Debate Two: The Bloodening

Ok, so there wasn't any blood, but wasn't the second debate a good deal more interesting than the first? I mean, the candidates could walk around, for gosh sakes. And, you know, if they wanted too...I mean, it could have got physical. It didn't, but the possibility was there. And then I would have watched it instead of my reruns of Quantum Leap, honest.

Just kidding. Of course I watched it. And so did a good number of other Americans, to be sure. And now you want to know: Which candidate won?

Well, this time, the score was much closer, with a new Gallup poll showing Kerry with a slim lead against Bush, 47% to 45%. I'd call it a tie - what would you call it?

The race is still narrowing, with Kerry now nudging a slight electoral lead over Bush, while Bush seems to be holding a slight lead in the popular vote. Without question, key states are getting closer and closer.

Which is pretty exciting, if you're a polling geek like me. I expect that, short of some major event or the third debate going overwhelmingly to one side, we're gonna see these numbers continue to the election, with more mysterious bulges, pyschological disorders, and interesting arrests keeping us occupied until then.