Kerry said Bush failed to exhaust diplomatic solutions before ordering the invasion of Iraq and that the US was left with 90 percent of the cost and 90 percent of the casualties. "Now we have this incredible mess in Iraq -- US$200 billion," Kerry charged. "It's not what the American people thought they were getting when they voted."
Bush ridiculed his opponent, saying he denigrated US allies in the war, voted against the US$87 billion measure to aid Afghanistan and Iraq and sent mixed signals.
"What's his message going to be? Please join us in Iraq for a grand diversion?" Bush said to Kerry's contention that he could summon broader international support for the war.
"They're not going to follow someone whose core convictions keep changing because of politics," he said.
While Iraq was the dominant issue in the debate, there were notable differences on North Korea and Iran. Kerry urged that the US hold direct bilateral talks with North Korea rather than the six-nation talks that Bush initiated to defuse the crisis.
Bush called Kerry's proposal "a big mistake" that would crush the multinational talks and remove pressure from China on North Korea. Kerry said North Korea has amassed more nuclear weapons during Bush's administration.
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