The second presidential debate last night seemed to have a much harder edge to it than the previous one in Miami. Both candidates, especially incumbant Republican George W. Bush, apparantly took lessons from their vice presidential running mates by watching their performances earlier in the week. While not that icy, Bush especially came out angry, ready to fight. That showed especially a couple of times when he interrupted moderator Charlie Gibson's attempts to move the discussion along to insist on rebutting points made by Democratic opponent John Kerry, yelling as though toward a rebellious child.

Kerry, for his part, seemed even more forceful than in the previous debate, much like the prosecutor he was prior to becoming Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. He presentation reminded me at times of Jack McCoy, the character played by Sam Waterston on the series Law and Order. While Bush's overall performance improved greatly (no scowls, his handlers must have really pushed him hard on that over the past week!), Kerry wins on substance...and that's what it's all about!