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MR. SCHIEFFER: Well, gentlemen, that brings us to the closing statements.
Senator Kerry, I believe you're first.
 SEN.
KERRY: My fellow Americans, as you heard from Bob Schieffer a moment
ago, America is being tested by division. More than ever, we need to
be united as a country. And like Franklin Roosevelt, I don't care whether
an idea is a Republican idea or a Democrat idea, I just care whether
it works for America and whether it's going to make us stronger.
These are dangerous times. I believe I offer tested, strong leadership
that can calm the waters of a troubled world. And I believe that we
can together do things that are within the grasp of Americans. We can
lift our schools up. We can create jobs that pay more than the jobs
we're losing overseas. We can have health care for all Americans. We
can further the cause of equality in our nation.
Let me just make it clear, I will never allow any country to have a
veto over our security. Just as I fought for our country as a young
man, with the same passion I will fight to defend this nation that I
love. And with faith in God and with conviction in the mission of America,
I believe that we can reach higher. I believe we can do better. I think
the greatest possibilities of our country, our dreams and our hopes,
are out there just waiting for us to grab on to them. And I ask you
to embark on that journey with me. I ask you for your trust. I ask you
for your help. I ask you to allow me the privilege of leading this great
nation of ours, of helping us to be stronger here at home and to be
respected again in the world, and most of all to be safer forever.
Thank you, good night, and God bless the United States of
America.
MR. SCHIEFFER: Mr. President.
 PRESIDENT
BUSH: In the Oval Office there's a painting by a friend of Laura and
mine named -- by Tom Lee. It's a West Texas painting, a painting of
a mountain scene, and he said this about it. He said, "Sarah and
I live on the east side of the mountains, the sunrise side, not the
sunset side. It's the side to see the day that is coming, not to see
the day that is gone." I love the optimism in that painting 'cause
that's how I feel about America.
You know, we've been through a lot together during the last three-and-three-quarters
years. We've come through a recession, a stock-market decline, an attack
on our country. And yet, because of the hard work of the American people
and good policies, this economy is growing. Over the next four years,
we'll make sure the economy continues to grow.
We reformed our school system, and now there's an achievement gap in
America that's beginning to close. Over the next four years, we'll continue
to insist on excellence in every classroom in America so that our children
have a chance to realize the great promise of America.
Over the next four years, we'll continue to work to make sure health
care is available and affordable. Over the next four years, we'll continue
to rally the armies of compassion to help heal the hurt that exists
in some of our country's neighborhoods.
I'm optimistic that we'll win the war on terror, but I understand it
requires firm resolve and clear purpose. We must never waver in the
face of this enemy that -- these ideologues of hate.
And as we pursue the enemy wherever it exists, we'll also spread freedom
and liberty. We've got great faith in the ability of liberty to transform
societies, to convert a hostile world to a peaceful world. My hope for
America is a prosperous America, a hopeful America, and a safer world.
I want to thank you for listening tonight. I'm asking for your vote.
God bless you.
 MR.
SCHIEFFER: Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Senator Kerry.
Well, that brings these debates to a close, but the campaign goes on.
I want to wish both of you the very best of luck between now and Election
Day.
That's it for us from Arizona State University and Tempe, Arizona. I'm
Bob Schieffer, CBS News. Good night, everyone.
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