The War Of Words

Some memorable quotes from the debate:

Bush: “September 11 changed how America must look at the world. And since that day our nation has been on a multipronged strategy to keep our country safer."

Kerry: "I can make America safer than President Bush has made us. I believe America is safest and strongest when we are leading the world and when we are leading strong alliances. This president has left them in shatters across the globe, and we're now 90 percent of the casualties in Iraq and 90 percent of the costs. I think that's wrong, and I think we can do better."

Bush: “The enemy attacked us, and I have a solemn duty to protect the American people, to do everything I can to protect us."

Kerry: “This president has made, I regret to say, a colossal error of judgment, and judgment is what we look for in the president of the United States.”

Bush: “I've made a lot of tough decisions, and you know where I stand. People out there listening know what I believe, and that's how best it is to keep the peace."

Kerry: "It's one thing to be certain. But you can be certain and wrong."

Bush: "The only thing consistent about my opponent's position is that he's been inconsistent. He changes positions. And you cannot change positions in this war on terror if you expect to win.

Kerry: "I've had one position, one consistent position on Iraq: That Saddam Hussein was a threat, there was a right way to disarm him and the wrong way, and the president chose the wrong way."

Bush: "Of course we're doing everything we can to protect America. I wake up every day thinking about how best to protect America. That's my job."

Kerry: "Unfortunately, (Osama bin Laden) escaped in the mountains of Tora Bora. We had him surrounded. But we didn't use American forces, the best-trained in the world, to go kill him. The president relied on Afghan warlords, and he outsourced that job too. That's wrong."

Bush: "My opponent says help is on the way, but what kind of message does it say to our troops in harm's way: 'Wrong war, wrong place, wrong time'? Not a message a commander in chief gives."

Kerry: “I believe in being strong and resolute and determined. And I will hunt down and kill the terrorists, wherever they are. But we also have to be smart. And smart means not diverting your attention from the real war on terror in Afghanistan against Osama bin Laden and taking if off to Iraq.

Bush: “If America shows uncertainly or weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. By being steadfast and resolute and strong, by keeping our word, by supporting our troops, we can achieve the peace we all want.”

Kerry: “We need a fresh start, a new credibility, a president who can bring allies to our side.”

Transcript of the full debate.