Bush, Kerry Open Final Debate in Arizona

TEMPE, Ariz. – President Bush and challenger John Kerry opened their third and final debate on Wednesday as each candidate hoped to stamp a last favorable impression on millions of voters before Elecion day.

Both candidates were likely to bring up the Iraq war and terrorism as well, though the debate was supposed to be restricted to domestic issues.

Republican Bush entered the debate touting his record of tax cuts and a new prescription drug benefit. His line of attack was no secret: He has repeatedly labeled Massachusetts Sen. Kerry a liberal who would turn the nation’s health care over to government bureaucrats, raise taxes and weaken national defenses against terrorists.

Democrat Kerry came to the faceoff promoting a detailed health care plan and a promise to ease the financial pinch on middle-class families. He’s put a spotlight on job losses and lobbed accusations that the Republican administration has spent four years doling out favors to powerful friends while raising the tax burden on the middle class.

The 90-minute debate came less than three weeks before voters were to pick the next president. With poll after poll showing the country divided between the two candidates, there was no room for error.

The Bush camp hoped the last debate would erase any lingering negative impressions left by the president’s scowling demeanor in the first. He tempered that image in the second, still testy confrontation.

Kerry had to make sure voters would feel safe turning the White House over to him.

The debate gave the candidates a final, nationwide chance to reach out to undecided voters in the battleground states and to encourage their strongest supporters to turn out in large numbers.