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The Morning Grind / Political Hot Topics |
Iraq focus of first debate
 |  John Kerry and President Bush criticized each other about their plans for the war in Iraq. |
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 VIDEO |
 Debate between Bush and Kerry (Part 1)
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| DEBATE DATES |  October 5
Vice presidential debate: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
October 8
Second presidential debate: Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
October 13
Third presidential debate: Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
All debates start at 9 p.m. ET
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Check out the links below to hot political stories around the country this morning.
IRAQ DEBATE: John Kerry and President Bush clashed sharply over the war in Iraq last night during the first debate of the presidential campaign season, with the senator from Massachusetts accusing the incumbent of making a ''colossal error" while Bush said his challenger had switched positions so many times he could not be a credible commander in chief.IRAQ DEBATE: John Kerry and President Bush clashed sharply over the war in Iraq last night during the first debate of the presidential campaign season, with the senator from Massachusetts accusing the incumbent of making a ''colossal error" while Bush said his challenger had switched positions so many times he could not be a credible commander in chief.The Boston Globe: Round one: Bush, Kerry trade tough words on Iraq
TRADING VOTES?: The House ethics committee admonished Majority Leader Tom DeLay Thursday night for offering a political favor to a Michigan lawmaker in exchange for the member's vote on last year's hard-fought Medicare prescription drug bill. The Washington Post: Ethics panel rebukes DeLay
WHOSE TAB?: An inquiry by John Kerry's campaign into how it can legally finance any recount that may follow this year's election has ignited a debate between the Bush campaign and some members of Congress over whether unlimited soft money contributions can be used for that purpose. And there is no concrete answer yet from the Federal Election Commission. The New York Times: Issue raised with FEC about paying for recounts
RIPPING FLIP FLOPS: President Bush last night accused John Kerry of sending "mixed messages" tantamount to admitting defeat in Iraq, a conflict that his rival called "a colossal error in judgment" and a diversion from the war on terror. The Washington Post: Bush rips Iraq flip-flops
SPIN CYCLE: Rivals take turns putting their spin on the data related to war on terror and national security. The Los Angeles Times: Candidates call facts as they see them
NO PINNOCHIO HERE: President Bush and John Kerry made few major factual errors in last night's debate, though on occasion they stretched the truth or left out inconvenient facts -- or may have confused viewers as they spoke in policy shorthand. The Washington Post: Few factual errors, but truth got stretched at times
EYES ON THE PRIZE: For 90 minutes last night, John Kerry tried to make political gains by reviving a strategy that helped him in the 2004 Democratic debates and primaries: castigating the president on Bush's signature issue, national security, while pledging to be a stronger commander in chief, the essence of Kerry's "bring it on" mantra challenging Bush. The Boston Globe: Kerry stays focused, projects strength
CREATING CONVERTS: For at least one focus group that watched the debate, the Democrat was more 'presidential' than Bush, who stumbled on answers. The Los Angeles Times: Kerry wins over some in Pennsylvania
LURKING DRAFT: Talk of a military draft keeps blowing in the wind this campaign season, and it is giving many people chills. The Boston Globe: Democrats seize on draft fears; revival seen unlikely
FINAL DRAW: President Bush and Sen. John Kerry essentially stuck to their scripts, landed few significant blows and fought to a draw in last night's opening presidential debate, political strategists from both parties said. The Washington Times: Political strategists declare debate a draw
STANDING FIRM: In the end, it was a real debate: sharp and scrappy, just what the nation seemed to yearn for during a wartime election campaign. The New York Times: Standing firm for 90 minutes
ADS AT IT AGAIN: Two commercials targeting Rep. Marilyn Musgrave are sponsored by 527 group Colorado Families First. Analysts call them "over the top." The Los Angeles Times: Aggressive TV ads enrage Colorado GOP
STORM STRATEGY: With weary residents focusing on the cleanup, not the campaign, the president's plan for the crucial state is retooled. Relief funds don't hurt. The Los Angeles Times: Storms toss Bush Florida strategy
Compiled by Heather Riley
