Finally, some substance

LAST NIGHT, John Kerry was an alternative, not a flip-flopper. The Democrat was relaxed and often eloquent. George W. Bush was adequate and often annoyed.

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Overall, their first debate was everything the dreary presidential campaign is not: substantive.

A key exchange came after moderator Jim Lehrer asked Bush if he believed there are character issues that make him conclude Kerry should not be president. Bush said his concern was that "he changes positions on the war. . . You cannot lead if you send mixed messages to our troops . . . to our allies . . . to Iraqis. . . There must be certainty. We must never change our strategic beliefs."

To that, Kerry responded, "It's one thing to be certain. But you can be certain and wrong. . . . Certainty sometimes can get you in trouble." Answered Bush: "What I won't do is change my core values because of politics or pressure. . . . You cannot wilt."

"I've never wilted in my life," said Kerry. "I've never wavered. I've been consistent on Iraq. Saddam Hussein was a threat, he needed to be disarmed, but we didn't need to rush to war."

That discussion neatly framed what is now the major fault line in this campaign: Who can lead America to victory in Iraq? The president who started the war or the senator who authorized it but now criticizes how it is being waged?

Bush warns that his challenger lacks the backbone to stand up to the enemy and questions how the Massachusetts senator can lead as commander in chief while calling the conflict the wrong war at the wrong time in the wrong place. The Democratic challenger says he will be steadfast and do what Bush cannot do: win the war. Kerry says he has plan, beginning with a call for a summit, while the Bush plan is "more of the same."

Kerry made it clear last night he is not running as a peace candidate whose first goal is to bring the troops home. "We have to win this. The president and I agree on that," he said.

The country can stay the course, but it doesn't have to do it under Bush.

Mission accomplished -- for Kerry.

Joan Vennochi's e-mail address is vennochi@globe.com.