Kerry scores points in debate By Peter Mackler in Washington October 01, 2004 CNN News
DEMOCRAT John Kerry stood his ground with US President George W. Bush in their first televised presidential debate, delivering a strong performance that could put him back into the election race after weeks on the ropes, analysts said.
Instant polls conducted by US television networks gave a clear edge to the Massachusetts senator after a showdown with Mr Bush on foreign policy and national security issues that was dominated by Iraq.
CBS showed Senator Kerry the winner by 44-26 per cent and ABC by 45-36 per cent. A CNN/Gallup poll put the margin at 53-37 per cent and said 46 per cent reported feeling better about the Democrat after the debate, compared to 21 per cent for Bush.
Analysts agreed that neither Senator Kerry nor Mr Bush landed any heavy blows during the 90-minute encounter at the University of Miami, the first of three presidential debates before the November 2 election.
"This was the closest thing to a tie," Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Centre for Politics said. "I really was impressed. Kerry was articulate and crisp for once and Bush, I've never seen him so articulate."
(YA NEVER BEEN LOOKING THEN OBVIOUSLY!!!!!!!) - he's the idiot son of an arsehole
