Greetings, loyal minions. Your Maximum Leader did some surfing around the airwaves this morning to get the opinions of the “chattering classes” to the debate last night. The general consensus of the mainstream media (and yes your Maximum Leader is including FoxNews in that group) is that Kerry won, but didn’t score a knock-out blow. But isn’t a knock-out blow really what Kerry needed?

Upon reflection your Maximum Leader can understand that assessment. Kerry did come off as more polished and articulate. But the President has never been regarded as a great orator. Kerry did do a fine job of trying to define himself and his positions, to the extent that the format allowed.

Neither Senator Kerry, nor the President, told us anything new. Everyone seems to agree on that point. But let us look at some other items…

The Senator never told us about his “plan” beyond he was going to have a summit. Your Maximum Leader must ask, “A summit of whom exactly?” Lets see… Everyone who wants to help is helping (and helping to the extent they can help); and those that aren’t helping have been clear that no amount of inducement will change their mind.

That would be one hell of a summit.

And your Maximum Leader is starting to grow quite cross with Senator Kerry. He is really denigrating the support of many of our traditional allies (UK, Australia, Italy, Japan, S. Korea to name a few) and a number of new allies (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary) in Iraq. Are the lives of our friends soliders less valuable than ours. Why is the support of France, Germany, and the Benelux countries so critical to Senator Kerry?

Your Maximum Leader understands that we are bearing most of the burdens in Iraq. But we are the superpower. Does Senator Kerry honestly believe that even if he could persuade France, Germany, and the Benelux countries to join our coalition that they would provide enough troops to reduce the American presence to the point where we could say that we weren’t shouldering the majority of the work? What is the magic number Senator Kerry? Getting the US portion down from (your oft quoted) 90% down to 85%? 80% Does Senator Kerry honestly believe that the Russians or the Chinese (who have the troop levels to theoretically significantly reduce the number of US troops on the ground) are going to send troops?

And that whole “global test” line for committing our troops to war? Haven’t we all gone over this? Do we really want the UN determining our foreign policy? Your Maximum Leader certainly doesn’t.

But you know something, my minions? The debate did draw out a good policy difference that needs to be discussed more. The whole North Korea issue. Your Maximum Leader believes that part of the mess that is North Korea was caused by our previous bi-lateral talks. Your Maximum Leader firmly believes that the only way to move North Korea is to have China exert pressure on the regime. That appears to be the President’s policy, but not Senator Kerry’s policy. That was a good contrast.

Now, on the President’s side… He stuck to the talking points. And that didn’t help him out. He gave a shortened version of the stump speech in his way. It didn’t hurt him either. He did appear anxious and a bit frustrated. And that may have hurt him with the “I’m-gonna-vote-using-silly-criteria” crowd.

The President’s strategery appeared to be, hold the line and don’t take risks. A bit more aggresiveness would have been in order.

Your Maximum Leader will slightly modify his take from last night. Kerry may have won the debate, but his performance may not have any impact on the overall status of the election. Due in part to thee being no memorable moments or serious gaffes. Kerry must use the upcoming debates to push for a memorable moment or gaffe on the President’s part if he really wants to gain some momentum. The President just has to continue to not take risks (but work on his delivery) to keep Kerry from getting the knock-out blow he needs.

That said, your Maximum Leader prefers fireworks… But isn’t expecting any now.

Carry on.