Immediate polls after the encounter gave Kerry an easy lead over Bush (AFP)

WASHINGTON, October 1 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Senator John Kerry accused President George W. Bush of committing “colossal mistakes” by invading Iraq, as the incumbent said in their first TV debate that he is confident he would win the November elections.

As tens of millions of Americans watched the televised confrontation, Bush countered that Kerry was undermining US credibility in the so-called war on terrorism with “mixed messages” about whether the offensive on the oil-rich country was worth the cost.

Kerry went into the debate needing a strong performance and some instant polls straight after said he had beaten the president. A Gallup poll for CNN gave Kerry a 46 percent to 37 percent win over the president.

Iraq and national security dominated as the two candidates first face-off over how to stabilize that war-torn country, where more than almost 10,000 US soldiers were killed and injured amid deadly chaos that shows no sign of ebbing, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

I Can Do Better

Kerry threw the first punch in the political prizefight by confidently declaring “I can do a better job” on Iraq and on averting another terrorist attack like the September 11 strikes.

He said that a more considered policy in Iraq could change the dynamics on the ground and allow the United States to start withdrawing troops in six months.

US and Iraqi forces poured into central Samarra early Friday, killing up to 100 people.

“This president, I don't know if he sees what's really happened on there. But it's getting worse by the day,” said Kerry.

Kerry said Bush had left the US bearing 90% of the casualties and 90% of the costs in Iraq.

Diverting Resources

Bush sounded defensive, and frequently shot annoyed glances at Kerry (AFP)

Kerry charged that Bush unnecessarily diverted resources from the hunt for Osama bin Laden to the invasion of Iraq, saying: “This president has made, I regret to say, a colossal error of judgment. And judgment is what we look for in the president.”

“The world is better off without Saddam Hussein,” reiterated Bush, who painted his rival as fickle on crucial national security issues, noting he voted to authorize the Iraq invasion in 2002 but against funding the offensive in 2003.

“We're not going to achieve our objective if we send mixed signals to our troops, our friends, the Iraqi citizens,” said Bush.

“You cannot lead if you send mixed messages.”

“I've had one position, one consistent position, that Saddam Hussein was a threat. There was a right way to disarm him and a wrong way. And the president chose the wrong way,” countered the Massachusetts senator.

Bush, on the other hand, expressed confidence that he would win the November elections.

“I believe I'm going to win, because the American people know I know how to lead... I understand everybody in this country doesn't agree with the decisions I've made. And I made some tough decisions. But people know where I stand.”

The candidates' different styles were on display early. Kerry sought to back up policy proposals with statistics and details while Bush countered with broad principles he said fueled his outlook.

Amid signs of slipping US public support for his policy towards Iraq, Bush sounded defensive, and frequently shot annoyed glances at Kerry, who in turn frequently looked down at his notes during the president's answers.

Tie Debate

Leading US dailies Friday agreed that the debate was a tie.

“If Americans who tuned into last night's presidential debate were waiting for one of the candidates to catch the other in a fatal error, or leave him stammering, the event was obviously a draw,” wrote The New York Times.

Before the confrontation, the Republican and Democratic rivals shook hands and exchanged tense smiles before taking cover behind matching lecterns.

Kerry, a four-term senator, has trailed in polls that indicate that undecided voters may be open to a change of president, but have yet to warm to him.

Bush hoped to build on a five-to-eight point edge in national polls and leads in many of the battleground states expected to decide one of the most hard-fought elections in recent US history.

Kerry's backers were convinced their man had done enough to jolt the White House race back to life, and claimed Bush looked edgy and defensive.

Outspoken Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry Mcauliffe claimed Kerry came out as the statesman of the pair, while Bush looked like “an ostrich who has his head in the sand.”

Republican spin meisters claimed the president's opponent had once again been exposed as indecisive.

“This debate showed that John Kerry is once again willing to say almost anything that suits his political moment,” said top Bush advisor Karen Hughes.

The two clashed on approaches to the North Korean nuclear crisis -- Bush warning against Kerry's call for bilateral talks -- and to Iran's moves to develop a nuclear program.

But both agreed that the most serious threat to US national security was the possibility that terrorists like bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network might get their hands on nuclear materials.

And Kerry and Bush called the violence sweeping through Sudan's troubled Darfur region “genocide” while saying they opposed sending US troops there.

Kerry and Bush will take part in a second debate in Missouri, on October 8, in a town-hall-style meeting where they will take questions from the audience.

The final debate is set for 13 October in Arizona, and will focus on domestic issues.

Vice-President Dick Cheney and Kerry's running mate, John Edwards, will hold a single debate in Ohio on 5 October.