The debates begin in -8 minutes. My tv is tuned to Fox News. Everything looks ready to go. Did anyone see Laura Bush go over and say hello to Tay-ray-zah? Very classy. I'll post here when something of interest strikes my fancy. The "time limit" boxes are hilarious. Word is that Kerry hates them. If you go over the limit and the red light comes on three times, a loud buzzing starts. Ha!

Thanks to Richard for pointing me in the direction of the debate script, which is being updated EVERY TIME Kerry says something incorrect. You can find that below my updates.

9:05PM: The topic: Who would make a better President and why?
Kerry comes out swinging. I have to give it to him, he's doing it with some finesse. Not that I agree with what he's saying of course. He's not winning me over with anything he's said so far. We're only five minutes in though...things can change. We'll see.

9:08PM: The topic: Would a Kerry presidency bring more terrorists attacks?
Bush came out from the start with "I'm not going to lose". That may put some undecided voters off. He's making some very good points though about terrorists and how to defeat them. He's very strong on this point. I hope he stays this way through the rest of the night with his answers. He's very definite about what he believes we need to do. Kerry's next.

9:11PM: How appropriate. The topic: The mistakes Bush made in the War on Terror.
Kerry doesn't believe that the U.S. has done enough. He believes something...I can't even follow him now. He keeps changing the topic on me. Geez. Slow down Senator. You can get it all in tonight...I promise.

Bush on rebuttal quotes Kerry on war intelligence..the SAME intelligence he supported. Touche. Bush-1 Kerry-0.

9:15PM: The topic: Going after Osama and terrorists. Succession in Iraq.
Bush is stumbling in his speech a little. He seems to have found his groove though.

Kerry on rebuttal: Kerry says that Iraq wasn't "even close to the war on terror" until he made war on the country. What?!? What world does Kerry live in? Oh my God...Kerry just had the NERVE to say "You don't send kids off to war without the body armour." Bush had better lay into his ass. Kerry just dug himself into a HUGE hole!

Bush on rebuttal: Bush is pointing out the flip-flopping of Kerry. "Wrong war..Wrong time...Wrong place"

Kerry on rebuttal: Says that he will succeed in Iraq and that the war was a mistake. Wants to bring allies to the table.

9:20PM: The topic: Homeland Security
Kerry is making points about how unsecure America is. I agree, we should be more secure. He's talking about the tax cuts, which btw he gets because he's rich. Bush does too. Now he's talking about the Soviet Union...or something.

Bush on rebuttal: Bush is talking about what he's done to protect this country. Discussing the Patriot Act and it's renewal. "The best way to protect you is to stay on the offense"

Kerry on rebuttal: Kerry is making a good point about the unlistened to FBI tapes.

Bush just cut in (I think...correct me if I'm wrong) and said that he wakes up every morning wondering what he can do to protect America.

9:25PM: The topic: What criteria would you use to determine to bring troops home from Iraq?
Bush says that we need to train the Iraqi people to protect themselves, which is what we are doing. Wants to achieve an objective before he brings the troops home. Good answer. He's talking about Kerry's "artificial deadlines" and how you can't expect to win the war on terror with those deadlines. "A free Iraq will be an ally in the war on terror."

Kerry on rebuttal: Thanks military and says that help is on the way. He's bringing up the former Bush's reasons for not going all the way into Iraq, mainly that there was no way back out if we went in. Wants to bring more allies in to help our troops.

Bush on rebuttal: Again with the "wrong war...wrong place...wrong time" and the wrong message to the troops that it's sending.

Kerry on rebuttal: Kerry said that he made a mistake on how he talked about the war before he was against it and that Bush made a worse mistake by going into war.

9:30PM: The topic: Not really sure of the topic, but Jim brought up Kerry's speech when he came back from Vietnam. Kerry is discussing allies again and how Bush hasn't held "statesmenlike summits" and that he's pushed allies away.

Bush on rebuttal: Bush says that there are allies with us in this war and he brings some up. "Please join us in Iraq for a grande diversion." Bush really needs to stop with the "wrong war...wrong place...wrong time" stuff. It's a good point, but he's repeating it to the point that even I am annoyed by it.

Kerry on rebuttal: We can do better than the allies we have.

Bush on rebuttal: Bush does not appreciate Kerry's words about our allies and their contributions.

9:35PM: The topic: Miscalculation in post-war Iraq and how it happened.
Bush: Um...we won the war...um...fast....um. I don't think he's really answered the question yet, at least not to my satisfaction.

Kerry rebuttal: Even knowing there were no WMD's and such, he still would've done it. Kerry would not. "Truth is what good policy is based on." Has nothing but respect for our allies, but 8,000 British troops and such is a genuine coalition. Bringing up nukes in North Korea. Says he'll change that.

9:38PM: The topic: Bush not telling the truth in Iraq and examples.
Kerry: Nuclear weapons that didn't exist. Crappy coalition. Exhaust remedies of UN, but didn't. Rushed to war without planning what happens afterwards. Mislead American people. Cost us deeply in the world. Has worked with foreign leaders longer than Bush and that he can bring them to our side. Wants to reach out to Muslim world.

Bush rebuttal: Bush says that the right action was in Iraq. Says that even Kerry said that Iraq had WMD's and that the war was right. Says that misleading is saying you can lead and change the position in Iraq if you keep changing your positions. They saw the same intelligence and that Kerry supported him and THAT intelligence.

Kerry rebuttal: Kerry said that he wasn't misleading.

Bush on rebuttal: You cannot keep changing positions to win this war. We have a duty to future generations to do this.

9:43PM: The topic: Has the war been worth the cost of lives?
Bush says that he doesn't want to put troops in harm's way and he brings up an example about a woman who lost her husd in the war. Says that he understands the stakes in this war.

Kerry on rebuttal: Understands what it's like to lose people in combat. "It is vital to not confuse the war with the warriors." Wants to make sure the outcome honors that nobility. I think this is a VERY good response to the question. I don't agree with him on Bush "not getting the job done". He just pimped his site. Lord. Pimp mine! Pimp mine! *coughs*

Bush on rebuttal: Blank stare. Again damnit with the "wrong war..."

Kerry on rebuttal: The Pottery Barn rule. I see a red light. Come on...buzz. I want to hear a buzz. Damn. No buzz.

9:48PM: The topic: Can you give us specifics for ending major U.S. military involvement in Iraq.
Kerry says that Bush has misled people on what Kerry's said. Convince the Iraq that we don't have long-term designs on them. Wants to change dynamics on the ground, close the borders, etc.

Bush on rebuttal: Points out that our military is trained and that we are getting the job done. Says that it's a hard job, but we're doing it. Brings up Allawi and Kerry's questioning of his credibility and that his (Kerry's) campaign people said that Allawi was a "puppet".

Kerry on rebuttal: Bush still hasn't shown right way to bring freedom to Iraq. He can do better.

Bush on rebuttal: Terrorists are pouring across borders because they hate what the U.S. is doing over there and they are scared.

9:54PM: The topic: Does Iraqi experience make it less/more likely to take U.S. into another war.
Bush says that he never wants to do it again, but will if it means keeping us safe. "A President must always be willing to use troops as a last resort." Talking about Suddam's nose-thumbing towards the resolutions and what the world would be like if we hadn't have went into Iraq. We've affected the world in a positive way. Brings up Libya as an example.

Kerry on rebuttal: Brings up something Bush said...the enemy attacked us. Not Iraq, Osama did. We had Osama surrounded and we let him go by allowing warlords and such to do our job for us and they failed.

Bush on rebuttal: He's aware that Osama attacked us, but another round of resolutions for Suddam is ludicrous.

Kerry on rebuttal: More countries could've made WMD's than Iraq. Brings up North Korea again. He would've made better choice.

9:58PM: The topic: What is your position on preemptive war?
Kerry says that he would do it to protect the U.S., but only if it passes the global test. Hrm. Okay Senator. I'll remember that one. Says that our credibility has been damaged because Bush "took his eye off that ball". Bringing up some treaties that Bush has passed on.

Bush on rebuttal: Passes the global test? Even Bush is confused. I'm glad he brought this point up, because Kerry was REALLY stupid to say it. Bush is now talking about treaties, such as the foreign criminal courts. Kerry is for the International Criminal Court. Says that he's not going to make a bad decision to be popular in the world.

10:02PM: The topic: North Korea and Iran
Bush says that N.Korean's did not honor agreement towards nukes and such. LOL...he said "peninshula". He's stumbling over his words a bit. And his groove is back. Wants to convince Iranians to abandon creation of nuclear programs.

Kerry on rebuttal: Believes we could've done better. Wanted to sanction Iran. Says that Bush embarrassed N. Korea and that is why they shut us out.

Lauer makes sure that viewers know the view of both candidates on N. Korea.

Bush on rebuttal: Talks about Kim breaking the agreement. We've already sanctioned Iran...you can't sanction them anymore.

10:07PM: The topic: Sudan and the possibilty of sending in troops.
Kerry is still talking about the sanctions on Iran and how we should've been working with other countries. Okay, on Sudan: yes it is a genocide. We don't need to send military in right now...we're overextended. Man, I've got to pee. Backdoor draft? WTF is he talking about? He fails to mention that more Democrats want a draft that Republicans. I'll have to find a link.

Bush on rebuttal: Back to Iran. Enough with Iran. Agrees with Sudan is genocide. I'm going to pee. Talk slow President!

10:10PM: The topic: Serious character issues to deny someone to be President.
Bush admires Kerry's service to our country and that he's a great Dad. Appreciates that his daughters have been kind to his. Admires his 20 years as a Senator, though he doesn't admire his work as a Senator. Won't hold it against him that he went to Yale. And Kerry smiles. How charming. Watch out John E! Bush doesn't like his flip-flopping.

Kerry on rebuttal: Appreciates his personal comments and he shares them. Chuckled at Bush's daughter's comments. Bush wants to put a leash on them. Has GREAT admiration for Laura. How very nice of Kerry. To the topic...you can be certain and be wrong. Says that Bush isn't acknowledging stem cell research, global warming. Certainty can get you in trouble.

Bush on rebuttal: Won't change core values because of pressure or otherwise.

Kerry on rebuttal: Has no intention of wilting or wavering that his position has been consistent. Really John...let's not be crazy here.

10:16PM: The topic: If elected President, single most threat to our security.
Kerry: Getting rid of nuclear weapons and the creation of such. Bush has secured less nuclear materials since before 911. Has cut funding to finding those materials. Says that U.S. is persuing nuclear weapons, but we don't want anyone else to have them.

Bush on rebuttal: We've increased for dealing with nuclear weapons. Proliferation Security Initiative: putting a stop to creation of nuclear weapons. Bringing up a few examples on how he's been successful.

Laurer: It's correct to say that you both agree the single most serious topic is nuclear proliferation?

Bush: Yes, in the hands of terrorists.
Kerry: Yes, but I can do it in less time.
Bush: Bilateral talks are a big mistake.

Last question...

10:21PM: The topic: Putin and Russia...Did you misjudge him?
Bush: It's not okay what Putin is doing and there has to be checks and balances. Putin, though, is a strong ally for the U.S. Has a good relationship with Putin and that's important, even though they don't agree on some things.

Kerry on rebuttal: We always have to stand up for democracy. Wants to go back to China and N. Korea: we can have bilateral talks and get weapons and get China at the same time.

Bush on rebuttal: You know my position on North Korea. I can't say anything else. They both looked at the same intelligence and he doesn't hold it against him that he said "grave threat". He looked at the same intelligence.

Kerry on rebuttal: The American people did not get what they thought they were getting.

Closing Statements:

Kerry: Both of them love this country, but they have different set of convictions. "I defended this country as a young man in war, and I will defend this country as President of the United States." Not talking about leaving Iraq, talking about helping it. Reaching out to world. Building strong alliances. Our best days are ahead of us. We deserve responsible leadership.

Bush: Will continue to strengthen homeland defenses and military. It WILL be an all-volunteer army. Wants to continue alliances, but will never hand over choices to other countries. Free Afghanistan and Iraq will only help the world and help freedom. "By being steadfast and resolute and strong and keeping our word, supporting our troops, we can achieve the peace we all want."

And tttthhhhaaaattttt's all folks. I think Laura and Tay-ray-zah are discussing clothes. Cute.

Well, I think the debate went really well. I think both were very strong in their statements. I do believe that Kerry said a few key things that may come back to hurt him. I've bolded them. On the same note, Bush wavered a bit and that may come back to bite him in the ass. We'll see. I look forward to the next debate, but I can't say the same for my fingers.

Those of you who missed the debate can catch it again at 2AM EST on Fox News. Or you can go to the site and read the transcripts.

*Live Debate Script Offline Now*