‘Bush gave compelling performance’

President Bush and John Kerry debated for 90 minutes Thursday night about the Iraq war, terrorism and homeland security, each making a pitch to voters that he is better suited to run the country.

Majority of those interviewed by the Saipan Tribune for their comments on the debate favored Bush’s performance, describing the president as appearing authoritative and compelling.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who watched the debate from his office, said he found it “most informative.”

“I’m for President Bush, of course!” he said, laughing. “But let me say that both candidates made responsible responses to the many questions. But after all what is said and done, I think the issue boils down to character. If I were an undecided voter, I think that my vote is going to be based on the character of the candidate. In this case, I think President Bush would have my vote hands down.”

Babauta conceded that Kerry was a bit smoother than the president “but that’s because Kerry has 20 years of training in the Senate. The Senate is a breeding ground for orators. He may have a little edge there over the president. But just because you’re smooth [doesn’t mean] you have substance. Well, they both have substance but what this election is going to boil down to is character and trust. The president demonstrated that well.”

Chuck Jordan, the governor’s special assistant for capital improvement projects and a self-described “long-time Republican,” said he watched about half of the debate and thinks the incumbent did a very good job.

“If I were voting this election, he [Bush] would have my vote. I want a strong leader, a president who knows the current situation. To change presidents at this date would be a wrong signal to send to the world community,” Jordan said.

Alex Sablan, president of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, echoed this, saying Bush made a strong showing.

“He would be the president, again. His arguments were to the point and consistent. Maybe I’m biased because I’m a Republican, but I really think Bush would lead us better than Kerry would during tough times,” said Sablan.

Twenty-four-year-old salesman James Lee said his support for President Bush was further enhanced after watching the debate because “a leader must be firm and Kerry, to me, has not been firm.”

“At first, Kerry supported Bush’s campaign on the war in Iraq, then he says he’s against it. What does that show? He made the decision to support it, and now when things don’t seem to be going to well with many people, he pulls his support,” said Lee. “He also criticized that soldiers were not with proper equipment, when he did not vote on the measure that would increase funds for the war on Iraq.”

As for Kerry’s assertion that the Iraq war is “a wrong war at the wrong time in the wrong place,” Lee said he agrees that the war is not linked to Osama bin Laden, “but what kind of leader will say something like that at a time when the nation’s soldiers are currently at the forefront of the battle? How would the soldiers or their families react to that? How will that affect their spirit?”

“I would go for Bush because he already started war, he might as well finish what he did. He’s been involved with it,” Lee added.

Christopher Santos, a student, praised Kerry’s performance, saying the senator did a good job in pointing out that the war has nothing to do with Osama bin Laden.

“How did we get from going after bin Laden to tracking down Saddam Hussein? I think Kerry, being that he knows what the soldiers are going through because he fought in the Vietnam War, boosted his support with the debate. He clearly showed that he will do whatever it takes to support the troops, but he also specified that the actions Bush took in rushing into the war without much allies is wrong,” said Santos. (Liberty Dones. Agnes Donato, and Shan Seman)