We here's the way I saw it :

[southern democrat]

D.C. probabally did'nt hurt Shrub.Edwards may have helped Kerry.And Kerry's performance was a tough act to follow and Edwards held his own.Shrub's act could have been followed by well trained circus chimp.So D.C.held is own. Mitigating factor in my opinion was the 2 different messages.Cheney's negitive therating message vs.Edwards positive hopeful message.Edwards message ,closing statement and Haliburton win it for John!