Video: 'Bush vs. Kerry: The third 2004 presidential debate'

(Wednesday, October 13, 2004, 9:00-10:30 p.m. EDT; during the 2004 United States presidential debates) — In a heated conclusion to the 2004 presidential debates, U.S. President George W. Bush, a Republican, and Senator John Kerry, a Democrat, sparred tonight over the state of American health care, the economy, and their potential Supreme Court appointments regarding abortion rights.

During the 90-minute debate in Tempe, Arizona, the two candidates presented sharply contrasting views on nearly every major domestic issue, particularly focusing on Bush’s economic policies. Both candidates bombarded viewers with statistics in an effort to make their cases.

Kerry consistently portrayed himself as a fiscally responsible leader opposing a president who he claims favored tax cuts for the wealthy while neglecting the American middle class.

“This is the first president in 72 years to preside over an economy that lost jobs — 1.6 million jobs,” Kerry said. “Eleven other presidents, six Democrats and five Republicans, faced wars, recessions, and other challenges. None lost jobs like this president has.”

Kerry also criticized Bush for turning a $5.6 trillion surplus into deficits as far as the eye can see, claiming, “The American middle class isn’t making it right now.”

In response, Bush aimed to paint Kerry as a liberal out of touch with mainstream America, even comparing him to Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Bush also warned that Kerry’s health care plan was an “empty promise” that would cost $5 trillion over ten years—nearly eight times Kerry’s estimate.

“My opponent talks about fiscal sanity,” Bush said. “His record in the Senate does not match his rhetoric. He voted to increase taxes 98 times and to bust the budget 277 times.”

Faced with defending his economic record in a debate focused on domestic issues, Bush cited a series of events beyond his control, including a stock market decline before his presidency, a recession, and the 9/11 attacks.

“People need to remember, six months before I arrived, the stock market started to decline — one of the largest in history,” Bush said. “Then we had a recession, and we got attacked, which cost us one million jobs. But we acted. I led the Congress. We passed tax relief, and now this economy is growing.”

This final debate at Arizona State University lacked the dramatic moments that might decisively shift a race many polls show as dead even.

While both men were sharp and aggressive, they appeared more subdued compared to their earlier debates. Kerry seemed more in control, speaking confidently on issues his aides have long considered his strengths.

In one notable moment, Kerry pledged that he would not appoint anyone to the Supreme Court who would overturn abortion rights. Bush, a strong opponent of abortion, declined to answer a similar question directly, reiterating his stance that he would not impose a “litmus test” on judicial nominations.

“What he’s asking me is, will I have a litmus test for my judges?” Bush said. “The answer is no, I will not. I will pick judges who will interpret the Constitution, but I’ll have no litmus tests.”

Kerry, often criticized by Bush for waffling on key issues, responded with a smile. “Well, again, the president didn’t answer the question,” Kerry said. “I’ll answer it straight to America. I’m not going to appoint a judge who will undo a constitutional right.”

Despite a range of domestic issues being discussed, the environment and energy did not come up during the debate. Additionally, the candidates did not address Kerry’s criticism of Bush’s limits on embryonic stem cell research, nor did Kerry mention actor Christopher Reeve, whose recent death had reignited the stem cell debate.

When asked about Catholic bishops advising church members it would be sinful to vote for candidates supporting abortion rights or stem cell research, Kerry addressed his faith, stating, “I am a Catholic, and I grew up respecting those views, but I disagree with them, as do many. What is an article of faith for me is not something I can legislate on someone who doesn’t share that faith.”

Bush, answering a similar question on religion, said: “Prayer and religion sustain me. I find calm in the storms of the presidency. I love that people pray for me and my family across the country.”

Health care, a major concern for voters, was a recurring theme throughout the debate. Kerry accused Bush of allowing the health care system to deteriorate, with rising costs and 45 million uninsured Americans.

He presented his plan as a realistic effort to build on the existing system, using subsidies and tax credits, and expanding public programs to cover more low-income individuals.

“It’s not a government plan,” Kerry emphasized. “The government doesn’t require you to do anything.”

Bush countered, arguing that Kerry’s plan would lead to government-run health care, a claim disputed by health care experts. “We have a fundamental difference of opinion,” Bush said. “I think government-run health care will lead to poor quality, rationing, and less choice.”

The candidates also clashed over the Medicare law Bush championed, which aimed to provide prescription drug benefits to seniors and involved more private health plans in the system. Kerry criticized the law, saying it provided a “$139 billion windfall profit to drug companies” by barring Medicare from negotiating drug prices.

Bush defended the law, citing his leadership in passing it when others had failed. “I was deeply concerned about seniors having to choose between prescription drugs and food,” he said. “In 2006, our seniors will get prescription drug coverage in Medicare.”

In a quieter exchange, Bush told the moderator, Bob Schieffer of CBS News, that he did not know whether homosexuality was a matter of choice. “I just don’t know,” he said. “But I do know we must treat people with tolerance, respect, and dignity in a free society.”

Bush reiterated his support for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, while criticizing Kerry for voting against the Defense of Marriage Act, which upheld states’ rights to reject same-sex marriages licensed in other states.

Kerry responded by referencing Mary Cheney, the daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, saying, “We’re all God’s children. If you talked to Dick Cheney’s daughter, she’d tell you she’s being who she was born as. It’s not a choice.”

Both candidates came prepared with well-rehearsed lines, hoping to deliver memorable remarks that would dominate post-debate coverage. Bush took aim at Kerry, saying, “There’s a mainstream in American politics, and you sit on the far left bank. In fact, your record is such that Ted Kennedy is the conservative senator from Massachusetts.”

Kerry responded: “Being lectured by the president on fiscal responsibility is a bit like Tony Soprano talking to me about law and order in this country.”

The debate also had its lighter moments. When asked by Schieffer what they had learned from their wives, Bush quipped, “To listen to them. To stand up straight and not scowl,” drawing laughter from the audience. Kerry followed with, “Well, I guess the president, you, and I are examples of lucky men who married up. And some would say maybe me more so than others—but I can take it,” also drawing laughs.

As the debate concluded, the race remained tight, with no clear game-changing moment emerging from the final showdown.