So now the national security part of the debate is over. Bush wins on points so far.

Now the question is on drug importation from Canada. His answer: we have to make sure they’re safer. A load of bullcrap, of course–there’s more danger in buying drugs off the Internet. Kerry’s answer is great: the drugs are safe, American-made, Bush blocked it–and he pointed out that Bush promised not to block it in 2000. Zing. The president denies Medicare from negotiating, the president sides with the companies. Bush jumps up and out on the 1-minute rebuttal without even waiting for the moderator to approve. The moderator is being wimpy–he should be calling Bush on this crap. But Kerry is doing a good job on doing that.

But Kerry’s still stumbling on his delivery and not making his points as clearly as he could.

Bush comes off with the “most liberal senator” line (that’s been blasted to pieces, but Bush doesn’t care). Unfortunately, as I noted before, Bush is short of truth, but he’s getting the zingers out, and his delivery is still smoother.

The overspending question came up. Bush’s answer? Clinton ruined the economy, it’s his fault, and then there’s a war. But the fact remains that Bush and the GOP in control of Congress have been doing massive pork spending. Bush ends by excusing his overspending by saying that he’s spending it all on the troops, and darn it, he won’t short-change the troops! Well, George, how about buying them flak jackets and not making them pay for meals in the hospital when their limbs have been blown off?

Kerry just got the tax cut question: will you make a promise not to raise taxes on those making under $200,000. Kerry: Absolutely. Yes. Right into the camera. Yes, I promise. And then he laid out his plan, and on this question he sharp and strong. Kerry ends well with a josh at the moderator. Bush comes out with a “He’s just not credible! Of course he’s gonna raise your taxes!” He’s sounding shrill now. And he just made a reference to “battering green eye shades?” Did I misunderstand? What was that? I think Bush just lost his cool.