Kerry Wins 1st Round

Thirty-three days before the election, Bush stressed that his opponent changes his mind too often. Kerry said: "I am sorry but he made a tremendous error in judgment. Judgment is what we look for in an American president."

Following the debate, which was broadcast on 15 channels, Kerry seemed more comfortable and public polls indicated that Bush lost the "first duello" by a wide margin. 70 percent of Americans said Kerry was more successful.

In the first round held at the University of Miami in the state of Florida – a state that played a critical role in the 2000 presidential elections — Bush defended his fight against terrorism while Kerry insisted that the Iraq war was a departure from the fight against terror.

The Democratic Candidate reminded President Bush that Osama Bin Laden, and not Saddam Hussein, attacked the US on September 11. To invade Iraq as a response to September 11 was like invading Mexico after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Both leaders agreed that the biggest threat to the world is nuclear proliferation.