US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA2224

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