the war on terror and foreign policy's going to take center stage at the first presidential debate this week on Thursday.

Later this week, I'm going to have an opportunity to debate my opponent. Been a little tough to prepare for the debates, because he keeps changing his positions.

You cannot lead if you get blown around by the political winds.

You can't lead this country if your ally in Iraq feels like you question his credibility. The message ought to be to the Iraqi people, we support you.

One reason I'm optimistic about our ability to get the job done is because I talked to the Iraqi prime minister.

If we stop fighting the terrorists in Iraq, they would be free to plot and plan attacks elsewhere in America and other free nations.

We're sickened by the atrocities, but we'll never be intimidated, and freedom is winning.

The way to secure Iraq and bring our troops home as quickly as possible is not to wilt or waver or send mixed signals to the enemy.

Today, the Iraqi and Afghan people are on the path to democracy and freedom. The governments that are rising will pose no threat to others. Instead of harboring terrorists, they're fighting terrorist groups. And this progress is good for…

But these difficulties will not shake our conviction that the future of Afghanistan and Iraq is a future of liberty. The proper response to difficulty is not to retreat, it is to prevail.

They were just guessing as to what the conditions might be like. The Iraqi citizens are defying the pessimistic predictions. The Iraqi citizens are headed toward free elections.

The Bush and Kerry camps have agreed to three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate.