Observations!

8:14 - Every time Kerry says "I have a plan", the crowd goes nuts. I don't think Kerry's going over.

"Bush seems like he got a nap - he's much sharper tonight"

8:16 - during Bush's "His rhetoric doesn't match his record" quote. "YOu pay and he goes ahead and spends..." - the walls are shaking, baby!

Rocketman - "So far so good!" THAT is saying a lot!

Asked a random guy in the crowd "how's it going"? "It sounds awfully familiar..."

8:20 - Kerry rips on the cutting of Pell grants; smattering of applause in the crowd.

Asked "The Doctor" how Bob Schieffer is doing: "He's warming up". He seems - 20 minutes into the debate - to be trying to keep even-handed...

8:24 - Jack from Edina: "Bush is on f**cking fire!! When he gets going...I don't like when he get sinto a bidding war wtih Kerry, but I'll overlook it..."

8:25 - Kerry's bogged down in Pell Grant trivia - Bush is sticking to the big picture. BIG plus for Bush, I think.