Bush, Kerry End Crucial 1st Debate
VOA News
30 Sep 2004, 23:57 UTC
President Bush - in the first of three presidential debates - has strongly defended his decision to invade Iraq, but challenger John Kerry called the decision a "colossal error of judgement".
Thursday evening's debate from Miami, Florida, focused on Iraq and the war on terrorism.
Mr. Bush linked Iraq to the war on terror, saying Saddam Hussein posed a threat and that a free Iraq would be an example for people who want democracy.
But Senator Kerry accused Mr. Bush of not living up to his pre-war promises, such as his pledge that war would be a last resort.
He said the mastermind of the September 11 terror attacks, Osama bin Laden, has been allowed to escape while the Bush Administration is consumed with Iraq.
The candidates also differed on North Korea. Mr. Bush said six-party talks aimed at getting Pyongyang to give up its nuclear ambitions will succeed, while Mr. Kerry called for bilateral U.S.-North Korean talks.
Regarding Sudan, both candidates called the killing in Darfur a genocide, but both opposed sending in U.S. troops.
The two candidates were hoping to sway voters ahead of the November 2 election. Analysts say the debate was crucial for Mr. Kerry, who is trailing Mr. Bush in recent opinion polls.
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