First encounter goes to Kerry

IT was a good night for Democratic challenger John Kerry who by all accounts came out tops in the first presidential debate against President George W. Bush. 

Some 50 million Americans watched the first of three duels at the University of Florida in which the war in Iraq dominated. Nearly all the major newspapers, cable networks, political analysts and commentators gave this first round to Kerry, saying he looked calm, authoritative and presidential while describing Bush as grimacing and irritated.