"The Democrat was more effective, and more on point, in challenging Mr Cheney on rationales for the Iraq war that have proven false...

Mr Cheney parried by attacking, with justification, inconsistencies in the Kerry-Edwards position on Iraq shaped more by politics than conviction... He was right to chide the Kerry-Edwards team for appearing insufficiently appreciative of the allies and Iraqis who have fought alongside US troops...

Debates are partly about momentum, and if Democratic nominee John F Kerry was on the upswing after last week's debate, nothing that happened last night is likely to stop that. If they are also partly about highlighting differences, this debate would have to be judged a success: In style and substance, the vice presidential candidates were about as distinct as two contenders could be."

Editorial, Washington Post, yesterday.