Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04TEGUCIGALPA2224
2004-10-05 21:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION ON THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE,

Tags:  OIIP PREL KPAO PGOV KDEM HO 
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UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002224 

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PDA (OHILTON),WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO PGOV KDEM HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE,
OCTOBER 4, 2004

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002224

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PDA (OHILTON),WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO PGOV KDEM HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE,
OCTOBER 4, 2004


1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based moderate daily "El
Heraldo" on 10/2, entitled "Debate and reality." "Although
the first of three presidential debates was won by the
Democratic candidate John F. Kerry, his victory was far from
being a decisive blow against President Bush, who also lost
the first debate against Al Gore four years ago."

"Even though the focus of the debate was the issue of
national security and foreign policy, the discussions were
practically concentrated on Iraq. Kerry attacked Bush for
his `colossal misjudgments' that diverted him from a real
war against terrorism to invade a country that had nothing
to do with 9/11 and didn't have weapons of mass destruction.
On the other hand, Bush didn't change his position,
stressing that the world is now a safer place."

"No matter what the result of the debate was, of Kerry's
communication skills, or his inability to get a real
advantage against a president who's being haunted by the
reality of his failure in Iraq, the truth is that the White
House's unilateral focus of imperialistic expansionism won't
change regardless of who wins the November election."


2. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La
Prensa" on 10/3, entitled "First round." "Less than a month
before the election, the first presidential debate between
President Bush and Senator Kerry clearly showed that in the
two key issues of foreign policy, Iraq and terrorism, the
differences aren't significant. They're very close in that
regard, it's just a matter of perspective."

"Both candidates presented similar plans to achieve a common
goal. The Democratic candidate didn't dare to propose a
different position, and he didn't address the real causes of
the war in Iraq."

"So far, Kerry's victory in the debate hasn't improved his
numbers in the polls. We'll have to wait after the
forthcoming debates on the U.S. domestic economy and social
policy to find out about the actual outcome of the Miami
debate. The end of this contest will be known on November
2."

Pierce