My quick impression of Tim Kaine from last night...

I wasn't hugely impressed, and I was definitely turned off by all the "endowed by our creator" stuff. But I do think Katrina Vanden Heuvel is right that the Democrats have much bigger problems than a SOTU response slightly lacking in charisma and a bit overdone on the faith and family values and businessman talk ("bad management" "results", etc.) He did make some important points about cuts to education funding, job losses, and the like.

As for Bush, the only really exciting or new thing about the speech was the weird applause contest. After Bush complained that he'd been thwarted on Social Security "reform" last year, the Democrats all got up and clapped. Good for them. But before they get so self-satisfied and pat themselves on the back over one victory (albeit a large one) maybe they should ask themselves why they voted to confirm Roberts or let Alito through without a filibuster.

Also, my friends and I played a drinking game for every time he mentioned September 11 (only three times, I think), and "freedom." And we also drank whenever he said something really nasty in general, like when he made a little rant about "protecting marriage" and "activist judges" (what, like the ones who appointed him president in 2000, or the ones he just appointed to the SCOTUS?)

P.S. Can I just say that the commentators CNN had on before and after the debate should all go join Dick Cheney in his bunker and just leave our poor ears the hell alone? I've never heard such silly claptrap.