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PUNDITS SCORECARD
The Candidates:
• George W. Bush
• John Kerry
• Ralph Nader
• Third Parties
Showdown States:
The Conventions:
• Democratic
• Republican


How do you rate each candidate's debate performance?

GEORGE W. BUSH
JOHN KERRY
 
CONTENT
DELIVERY
CONTENT
DELIVERY

Paul Begala
Political strategist
 A- B- A+ A

Bob Novak
Political analyst
 B A C B
CNN.com USERS
Grades show the average of CNN.com user scores in each category.

Total: 361945 user votes
C+ C+ B+ A-


Paul Begala
Kerry clearly has mastered the material. He even knew Bush's tax returns better than Bush did. He was more conversational than Bush, engaged the audience members by name.

Bush did not have many factual errors, except not knowing about his part ownership in a timber company. But regarding his delivery -- switch to decaf, dude. Way too strident. He was pressing. Loosen up and lighten up, sir.

Bob Novak
I thought Bush won the debate. Kerry didn't make any major gaffes but Bush showed he wasn't the ninny that he appeared to be in Florida.

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