Presidential Debate Still Has Them Talking

When I listened to President Bush during the debate on foreign policy, I was reminded of someone’s description of a fanatic: one who redoubles his efforts after he’s forgotten his aim.

Lost in his own world of perseveration and fantasy, Bush has failed to make the world a safer place. In fact, he has made it less safe by his incompetence and his reckless invasion of Iraq.

I don’t envy John Kerry if he assumes the presidency, and I don’t believe he will have a magic wand to immediately undo the damage Bush has done. But Kerry has the strength of character and integrity to set us on the right course of action to ensure our safety and to earn respect once again from the world community.

Rosie Sorenson

Richmond, Calif.

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My biggest concern is over loose nuclear material and North Korea, because I think they pose the greatest threat to Americans.

Bush has ignored these issues in favor of a diversion in Iraq. North Korea now has nukes, and there are countless amounts of unsecured nuclear material still in Russia. At the debate, Kerry took the initiative on these issues, and it’s clear he is aware of what a danger they pose and will do all he can about them.

I am going to vote for Kerry because he knows what it will take to make us safe.

D.B. Auerbach

New York

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After that sorry showing in the first debate -- about foreign policy, supposedly his strong point -- I’m wondering if Bush is even going to show up for the next two. Time to bump the threat level up to orange!

Roger Bloom

Huntington Beach

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I was surprised that I have not seen any coverage of the third-party debates that were taking place just across the street from the University of Miami. It’s a bit disappointing, as you are not providing total coverage and a complete choice.

Karl N. Dickey

Boca Raton, Fla.

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If being the president is such “hard work,” maybe Bush should step down.

Erik Kravets

Los Angeles

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At last Kerry stands for something and he let us know it. Three cheers and he gets my vote.

Edwin Morgan

Encino

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I watched the debates with the hope that I would hear Bush lay out a concrete plan for getting our troops safely out of Iraq and back home with their families.

I was disappointed that not only did he not lay out a plan, he chose to play the game of repeating the same line over and over in an effort to divert attention away from himself. What a wasted opportunity for him to present his plan for Iraq; I can only conclude that he has no such plan.

Victoria Ballesteros

Downey

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The first presidential debate is finished, and the American voter won. The differences between the two candidates were clearly shown. However, there was one position that Bush presented that was not challenged. He said that he rejected the world criminal court because it could bring American citizens to trial. Kerry should have rejected that paranoid position and argued that the logical court for an international terrorist is an international criminal court. The existing World Court is only for countries, not individual criminals.

Edward C. Perry II

Claremont

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We had been told to have low expectations before the debate. Bush certainly didn’t disappoint us.

Donald Kerns

Garden Grove

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Bush: bumbling, stumbling, inept!

Kerry: commanding, eloquent, presidential!

Geraldine West

Seal Beach