THE CHARACTER ISSUE: Bush: He changes positions on something as fundamental as what you believe is right in Iraq. You cannot lead if you send mixed messages. They send the wrong signals to our troops, our allies, and the Iraqi citizens. There must be certainty from the United States President.

Kerry: Bush has done it more than I have in terms of the Presidency, and it’s tough. Nice words on the daughters, and Laura Bush. To the point: It’s one thing to be certain, but you can be certain and be wrong. You’ve got to change and get your policy right. He’s not acknowledging the truth on the ground, on stem cells, on science. (Stem cells must be polling well.)

Bush: You shift tactics based on what’s working, but you don’t change your core values because of politics and because of pressure.

Kerry: I’ve never wavered in my life. I’ve been consistent on Iraq. Saddam Hussein was a threat, he needed to be disarmed but we didn’t need to rush to war. Hmm.