BBC: Kerry, Bush clash over Iraq war (debate review)

[pagerbear]

Last Updated: Friday, 1 October, 2004, 02:10 GMT 03:10 UK

US President George W Bush and his Democratic challenger John Kerry have clashed on how to best handle the war in Iraq and homeland security.

Mr Kerry said US security depended on strong alliances, which Mr Bush had left in tatters around the world.

Mr Bush said he was confident of poll victory because he had shown the American people he knew how to lead.

The two men are taking part in the first of three televised debates in the run-up to November's election.

Millions were expected to tune in for the debate taking place at the University of Miami, in Coral Gables, Florida, ahead of the 2 November poll.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3703756.stm

(mods: please move to GD2004 if you think it belongs there)

[UpInArms]

1. don't know if this is relevant

but I am going to say that if the debate was to convince any of the "swing" voters, *Co did absolutely nothing to show that he had anything more than what they had seen. One trick pony show was all I saw.

[JoFerret]

2. Kerry in a landslide

.

[UpInArms]

3. my better half

is superb at rating speeches and debates - he says Kerry was the winner by 16 points.

:thumbsup:

[TroglodyteScholar]

6. I hate that I can't view the debate completely objectively...

But if you completely ignore everything actually said, Kerry came across as being FAR more thoughtful and confident -- quick to answer, no nervous fidgets or other mannerisms... Bush was constantly smirking, stuttering, pausing because his thoughts weren't collected, etc. To me this indicates that Kerry performed better, but apparently half of this nation's population has no problem with Bush's smirking and stuttering...so who really knows what swing voters will take away from this....?

[UpInArms]

4. CBS instapoll

Kerry 44%
Bush 26%
undecided 30%

[NMDemDist2]

7. wheres the link?? nt

[GHOSTDANCER]

16. \/

<http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/08/politics/main641817.shtml>

[librechik]

5. MENTAL HEALTH ALERT!! DO NOT LISTEN TO OPEN PHONES!!!

liberals, call in and givem hell!

[Hillary2008]

8. DUH

Like anybody believes CBS instapolls...buncha liars.

[Skittles]

9. ya

and I trust the opinion of someone whose hobbies are "shooting and drinking".

[fryguy]

10. BBC said it was a draw.....

.....which friggin debate where they listening to???

[blackspade]

11. obviously

crack is big in the BBC newsroom!

[nofurylike]

13. and their poll says 88% for Kerry. n/t

[Wright Patman]

15. BBC is controlled by MI6

which was and is an integral part of the Anglo-American war machine.

[truthisfreedom]

12. actually, i listened very carefully, and Kerry said that bush had left our

alliances in "shatters" around the world. i thought it was more effective... bush smashed our relationships with France and Germany.

[LSK]

14. even BBC poll shows huge win for Kerry

George W Bush
7%
John Kerry
88%
It was a draw
5%
9046 Votes Cast