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MR. LEHRER: All right, that brings us to closing statements. And as
-- and again, as determined by a coin toss, Senator Kerry, you go first,
and you have two minutes.
SEN. KERRY: Thank you, Jim, very much. Thank you very much to the university
again. Thank you, Mr. President.
My fellow Americans, as I said at the very beginning of this debate,
both President Bush and I love this country very much. There's no doubt,
I think, about that. But we have a different set of convictions about
how we make our country stronger here at home and respected again in
the world.
 I
know that for many of you sitting at home, parents of kids in Iraq,
you want to know who's the person who could be a commander in chief
who can get your kids home and get the job done and win the peace? And
for all the rest of the parents in America who are wondering about their
kids going to a school or anywhere else in the world, what kind of world
they're going to grow up in, let me look you in the eye and say to you:
I defended this country as a young man in war, and I will defend it
as president of the United States.
But I have a difference with this president. I believe we're strongest
when we reach out and lead the world and build strong alliances. I have
a plan for Iraq. I believe we can be successful. I'm not talking about
leaving. I'm talking about winning. And we need a fresh start, a new
credibility, a president who can bring allies to our side.
I also have a plan to win the war on terror, funding Homeland Security;
strengthening our military; cutting off finances; reaching out to the
world; again, building strong alliances.
I believe America's best days are ahead of us, because I believe that
the future belongs to freedom, not to fear. That's the country that
I'm going to fight for. And I ask you to give me the opportunity to
make you proud. I ask you to give me the opportunity to lead this great
nation so that we can be stronger here at home, respected again in the
world and have responsible leadership that we deserve.
MR. LEHRER: Mr. President, two minutes.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you very much tonight, Jim, Senator.
 If
America shows uncertainty or weakness in this decade, the world will
drift toward tragedy. That's not going to happen so long as I'm your
president. In the next four years we will continue to strengthen our
homeland defenses, we will strengthen our intelligence gathering services,
we will reform our military, the military will be an all-volunteer army.
We will continue to stay on the offense. We will fight the terrorists
around the world so we do not have to face them here at home. We'll
continue to build our alliances. I'll never turn over America's national
security needs to leaders of other countries as we continue to build
those alliances.
And we'll continue to spread freedom. I believe in the transformational
power of liberty. I believe that a free Iraq is in this nation's interests.
I believe a free Afghanistan is in this
nation's interests. And I believe both the free Afghanistan and free
Iraq will serve as a powerful example for millions who plead in silence
for liberty in the broader Middle East.
We've done a lot of hard work together over the last three and a half
years. We've been challenged, and we've risen to those challenges. We've
climbed the mighty mountain. I see the valley below, and it's a valley
of peace. By being steadfast and resolute and strong, by keeping our
word, by supporting our troops, we can achieve the peace we all want.
I appreciate your listening tonight. I ask for your vote. And may God
continue to bless our great land.
MR. LEHRER: And that ends tonight's debate. A reminder: the second presidential
debate will be a week from tomorrow, October 8th, from Washington University
in St. Louis. Charles Gibson of ABC news will moderate a town hall-type
event. Then, on October 13th, from Arizona State University in Tempe,
Bob Schiffer of CBS News will moderate an exchange on domestic policy
that will be similar in format to tonight's. Also, this coming Tuesday
at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, the vice presidential
candidates, Vice President Cheney and Senator Edwards, will debate with
my PBS colleague Gwen Ifill moderating.
For now, thank you, Senator Kerry, President Bush. From Coral Gables,
Florida, I'm Jim Lehrer. Thank you and good night. (Applause.)
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