Polls give victory to Kerry in final duel

SENATOR John Kerry scored another decisive victory in the third and final election campaign debate with US President George W Bush.

Polls by CNN, CBS and ABC all gave Mr Kerry the edge in the encounter, which focused mainly on domestic policy.

A CNN poll taken immediately after the debate found that 52% of those surveyed believed Mr Kerry was the debate winner, compared to 39% for Mr Bush.

CBS found that 39% of undecided voters believed Kerry was the stronger candidate, while 25% favoured Bush and 36% felt it was a tie. An ABC poll gave Mr Kerry a smaller victory 42% to 41% - among registered voters who watched the debate. But the network said more Republicans watched the debate, adding: “That makes the draw more of an accomplishment for Kerry.”

Mr Bush and the Massachusetts Senator were quizzed at Arizona State University in Tempe, about their policies on tax, the economy, jobs and social issues like abortion and gun control.

The encounter was crucial for Mr Bush, who saw his poll lead slip following the first two debates. The men have hit a statistical dead heat in the latest polls.

Mr Kerry accused Mr Bush of mismanaging the economy. He repeated his pledge to roll back tax breaks for people earning over $200,000 a year. Mr Kerry said Mr Bush “is also the only president in 72 years to lose jobs - 1.6 million jobs lost”.

Mr Bush claimed his opponent’s policies were not properly costed. “There is a tax gap and guess who usually ends up filling the tax gap. The middle class,” he said. Mr Kerry replied: “Being lectured by the president on fiscal policy is like Tony Soprano talking to me about law and order in this country.”

He said he would raise the minimum wage from just over $5 per hour to $7 per hour.

The men were also questioned on border control. Some 4,000 people still cross the border illegally every day, posing a terrorist threat. Mr Kerry said the borders were more porous than before September 11. Mr Bush said that was an “outrageous claim”.

Mr Bush again attempted to suggest that Mr Kerry would seek permission of the international community before declaring war to protect the US.

His challenger shot back: “I have never suggested a test where we turn over our security to another nation.

“But I think it makes sense... that we ought to pass a truth standard. That’s how you gain legitimacy in the world.”

On the issue of gay marriage, both men were opposed, but supported rights for homosexual couples.

On abortion, Mr Kerry said the decision was a choice between “a woman, God and her doctor”.

But Mr Bush said he supported laws which would “help reduce the number of abortions”.

Mr Bush also gave a defence against claims that his leadership was influenced by his Christianity.

“I believe that God wants everybody to be free,” he said. “And that’s been part of my foreign policy. In Afghanistan, I believe that the freedom there is a gift from the Almighty.” On healthcare, Mr Kerry said five million people had lost health insurance. But Mr Bush said the alternative of Government-run healthcare would lead to “rationing” and “less choice”.

Among the statistics there were moments of warmth.

Mr Bush told how it was “love at first sight” when he met his wife Laura.

And Mr Kerry remembered his mother’s final words of advice on her death bed. They were “integrity, integrity, integrity”.