And more importantly, the American public, which barely watched the Sydney Olympics, will probably not remain glued to their television sets for the concluding debate rounds.
Both campaigns will begin unleashing massive, targeted advertising campaigns in the final weeks of the race, trying to convince undecided voters that their candidate has the smarts and the integrity to lead the nation.
But it is quite possible that the much-romanticized swing voters got their best--and perhaps only--unpolished look at the candidates for 90 minutes last night.
While the candidates labored over the specifics of tax cuts and Social Security, the small details--Bush's nervous smile, Gore's long-winded answers--could potentially sway votes. And in what is potentially the closest race since 1960, it is the smallest things that count.