John Kerry: <from video clip of debate> 95% of the cargo entering our ports is uninspected. We have to fund the programs that will provide inspections at our ports, provide security in our subways and on our bridges. The money that went to tax cuts for the wealthy should have been used to provide protection at home.
Voice-Over: George Bush's response?
George Bush: <from video clip of debate> I don't know how he's going to pay for all that. There's, like, a huge tax gap. Ehhhh, but anyway... <head shake and dismissive wave of hand.>
Voice-Over: George W. Bush - his convictions are clear.
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That's the gist of it, anyway. Taking a page from the Republicans' playbook, this is a direct attack on Bush's perceived strengths: homeland security, and being a "man of conviction." It also portrays a very presidential John Kerry contrasted against an uncaring and dismissive George Bush.
That video clip of Bush is, IMO, the most damaging thing I've seen in a long time. It must be put to use.