U.S. presidential election, 2004

The U.S. presidential election of 2004 was won by the incumbent President, Republican George W. Bush, who defeated his main rival, Democratic Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts. The election was fought primarily on the issue of the conduct of the War on Terror. Bush defended the actions of his administration, while Kerry contended that the war had been fought incompetently, and that the Iraq War was a distraction from the War on Terror, not a part of it.

General election: campaign

Campaign issues

The main focus of the campaign was foreign affairs, and the election served as a referendum on the War on Terrorism and the Iraq War. Over the course of the Bush's first term in office, his extremely high approval ratings immediately following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks steadily dwindled, peaking only during combat operations in Iraq in early 2003, and again following the capture of Saddam Hussain in December the same year http://www.hist.umn.edu/~ruggles/Approval.htm. Kerry supporters attempted to capitalize on the dwindling popularity to rally anti-war sentiment, symbolized by the box-office success of Fahrenheit 9/11 in the summer of 2004.

Related Topics:
War on Terrorism - Iraq War - Saddam Hussain - Fahrenheit 9/11

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However, there was also a surprising focus on events that occurred in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This scrutiny was most intense in August and September of 2004. Bush was accused in the Killian documents of failing to fulfill his required service in the Texas Air National Guard, but the focus rapidly became the conduct of CBS News when the documents were revealed to be forgeries.

Related Topics:
1960s - 1970s - Killian documents

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Meanwhile, Kerry was accused by the Swift Vets and POWs for Truth of "phony war crimes charges, his exaggerated claims about his own service in Vietnam, and his deliberate misrepresentation of the nature and effectiveness of Swift boat operations compels us to step forward." The group challenged the legitimacy of each of the combat medals awarded to Kerry by the U.S. Navy, and the disposition of his discharge.

Related Topics:
Swift Vets and POWs for Truth - War crimes - U.S. Navy

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Debates

Main article: U.S. presidential election debates, 2004

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Three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate were organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates, and held in autumn of 2004. As expected, these debates set the agenda for the final leg of the political contest.

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The first debate was held on September 30 at the University of Miami, moderated by Jim Lehrer of PBS. Though originally intended to focus on domestic policy, the War on Terror, questions are asked on the War in Iraq and America's international relations. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3703756.stm. During the debate John Kerry accused Bush of having failed to gain international support for the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, saying the only countries assisting the USA during the invasion were the United Kingdom and Australia. Bush replied to this by saying "Well, actually, he forgot Poland." Later, a consensus formed among mainstream pollsters and pundits that Kerry won the debate decisively, strengthening what had come to be seen as a weak and troubled campaign. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6159637/site/newsweek/ After the debate, pictures of an apparent hump on George Bush's back lead to speculation that he was wearing a radio receiver and being fed answers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3730364.stm Kerry was also suspected of misconduct, allegedly violating debate rules by removing a pen from his jacket.

Related Topics:
University of Miami - Jim Lehrer - PBS - War on Terror - War in Iraq - International relations - United Kingdom - Australia - Poland

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On October 5, the Vice Presidential debate was held between Dick Cheney and John Edwards in Cleveland, Ohio, and was moderated by Gwen Ifill of PBS. Described by an unidentified New York columnist as "Darth Vader versus Robin", it again focussed on Iraq and the War on Terror. An initial poll by ABC indicated a victory for Cheney, while polls by CNN and MSNBC gave it to Edwards. http://www.s5000.com/what_the_huck/589/cheney_edwards.php (BBC), (SF Chronicle) (ABC)

Related Topics:
Dick Cheney - John Edwards - Cleveland, Ohio - Gwen Ifill - PBS - New York - Darth Vader - Robin - ABC - CNN - MSNBC

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The second presidential debate was held at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri on October 8, moderated by Charles Gibson of ABC. Conducted in a "town meeting" format, less formal than the first Presidential debate, this debate saw President Bush and Senator Kerry taking questions on a variety of subjects from a local audience. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3729206.stm Bush attempted to deflect criticism of what was described as his scowling demeanor during the first debate, joking at one point about one of Kerry's remarks, "That answer made me want to scowl" http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-deb09.html.

Related Topics:
Washington University - St. Louis, Missouri - Charles Gibson - ABC

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Bush and Kerry met for the third and final debate at Arizona State University on October 13. Transcript and Video 51 million viewers watched the debate, while only 15.2 million viewers tune in to watch the Major League Baseball championship games broadcast simultaneously.

Related Topics:
Arizona State University - Major League Baseball

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