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The Candidates:
• George W. Bush
• John Kerry
• Ralph Nader
• Third Parties
Showdown States:
The Conventions:
• Democratic
• Republican


Face-to-face
In a series of debates, President Bush and Sen. John Kerry crossed swords on a variety of issues, seeking to convince voters why they should be the next White House occupant. Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. John Edwards also sparred in a one-time meeting. Polls put the candidates neck-and-neck heading into the home stretch.
Debating the first debate | Veep matchup hard to call
Gallery: Round 2 | Audio Slide Show: Fiery finale
Carlos Watson: White House race far from over
More News
DEBATE RECAP
In what year was no general election presidential debate held?

1960
1980
1976
1972



Pundits Scorecard
How did the press and pundits rate the candidates' performances? Check out who made the grade.

Debate 1
Debate 2
Debate 3
VP debate
Debating diplomacy and security
President Bush and Sen. John Kerry debated the war in Iraq, how a president should deal with a nuclear North Korea and what needs to be done for homeland security Thursday night.
FULL STORY

Poll: Kerry tops Bush in debate | Gallery: Round One
Audio Slide Show: First face-off | Debate rules (PDF)
Key points | Transcripts | Video: premium content Part 1
Differences dominate VP debate
After smiles and a handshake, Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina held a frequently pointed, though civil, debate spanning on a wide variety of issues.
FULL STORY

• Veep matchup hard to call | Gallery: VP debate
• Audio Slide Show: Edwards, Cheney square off
• Transcript | Video: premium content Part 1
A bare-knuckled second debate
In the town hall-format debate, President Bush and Sen. John Kerry first clashed over U.S. policies in Iraq, then went on to questions about health care, the environment and tax policies.
FULL STORY

Poll: No clear winner | Gallery: Round 2
Audio Slide Show: Trading barbs | Fact check
Key points | Transcript | Video: premium content Part 1
Domestic issues dominate final debate
In their final debate, President Bush and Sen. John Kerry clashed over a variety of issues, from taxes and health care to social controversies such as homosexuality and abortion.
FULL STORY

Poll gives Kerry the edge | Gallery: Round 3
• Audio Slide Show: Feisty finale | Fact check
Key points | Transcript | Video: premium content Part 1
Pundits Scorecard: Round 3
President Bush and Sen. John Kerry traded sharp words in their third and final debate. See how their performance scored with the pundits.
FULL STORY

Pundits Scorecard: Debate 1 | 2 | VP
Carlos Watson: White House race far from over
Carlos Watson: Tough talk, likely little movement
Carlos Watson: Kerry gets slight edge
The Nader factor
Independent candidate Ralph Nader is not part of the presidential debates but he is attempting to get on as many state presidential ballots as possible. But he lacks the backing of the Green Party and is facing opposition from former supporters and Democrats.
FULL STORY

Kerry, Bush go full speed into final lap
CNN Access: Bush strategist | Kerry adviser
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