Last night's presidential debate
We want to hear your reactions to last night's presidential debate. Who won? Who lost? Was the format successful? Was the subject matter relevant? Share your thoughts.
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...and we call this man our current president? He is a man left behind.
Jason, Acton
With all three debates behind us now, it is clear John Kerry is the better man to lead this country in these troubled times. Unlike Bush, Kerry recognizes that America can do better and has a plan to make us stronger and safer. In the first debate, we learned that John Kerry would not divert our military's resources for an unnecessary war like Iraq but would focus instead of truly imminent threats like Iran and North Korea (both of whom strengthened their weapons of mass destruction programs under Bush's watch). In the second debate, we saw Kerry connect with the people and offer a superior command of the issues and knowledge of the facts than Bush. In tonight's debate, we saw Kerry present a plan to increase health care coverage and strengthen our economy. Bush's plan is more of the same -- do nothing while millions of Americans struggle. In the absence of a plan for America, Bush tried to win voters over with cheesy jokes and more smirking, but Americans demand more in this election. Our nation is in crisis and we need a leader who can unite us and make us stronger. That leader is John Kerry.
Judy, Harrisburg
In 2000, Bush ran as a moderate, a uniter not a divider, someone who would not engage in nation building, someone who would leave no child behind. I believed him. Seemed like a nice guy. I voted for him. Turns out, he lied about everything. He has shown himself to be an extremist and a divider. I will not believe his lies again. He will not get my vote this time around.
angie, Boston
I thought this debate was the second clear win for Kerry, though I listened to it on the radio. Kerry came off as assured, authoratative--well, presidential. I was pleasantly surprised with the poise and grace with which he answered the questions he received on the subject of faith. At least to my ears, Bush went from petulant in the first debate to frat-boy immature in the third. You could hear him start each rebuttal with a rehearsed joke and then laugh at it. Stylistically, it was like he was channelling Beavis and Butthead. Before these debates, I had actually bought that Bush is charming and likeable. This is not how he came off at all--at least not on the radio.
Joanna, Ann Arbor, MI
Bush is always better than Kerry. However, you brainwashed liberals for some reason believe that Kerry will solve the healthcare crisis and bring jobs. What has he done for this state? He's a loser! Kerry is a terrible leader and will further push our country into the crapper. In this state you liberals/socialists are irrational and need to wake up!
Brendan, Houston
Senator Kerry was once again strong and specific in his responses. President Bush, I thought, came across as rather shallow, often resorting to name-calling and sloganeering rather than answering the questions. He was completely evasive on questions pertaining to jobs and the minimum wage, and offered only vague replies to others. Kerry was far more impressive.
Randy, Spring, TX
Seriously, folks. If you can't admit that John Kerry is heads-and-shoulders above George W. Bush, then you don't deserve to have the right to vote. Either that, or you are a flat-out fascist, just like he is. Either way, you are not a true American.
Todd, Pittsburgh
John Kerry comes down on the issues that I and most Americans support. Import drugs from Canada? Kerry Yes, Bush No. Progressive taxes? Kerry Yes, Bush No. Outsource Jobs? Kerry No, Bush Yes. Affordable health care for more Americans? Kerry Yes, Bush No. Privatize Social Security? Kerry No, Bush Yes. Minimum Wage Increase? Kerry Yes, Bush No. Retain Roe vs. Wade? Kerry Yes, Bush No. Extension of assault weapons ban? Kerry Yes, Bush No. For me, scoring at home, its Kerry 8-0 over Bush.
Brian, Waco
I saw something amazing at Wednesday's presidential debate. When the president was asked about how to create good new jobs he spoke about educating schoolchildren. When he was asked about the possibility of raising the minimum wage he just spoke about educating schoolchildren. When he was asked why he hadn't fully funded his plan for educating schoolchildren he seemed surprised and unprepared and offered no explanations. "No child left behind" is his only forward-moving piece of policy and he isn't even standing behind that properly. John Kerry, on the other hand, offered real and comprehensive plans to fight for middle class families.
Alexander , Brookline
Once again Kerry seemed so much more intelligent than George W. George W. smiled constantly even through the very serious questions he was asked. He looked like a real fool to me. He always does. He didn't answer the questions asked him, he just avoided them and chose his own questions. I'd say kerry won this debate without question.
Nancy, Wakefield
