2004 Debates

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., left, shakes hands with President Bush after the presidential debate in Coral Gables, Fla., Sept. 30 2004. The war in Iraq dominated their first face-off. Kerry accused the president of a "colossal error in judgment" in ordering the invasion, while Mr. Bush shot back, "The world is better off without Saddam Hussein."

Along with Iraq and the broader war on terror, the two also differed over North Korea, Iran and Russia. Mr. Bush, pictured at right during the Sept. 30 debate, sometimes appeared perturbed when Kerry leveled his charges, scowling at times and looking away in apparent disgust at others. Kerry often took notes when the president spoke.

Three post-debate polls suggested that voters' first impressions were good for Kerry, pictured here during the Sept. 30 debate, with most of those surveyed saying he did better than President Bush.

Mr. Bush, seen here during the Sept. 30 debate, hammered on his theme of Kerry as a man who changes his mind too often to be president. "He voted to authorize the use of force and now says it's the wrong war at the wrong time. ... I don't think you can lead if you say wrong war, wrong time, wrong place. What message does that send to our troops?"

Cheney/Edwards - Oct. 5

Vice President Dick Cheney and vice presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards, D- N.C., shake hands before their vice presidential debate at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Oct. 5, 2004. In the foreground is moderator Gwen Ifill. The two candidates tore into each other repeatedly during their first and only scheduled debate.

Cheney, left, answers a question as Edwards waits his turn, Oct. 5, 2004. The debate between Cheney, an experienced debater, and Edwards, a freshman senator who made millions of dollars as a successful trial lawyer, encouraged give-and-take - and both gave and took.

Cheney takes notes as Edwards speaks, Oct. 5, 2004. A CBS News poll of 178 uncommitted voters found that 41 percent said Edwards won the debate, versus 28 percent who said Cheney won. Thirty-one percent said it was a tie. The poll had a seven point margin of error.

At one point in the debate, Cheney, pictured, told Edwards, "Senator, frankly, you have a record in the Senate that's not very distinguished."

Responding to the attack on his record, Edwards, pictured, asserted: "One thing that's very clear is that a long resume does not equal good judgment. I mean, we've seen over and over and over the misjudgments made by this administration."

Cheney, left, reaches to shake hands with Edwards at the conclusion of their debate, Oct. 5, 2004, at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Both candidates got some encouragement from post-debate polls, and the night was described by the Associated Press as largely a draw. Each man also got kudos from his running mate.

Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, and son, Jack, wave to the audience after the vice presidential debate in Cleveland, Oct. 5, 2004.

Cheney is greeted by his family after the vice presidential debate in Cleveland, Oct. 5, 2004. From left are his wife, Lynne, daughter Elizabeth, granddaughter Kate and daughter Mary.

Second Bush/Kerry Oct. 8

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry answers a question as President Bush looks on during the presidential debate in St. Louis, Friday, Oct. 8, 2004.

President Bush answers a question during the presidential debate in St. Louis, Friday, Oct. 8, 2004.

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry waves as President Bush looks on at the start of the presidential debate in St. Louis, Friday, Oct. 8, 2004.

Teresa Heinz Kerry, left, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, and first lady Laura Bush greet each other before the start of the presidential debate in St. Louis, Friday, Oct. 8, 2004.

Third Bush/Kerry Oct. 13

President Bush passes behind Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., after the presidential debate in Tempe, Ariz., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., shakes hands with President Bush after the third and final presidential debate in Tempe, Ariz., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004.

First lady Laura Bush, center, and her twin daughters sit in the audience just before the start of the third and final presidential debate, at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004. From left to right are Secretary of Commerce Don Evans, Barbara Bush, first lady Laura Bush, Jenna Bush and the president's nephew George P. Bush, son of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., walks off stage with Teresa Heinz Kerry, center, her son Andre Heinz, left, and his daughters Vanessa, second left, and Alexandra after the third and final presidential debate at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004.