You forget the interference of Lehrer who could easily have put in a few
questions to allow some reciprocal butt kicking.




Not so. Not at all. If you will recall, George Bush got confused about the
debate protocol at least twice, and launched into
rebuttals that he wasn't entitled to under the rules. In both cases, the
moderator allowed the president the additional time to
try and climb out of his hole. You will recall Kerry momentarily protesting,
and then consenting to Bush's extra time with a good natured remark something
like, "Well, I suppose it's Ok to make up new rules as we go along."

If Lehrer favored anybody, it was George Bush. I didn't notice Kerry asking for
any extra time outside the rules.

But that sort of sums up the election doesn't it? George Bush needs some extra
time (another four years) to try and figure out some answers. Rules be damned.