Live debate blogging

A number of bloggers were sitting around writing entires as they watched the debate on TV. Robb Allen at Sharp as a Marble has the goods: bq. A brief description of the stage. There are 2 lecterns on the stage, both having a set of lights on top borrowed from the Jeopardy set. When the lights blink, you're out of time. If they blink too long, a trap door will open up and your opponent wins by default. There was a lot of controversy over the lights which Bush's team managed to keep. They did, however, lose the argument that Kerry's podium would include a pneumatically controlled boot that would extend into his crotch when Bush pressed a button. I thought that was a petty thing to argue over, myself. bq. Disney has done a wonderful job with the animatronic Jim Leher - it almost looks lifelike! There's still a bit more to go on the technology, but outside of the slow, mechanical movements, you can almost believe he's alive. bq. OK, the debates are about to start. Leher is instructing the audience to sit down and have a nice tall glass of "Shut the F*ck" up or he'll have to open a can of whoopass. He's now introduced the candidates. bq. 9:02 - Jim explained the rules to the candidates and to the audience. He has also instructed those who are playing "Bullshit Bingo" at home to go ahead and fill in the square marked "Kerry Shows off Manicure". bq. 9:03 - First question regarding Kerry making America safer. I didn't think the whole "more seat belts and airbags" answer was exactly what they were asking, but the Volvos in Every Home portion was a nice touch. Bush's rebuttal of "I could so kick you ass" definitely scored points. bq. 9:08 - Bush is asked if we'd be attacked if Kerry was elected. Bush responded with "Well, I'm sure I'd attack horse face over there if he was elected". Kerry hiding under the podium wasn't very presidential. It gets better and better. Caution: Multiple Drink Alert Hat tip: Dean Esmay