Two thoughts: Bush looked like a hothead, while Kerry looked self-contained and confident.

And - I'm puzzled by the Americans who think that a folksy, down-home good-ol'-boy Texan is a good representative for the most powerful country in the world in this age of globalization. I've actually heard of some people criticizing Kerry because he speaks French, is at home in a European setting, and has travelled extensively. Isn't it a good idea to have a president who is sophisticated, intelligent and well-educated, whose experience and expertise is not limited to the US? As I understand it, before Bush became president, he hadn't travelled outside the US at all -- except across the Texas border to Mexico.

Apparently Bush pulled a real hick routine at Buckingham Palace -- if I were an American, I would be very, very embarrassed.