Recommended opening debate remarks for Kerry

Ladies and gentlemen of America, my job here tonight is clear. I must show you that as president I will protect us and our interests against the terrorist that seek not just to weaken our resolve, and turn us against each other here at home. They seek to kill as many of us as they can in any manner available to them.

Today the majority of the American people believe that America is on the wrong track. In fact as my opponent so helpfully pointed out just a few days ago a larger proportion of Iraqis believe their county is on the right track -- a country with wide swaths of territory under control of insurgents, daily attacks and bombings. What more proof does Mr. Bush need to realize how dissatisfied our citizens are with the way the current administration has been handling the economy, the environment, and yes, even the war on terror.

Today the majority of the American people disapprove of the performance Mr. Bush has given us as president. He has presided over the worst history of job creation since the great depression. His tax and budget priorities have turned record surpluses into record deficits. He told the American people four years ago that he intended to be a uniter, not a divider. But the policies he has supported have only further divided us.

Let me tell you here today that I will protect our great nation from the perils of terrorism not only just as well and Mr. Bush, I will do it better. Let me tell you how...