3rd Presidential Debate Scorecard

We have moved one step closer to the ultimate conclusion of the Presidential election. The three debates that took place this October were a decisive set of duels that could make the difference on who will be the President of the United States for the next four years.
It will take some time to determine the fallout from the debates, but it can be agreed upon that both candidates have accomplished their goals. Bush sought to cast doubt upon Kerry's ability to lead and Kerry sought to make himself a viable alternative to President Bush.
As the election draws near, the United States will choose to take one of two very distinct paths. It will be either to continue with President Bush or to take a new path with Senator Kerry. It will be up to the American people to decide who to follow into the future.

The following is a score card of what the candidates said on certain issues and who won the exchange.

Issue: Securing America
Bush: On the offense against terror. Kerry doesn't understand threat. Created Homeland Security Dept.
Kerry: Bush not doing enough. Pledge to rebuild alliances. Promise to wage smarter war on terror.
Winner: Bush- Has shown that he has fought hard against terror, Kerry answer not unique.

Issue: Taxes
Bush: Kerry's record is that of raising taxes. Raising taxes will hurt economy.
Kerry: Bush tax cut benefited mostly rich. Will raise taxes on high-earners to pay for programs.
Winner:Bush-Low taxes have helped economy. Kerry can't hope to pay for everything by taxing rich.

Issue: Fiscal Responsibility
Bush: Will cut deficit in 5 years.
Kerry: Will reinstitute pay as you go. Bush hasn't vetoed any spending.
Winner: Kerry- Bush hasn't shown any fiscal discipline.

Issue: Jobs
Bush: Job loss must be fought with education. 1.9 million jobs created.
Kerry: Bush lost 1.6 million jobs. Will fight for equal playing field. Will close tax loopholes.
Winner: Bush- Fastest economic growth in 20 years. U.S on the right track.

Issue: Education
Bush: No Child Left Behind has raised standards; increased funding. Increased Pell-Grants.
Kerry: Bush not funding education.
Winner: Bush- Kerry claims of not enough funding education unsubstantiated.

Issue: Homosexuality
Bush: Don't know if it's a choice. Support constitutional amendment to define marriage.
Kerry: It is not a choice; ask Dick Cheney's daughter. Homosexuals deserve same rights as Heterosexuals.
Winner: Bush- Kerry usage of Dick Cheney's daughter was in bad taste.

Issue: Abortion/Stem Cells:
Bush: Pro life. Signed Partial Birth Ban; Kerry voted against it. Will promote alternatives to abortion.
Kerry: Devoted Catholic but disagree with Church. Pro Choice. Will protect Row v. Wade; Bush won't.
Winner: Tie- Kerry is weak on principle and Bush won't tell who he will appoint to Supreme Court.

Issue: Health Care
Bush: Support creation of private savings account. Support medical liability reform.
Kerry: Bush not done enough to keep costs down. Will allow Americans to choose gov. Insurance.
Winner: Tie- Both Kerry and Bush plans have serious financial problems.

Issue: Social Security
Bush: Support privatization. Will make priority during 2nd term.
Kerry: Bush's plan will cut benefits. Solution is fiscal responsibility.
Winner: Kerry- Bush hasn't made Social security a priority. Bush plan problematic.

Issue: Immigration
Bush: Have increased border security. Support temporary worker card. Kerry Supported Amnesty.
Kerry: Bush hasn't secured border. Will prosecute employers of illegals. Will tighten border security.
Winner: Bush- Temporary worker card plan has potential.

Issue: Minimum Wage
Bush: Minimum wage not the problem; it is education. Must diagnose the problem early.
Kerry: Will raise minimum wage to $7.
Winner: Bush- Raising wage wont solve problem. Bush is right to focus on education.

Issue: Overstretched Military
Bush: Must win in Iraq. Currently training Iraqi troops to relieve Americans.
Kerry: Bush not getting help from allies. Will create 2 more army divisions.
Winner: Kerry- Bush foreign policy has severely overstreteched military.

Issue: Gun Controll
Bush: Support gun controll. Will prosecute criminals.
Kerry: Bush didn't fight for assault weapons ban. Will fight for ban.
Winner: Kerry- Bush didn't even try to fight for assault weapons ban.

Issue: Affirmative Action
Bush: Have met with Black leaders. Don't believe in quotas.
Kerry: Bush hasn't worked with Black leaders. Support Affirmative Action.
Winner: Kerry- Bush has not had a working relationship with Black leadership.

Conclusion: In total: Bush won 7 exchanges, Kerry won 5, and 2 were ties. Although Kerry didn't win as many exchages he did seem come across stronger than Bush in presentation. In terms of actual arguments, Bush started off strong during the beginning of the debate, but Kerry finished stronger towards the end. However, once again, there was no knock-out punch during the debate so it will be up to the American public to decide who won the debate.