Bush, Kerry Spar over Domestic Policy Issues
Hear NPR's Mara Liasson on the Debate
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Bush, Kerry Spar over Domestic Policy Issues
Only Available in Archive Formats.
Bush-Kerry Debate: NPR Analysis
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President Bush and Sen. John Kerry traded barbs on domestic issues — from the economy to health care to Social Security — during their third and final debate, held Wednesday night at Arizona State University.
Seven Questions
Bob Schieffer asked a number of direct questions on matters public and personal. Here is a sampling:
'Will Our Children Be Safer?'
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'Is Homosexuality a Choice?'
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'How Do You Pay for Health Care?'
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'How Do You Save Social Security?'
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'Would You Overturn Roe v. Wade?'
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'What Role Does Faith Play?'
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'What Have You Learned from Women?'
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While moderator Bob Schieffer of CBS News moved the candidates briskly through a series of questions on major policy matters, he also worked in queries on the role faith plays in the candidates' lives and the influence of the women who surround them.
Many polls showed the White House race as a virtual dead heat as the candidates began the debate. The presidential election is Nov. 2.
Read a Transcript of Third Bush-Kerry Debate Oct. 13, 2004
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Previous Debates
Bush-Kerry 2: Town Hall Format Oct. 8, 2004
Vice-Presidential Debate: Cheney vs. Edwards Oct. 5, 2004
Bush-Kerry 1: Foreign Policy Goals Sept. 30, 2004