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Readers offered their own commentary on the first presidential debate in response to our Oct. 11 cover story. Contrary to poll results, some disagreed that Kerry had performed better. "Surely your cover meant to say 'Why We Think Kerry Won'," one insisted. "I am sure there are at least a few who think otherwise." Another Bush backer said, "John Kerry has been critical of the president's ability to build 'strong alliances' in Iraq. For Kerry also to say we should go it alone in North Korea bothers me." But most praised the senator's performance. "We saw that Kerry has the knowledge, capability and drive to be president. George W. Bush doesn't, and it showed--over and over again," remarked one. Another, commenting on the divisive issue of Iraq, said, "Kerry won because more people are starting to realize that Bush is losing the war on terror. Kerry is getting us to see what is really happening and not what Bush would have us believe."
That First Bush-Kerry Debate
In the Sept. 30 presidential debate, President George W. Bush decried Sen. John Kerry's characterization of the Iraq war as the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time and as the wrong message to send to our adversaries and troops ("90 Minutes Later, a New Race," Oct. 11). Kerry's characterization sends precisely the right message. To our adversaries it demonstrates one of the greatest strengths of a democracy: the freedom to dissent, the freedom to criticize one's government, including the commander in chief, without fear of having one's head severed. It offers a powerful example for our adversaries and for the world's emerging democracies. To our troops it sends a reassuring message that John Kerry, a commander in Vietnam himself, fully recognizes what the troops and their commanders are painfully aware of: that the Iraq war has gone awry, and a change of strategy, tactics and leadership is called for. President Harry Truman recognized a similarly dire situation in Korea when he removed Gen. Douglas MacArthur, helping to turn around the war. Credibility is crucial to leadership, and when a sitting president loses it, the wisdom of the people, endowed with the freedom to vote, must follow the courage of Truman's example.
Thad L.D. Regulinski, Professor Emeritus
University of Arizona
Tucson, Ariz.
Reflecting on your Oct. 11 cover story, I would have to agree that John Kerry won the first presidential debate. He certainly has a talent for making anything and everything sound so good and true. So come Nov. 2, I am voting for Kerry as this nation's...
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