Ryan Lizza delivers the goods in a wonderfully lucid and insightful examination of why Kerry won.

The first inkling that the Bushies know their man didn’t do so well comes minutes after the debate ends when Karl Rove walks into the press filing center. Like a game of telephone, the conventional wisdom that Kerry won the debate is already seeping out across the sea of journalists in the room. Into this skeptical ether, Rove tries out a line: “It was one of the president’s better debate performances and one of Kerry’s worst.” Vince Morris of The New York Post stares at Rove and asks, “Can you say that with a straight face?”

It gets better. Point by point, Lizza shows why bush lost so badly (and how it might not have happened if he and James Baker hand’t insisted on rules they thought would trip Kerry up).

They always say you don’t win the debate the night it’s held, but in the days afterwards based on how it’s spun. So far, it looks like it’s going to be a major victory for Kerry, and I’m ashamed that I first thought it was closer to a draw than a big upset. Now we know — bush was demolished.

From last night

In Iraq, no doubt about it, it’s tough. It’s hard work. It’s incredibly hard.

It’s-and it’s hard work. I understand how hard it is. I get the casualty reports every day. I see on the TV screens how hard it is. But it’s necessary work.

We’re making progress. It is hard work.

You know my hardest, the hardest part of the job is to know that I committed the troops in harm’s way and then do the best I can to provide comfort for the loves ones who lost a son or a daughter or husband and wife. [sadly, no one asked my question]

Her husband, P.J., got killed-been in Afghanistan, went to Iraq. You know, it’s hard work to try to love her as best as I can knowing full well that the decision I made caused her, her loved one to be in harm’s way.

Yeah, we’re the job done. It’s hard work.

Understand how hard it is to commit troops. I never wanted to commit troops. I never – when I was running – when we had the debate in 2000, never dreamt I’d be doing that, but the enemy attacked us, Jim, and I have a solemn duty to protect the American people, to do everything I can to protect us.

Hmmmm. I thought Osama Bin Laden attacked us, not Saddam Hussein. Details.

Anyway, if it’s so hard for him, maybe he should do us all a favor and resign.