Sen. John Kerry and President Bush have moved into "stump speech mode," which campaign press likes to ignore (since they hear much the same speech over and over and over every day.) But for everyone else, it's good to take a look what they say because, oddly enough, it often shows how they think and foreshadows what they'll do.

Here's a look at speeches given by Kerry and Bush earlier this week while they were both on the campaign trail:

Kerry "But to me, this contest this year is not just about winning a campaign. It is about making America stronger at home and respected in the world. It is about reclaiming the character of our country and the integrity of our politics. "

Bush "We've been through a lot together, and we've accomplished a great deal, but the only reason to look backward is to best determine who to lead us forward, and that's what I'm here to talk about. We've done a lot but there is more to do to move America forward. We've got more to do to create jobs, more to do to improve our schools. We've got more to do to fight terror. We have got more to do to spread liberty and peace."

The first big difference: Kerry starts out talking in terms of "me." Bush talks in terms of "we."

Kerry "I am here today to call for a truthful and robust debate about our values as Americans and the fundamental choices we will make at a critical time in our history. That is what this election should be about. But from the other side, we have seen a calculated effort to evade that debate. The Bush campaign and its allies have turned to the tactics of fear and smear because they can’t talk about jobs, health care, energy independence, and rebuilding our alliances – the real issues that matter to the American people. They have no plans, no positive vision and no understanding of an urgent and undeniable truth -- a stronger America begins at home. "

Bush "We've made much progress. I'm here to tell you I'm ready to lead the country for four more years to do more for the people.

"We have more to do to make our public schools the centers of excellence we know they all can be so that no child is left behind in America. We came to office three-and-a-half years ago, too many children were being shuffled from grade to grade, year after year, without learning the basics. So we decided to try something different. We said we'll send more money back to the states, but in return, we expect results. We're challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations. We're raising the bar. We're empowering parents. We believe in local control of schools, and we're making progress."

Again, Kerry begins with "I am here..." Bush tells the crowd why he's running for president, and then immediately moves back into the team-oriented "we." Looking closer, Kerry says Bush can't talk about the issues. Meanwhile, in Bush's speech, he starts talking about, well, the issues.

Kerry "Next week, the Republicans will hold their convention here in New York. You should be proud of all you have done to prepare for and to protect this event. In the post 9/11 world, New Yorkers, more than most Americans, understand the importance of doing everything we can to make our country safer and more secure. Your city and your first responders have led in that effort and I applaud you for it. "

Bush"There is more work to be done. We've got to make sure we've got more science and math courses for our high school kids. We've got to bring the Internet in to bring the latest to our classrooms. We must have intervention programs to make sure children do not slip behind. We want to make sure a high school diploma means something. After four more years, a rising generation will have the skills and the confidence necessary to realize the American dream.

"We have more to do to make quality health care available and affordable. You might remember the old Medicare debates of the past. Politician after politician, give us a chance to strengthen Medicare, and nothing got done. We got the job done. We now have a Medicare system -- Medicare system that will allow seniors to make their own choices, to meet their own needs, and starting in 2006, a Medicare system that will provide prescription drugs for our seniors."

There goes Bush again, exploiting 9/11 while ignoring other important issues like health care...Wait...Never mind...

Kerry "The world will listen to what the Republicans say when they come here. But words, slogans, and personal attacks cannot disguise what they have done – and left undone. They are going to say that we’ve turned the corner; that the job is getting done. They are even going to claim, as they already have, that this is the best economy of our lifetimes. They have obviously decided that some people will believe anything, no matter how fictional or how far-fetched, if they just repeat it often enough. That’s how they have run their administration; that’s how they’re running their campaign and that’s how they will run their convention. I believe the American people are smarter than that. You can’t cover up reality with a few empty slogans. You can’t lead America by misleading the American people. "

Bush"We've done more. We've expanded community health centers for low-income Americans. We want people getting primary care in these centers, not in emergency rooms. We've created health savings accounts so families can save tax-free for their own health care needs. There is more work to be done. Most people get their health care through jobs, their jobs, and most new jobs are created by small businesses. But many small businesses are having trouble affording health care. In order to allow small businesses to afford health care so American families get the help they need, we must allow small employers to join together to be able to purchase health care at the discounts that big companies get.

"We will harness technology to reduce costs and reduce errors. We will continue to expand research and find new cures. And in order to make sure health care is available, affordable, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we must do something about the frivolous lawsuits that are running up the cost of your medicine."

Kerry is now several paragraphs into his speech, and he hasn't talked about a single issue except how misleading Bush and the Republicans are. Contrast that with Bush: Health care, medicare, prescription drugs. Bush is also making a big deal out of health savings accounts, which Kerry opposed and says he'll do away with if he's elected. Look for that to come up big in the debates.

Kerry "I don’t believe that four years of lost jobs, lower wages, higher health care costs, higher tuitions and tax cuts for the few are the best we can do. America can do better. And we will.

"While our opponents have focused on false reassurance and false attacks, John Edwards and I have traveled across this country, listening and responding to the hopes and concerns of the American people. On front porches, in town squares, in open fields and great cities like this, families have gathered to tell us what matters most to them.

"They tell us to make sure that their sons and daughters in uniform risking their lives half a world away come home to a country where they can have a chance to live out their dreams – to find a good paying job, the chance to start their own business, a home they can pay for, affordable health care, the chance to send their kids to college. "

Bush "See, I don't think you can be pro-doctor and pro-patient and pro-plaintiff attorney at the same time. I think you have to choose. My opponent made his choice, and he put him on the ticket. I made my choice. I have made my choice. I'm standing with the patients and the doctors, the nurses and the hospitals. I am for medical liability reform -- now."

"We've got more to do to make sure this economy is strong. Remember what we've been through in a short period of time. We've been through a recession, we've been through corporate scandals, we've been through the terror attacks. But we've overcome those obstacles. We've overcome the obstacles because the American worker is great. We've overcome the obstacles because the entrepreneurial spirit is strong in America. We've overcome the obstacles because small business owners are dreaming about expanding and creating new jobs. We've overcome the obstacles because our farmers and ranchers know what they're doing. We have overcome those obstacles because of two well-timed tax cuts. We didn't try to pick winners or losers when it came to cutting taxes. We said if you pay taxes, you ought to get relief. We also helped our families. Remember, we raised the child credit. We reduced the marriage penalty. The tax code ought to encourage marriage, not penalize marriage. "

Again, Kerry still hasn't raised a single proposal out of the Kerry-Edwards campaign. And, contrary to what he said, Bush doesn't describe the economy as the best in "our lifetime," but he reminds people all the roadblocks the country faced and overcame. Bush does take a shot at Edwards' profession, so he's on the board with a negative remark.

Kerry "The American people have also told us that they want a country that lives up to its ideals of responsibility, community, and opportunity for all. In the end, their concerns, like this election, are really about values. For four years, we’ve heard a lot of talk in Washington about values. But values are not just words. They’re what we live by. They’re the choices we make. Our values are how we define the difference between right and wrong. And ultimately, this election is not just a choice between Democrats and Republicans, but between what is right for America and policies that are wrong for the American people.

"The fundamental choice we face comes down to this: Because a strong America begins at home, as President, I will be a champion for the middle class and those struggling to join it. "

Bush "We helped our small businesses. Because we acted, our economy since last summer has grown at a rate as fast as nearly -- as any rate in nearly 20 years. Over the last 12 months, we've added nearly 1.5 million new jobs. The unemployment rate across our country is 5.5 percent. That is well below the national average of the '70s, the '80s and the '90s. The unemployment rate in the great state of New Mexico is 5.3 percent.

"We are moving forward. We're not going to go backward. There is more work to be done. In order to keep jobs here in America, we must make sure our regulations are reasonable and fair. In order to keep jobs here in America, we need an energy policy that makes us less dependent on foreign sources of energy. In order to keep jobs here, we've got to do something about these junk lawsuits that are threatening the small business job creators of America. "

Kerry is more than one-third of the way through his speech, and he hasn't offered a specific proposal about anything. Bush has now moved from health care to employment and small business. Make no mistake: He's not exactly reading from a policy book. But so far, who's offered more specific policy ideas?

Kerry"But this administration has weakened our middle class, weakened our economy, neglected the crisis of health care and turned away from the American dream of growth and opportunity for all.

"Every step of the way, George W. Bush has put the narrow interests of the few ahead of the interests of most Americans."

"The middle class has always been the moral and economic backbone of this nation. That's why Franklin Roosevelt signed the G.I. Bill to help people go to college, buy a house, and build their wealth. Under Bill Clinton, we created 23 million new jobs, lifted 7 million Americans out of poverty, and sent millions more Americans to college. The middle class built this nation. They work hard, pay their bills, and do right by their families. Our country ought to do right by them."

Bush"In order to make sure jobs stay here, we want other countries to treat us the way we treat them. Listen, we can compete with anybody, anytime, anywhere, so long as the playing field is level. In order to make sure jobs are here, we've got to have an education system that provides a lifetime of learning for America's workers. Listen, the job base is changing. And some of these new jobs that pay more require new skills. That's why I strongly support helping people go back to the community colleges all across America to gain the skills necessary to fill the jobs of the 21st century."

OK. Kerry now is talking about more than Bush's record. He's talking about FDR's and Clinton's records. But he still hasn't raised a specific policy proposal to his audience. Bush has moved beyond employment and is now on to discussing free markets.

Kerry "Today, there is no more powerful example of the fundamental choice we face in this election than the issue of the economy.

"The Bush administration blamed a weak economy on events out of their control.

"Then they made a big promise of six million new jobs by the middle of 2004. They, in fact, have lost 1.8 million jobs. So now they offer another strategy: denial and attack. And as we will hear at their convention – the pretense that they finally have a plan for jobs."

Bush "In order to make sure jobs stay here and this economy continues to grow, we've got to be wise about how we spend your money. In order to keep jobs here and to keep the economy growing, we need to keep your taxes low. I think taxes are an issue in this campaign. My opponent has already promised over $2 trillion of new spending...

"And we've still got the stretch run. We still got September and October to go. And so they said, how are you going to pay for it. And he used that old, tired class warfare line, we're just going to tax the rich.

"But you know how that works, don't you?"

For the first time, Bush takes a real shot at Kerry by ripping what he says will be the cost of the Democrats' proposals. Fair-minded observers can look at Bush discussing fiscal restraint, and roll their eyes. He's spent a lot. A real lot. But he's also cut taxes, and - unlike Kerry - tells his audience what he stands for on the issue whether they agree or not. He stands for lower taxes. Kerry is half way through his speech, and he's still ripping the Bush Administration without offering a single, solitary policy proposal to his audience.

Kerry "But this is the reality: No jobs. No record they’re willing to run on. And no real plans for the future.

"And you can’t make up for four years in a few days of a convention and a few weeks of campaigning.

"They say our economy has turned a corner. That’s not what John Edwards and I are hearing from people from one end of this country to the other.

"America can do better. And the fundamental choice voters face is this: do we accept an economy that benefits the special interests or do we want an economy that works for the middle class?"

Bush "You've heard them say tax the rich. First of all, you can't tax the rich enough to pay for all the promises. And secondly, the rich are pretty good about hiring accountants and lawyers. Generally, when you hear that, be careful because he's aiming his tax increase at you. But we're not going to let him have it. We're going to win in November."

Bush makes a few more contrasts between he and Kerry on taxes. He does cite statistics showing economic growth to be at 20-year highs and unemployment to be slightly better than the averages over the past few decades, as Kerry said. The president explains why he doesn't believe "tax the rich" is realistic. Kerry, meanwhile, is still explaining to his audience that he's not, in fact, George Bush. And still no Kerry policy proposals.

Kerry"It is a choice between an administration that says it’s right to reward companies for shipping American jobs overseas – and a new leadership that will close those tax loopholes and provide incentives to create the good paying jobs of the future here in the United States of America.

"It is a choice between the first Administration since Herbert Hoover to preside over a net loss of jobs – or new leadership with a plan to create jobs that pay people more, not $9,000 less than they earned before. Jobs where after a week’s work, people can actually pay their bills, provide for their children, and lift up the quality of their lives."

Bush "Our Healthy Forest Restoration Act is good law for New Mexico. It's important law to help us preserve these national treasures. The Cibolo National Forest will benefit from this important legislation. We had a difference of opinion on this subject. My opponent said that the Healthy Forest Act was -- really means we're taking a chain saw to public forests. Then when he came out here to campaign, he turned his position around, he says he likes part of the law. I guess it's not only the wild fires that shift in the wind.

"I'm running again because I understand we have more to do to wage and win the war against terrorism. Our future, America's future depends on our willingness to lead in this world. If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This will not happen on my watch."

At last, half way into his speech, Kerry starts talking turkey. He'd close corporate tax loopholes. That, however, fits into Bush's warning about Democrats saying they'll tax the rich. Meanwhile, Bush has moved on to talk about the environment (one of his forest-protection proposals) and, at last, the war on terror.

Kerry "The choice in this election is between an administration that has turned the largest surpluses in American history into the largest deficits and new leadership with a real plan to cut the deficit in half in the next four years. We will do it by passing the reforms John McCain and I have fought for to end corporate welfare – and by making government live by the same rules our families have to follow: pay as you go."

Bush "The world changed on a terrible September morning, and since that day, we changed the world. Before September the 11th, Afghanistan served at the home base of al Qaeda, which trained and deployed thousands of killers to set up cells around the world, including America. Today, because we acted, Afghanistan is a rising democracy. Over ten million people in that country have registered to vote in the upcoming election. Because we acted, Afghanistan is an ally in the war on terror. Because we acted, many young girls go to school for the first time in Afghanistan. Because we acted, America and the world are safer.

"Before September the 11th, Libya was spending millions to acquire weapons of mass destruction. Today, because America and our allies have sent a strong and clear message, a message that's easy to understand, the leader of Libya abandoned his pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, and America and the world are safer.

"Before September the 11th, the ruler of Iraq was a sworn enemy of America. He was defying the world and firing weapons at American pilots who were enforcing the world's sanctions. He had used weapons of mass destruction. He harbored terrorists, he invaded his neighbors, he subsidized the families of suiciders. He had murdered tens of thousands of his own people. He was a source of great instability in a volatile part of the world. He was a threat. One of the lessons of September the 11th that we must never forget is that we must deal with threats before they fully materialize. "

How can Kerry compete with Bush on the 9/11-terror issue? Answer: He can't. Compare Kerry's brief, obligatory reference to 9/11 early in his speech with what Bush now says. You get the sense that Bush has lived all of this, while Kerry has watched it from afar. Oh, yes, and Kerry is talking about ending corporate welfare - a proposal by every Democratic candidate in every presidential election.

Kerry "And both fairness and fiscal responsibility depend on another fundamental choice -- between tax cuts for the few and tax cuts for the middle class. Should we continue a failed fiscal policy that says to middle class families: Tax cuts for Halliburton and Enron and those who make more than $200,000 a year are more important than tax cuts for you?

"As President, I will put the middle class first. John Edwards and I have a plan to cut taxes for the middle class and working families – to help them pay for health care, child care, and sending a son or daughter to college."

Bush"I went to the United States Congress. I said, this administration sees a threat. They looked at the intelligence I looked at, they remembered the history of Saddam Hussein, and they came to the same conclusion I did, including my opponent, who came to the same conclusion I did.

"Because I believe we ought to try diplomacy before we ever commit troops, I went to the United Nations. I said to the world, we see a threat. They looked at the same intelligence and concluded, with a 15-0 vote in the Security Council that Saddam Hussein must disclose, disarm or face serious consequences.

"And as he had for over a decade, Saddam Hussein refused to comply with the demands of the free world. As a matter of fact, we sent in inspectors, he systematically deceived the inspectors. So I had a choice to make: either trust the word of a madman and forget the lessons of September the 11th, or take action to defend our country. Given that choice, I will defend America. "

The two speeches have veered in different directions and tempos. Kerry is saying everything Bush said he would say about tax cuts for the rich. It's as if he's falling into a trap set by the president. Meanwhile, Bush has framed the Iraq War through the lense of 9/11. This looks like another trap, for when Kerry starts talking about that issue.

KerryWhen we talk about the economy, we talk about jobs. But there is another side to the economy where there is a fundamental choice – and that is health care. When health care is more expensive…when co-pays and deductibles go through the roof…businesses, especially small businesses, are burdened by staggering health care costs. And that makes it harder to hire workers, harder to grow and harder to expand.

"In the last four years, four million people have lost their health insurance. 44 million Americans are now without any health coverage at all. And middle class families are struggling to afford health costs that are going through the roof. Today, we have an administration that puts the interests of HMOs and big drug companies over the interests of patients and seniors and health care providers."

Bush"Even though we didn't find the stockpiles we expected to find, Saddam had the capability to make weapons of mass destruction and he could have passed that capability on to the terrorist enemy. That's a risk we could not have afforded to take after September the 11th. Knowing what we know today, I would have taken the same action in Iraq.

"America and the world are safer with Saddam Hussein sitting in a prison cell. Now, almost two years after he voted for the war in Iraq, and about seven months after switching positions to declare himself the anti-war candidate, my opponent has found another nuance. See, he now agrees it was the right decision to go into Iraq. After months of questioning my motives and even my credibility, he now agrees with me that even though we have not found the stockpiles we all thought he had, knowing everything we know today, he would have voted to go into Iraq and remove Saddam from power. And I want to thank him for clearing that up. There's still a little over 60 days in this campaign for him to change his mind again."

Kerry mentions small business in the context of health care, but he doesn't rattle off his list of accomplishments as the most recent ranking Democrat on the Small Business Subcommittee. Still, he does start giving an idea of where he stands: He wants to approach health care from the "cost" angle while Bush wants to approach it from the "free market choice" and judicial reform side. Take your pick.

But at this point, Bush launches into his vigorous defense of the Iraq war. To this point, Kerry hasn't mentioned Iraq - the single biggest issue on America's plate - once.

Kerry "In a Kerry-Edwards Administration, we will see to it that that America is no longer the only industrialized nation in the world that doesn’t understand that health care is not a privilege for the wealthy, the connected and the elected – it is a right for every single American.

"We have a plan to get the greed and waste out of the system – and save the average family up to $1,000 a year in their premiums. At the same time, we will make health care affordable and accessible for all. Under our plan, you will get to pick your own doctors – and doctors and patients, not insurance company bureaucrats, will make medical decisions. You will be able to buy less expensive medicines from countries like Canada. And instead of this Administration’s multi-billion dollar windfall for the big drug companies, we will pass a real prescription drug benefit for all seniors."

Bush "I'm running because I understand we have more to do. We will continue to work with our friends and allies around the world to aggressively pursue the terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere. See, you cannot talk sense into these people. You cannot try to negotiate with them.

"You cannot hope for the best.

"We must engage these enemies overseas so we do not have to face them here at home."

To Bush, the enemy is al Qaeda and the terror axis. To Kerry, the enemy is the pharmaceutical company. That's what we're left to deduce while listening to each of them. Again, take your pick.

Kerry "This election is also a choice between a country where men and women who work and save all their lives suddenly find their pensions disappearing into thin air and the executives who looted them bailing out on golden parachutes. Or leadership that says everybody in America – from the White House to the boardroom to Main Street – has a responsibility to play by the rules, obey the law and treat people with dignity.

"On almost every issue before us, we face the same fundamental choice – between the narrow interests of the few and the future of the vast majority of Americans. It is a choice between an anti-science policy that gives in to right-wing pressures – or new leadership that believes in science and the stem cell research that can treat and cure disease and save millions of lives. It is a choice between holding secret meetings with polluters in the White House to rewrite our environmental laws – or protecting the air our children breathe and the water they drink. "

Bush "America will continue to lead the world with confidence and moral clarity. See, we put together a strong coalition to help us. There's nearly 40 nations involved in Afghanistan, some 30 nations involved in Iraq. Over the next four years, we'll continue to build on our alliances and work with our friends. But I'll never turn over America's national security decisions to leaders of other countries.

"We'll keep our commitments to help the people of Afghanistan and Iraq. We'll do so because when America says something, it better mean what it says in order to make the world a more peaceful place. We'll do so because it's in our interest they become democracies and peaceful societies. These nations are now governed by two strong leaders who believe in the hopes and aspirations of the people that live in those countries.

"We set a clear goal. We're for peaceful, democratic countries who can self-govern and who are allies in the war against these terrorists. And so our military forces are there to provide security as they head to elections, and we're there to help train Afghan and Iraqi forces so they can defeat the terrorists who are trying to stop and prevent the hopes of many from emerging. Our military will complete this mission as quickly as possible so our troops do not stay a day longer than necessary."

Kerry continues to make his "if elected president, I'll stick it to the man," pitch while Bush moves through his policy for war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan. Again, Kerry offers no specifics except that it seems he'd be more permissive with funding stem-cell research. The "anti-science" line might stick, though, if he uses it enough.

Kerry "It is a choice between siding with big oil and making America independent of Mideast oil. When we only have 3 percent of the world’s oil reserves and we depend on foreign nations for 61 percent of what we consume, we can’t drill our way out of an energy crisis. We have to invent our way out of it.

"John Edwards and I have a plan to invest in new technologies, alternative fuels, and the vehicles of the future so we can achieve energy independence of Middle East oil in ten years. This is our choice: We want an America that relies on its own ingenuity and innovation, not the Saudi Royal family. "

Bush "Our nation's commitments are kept by the men and women of our military. At bases around the country, I have had the high privilege of meeting with those who defend our country and spread the peace. I've seen their great decency and their unselfish courage. I assure you, ladies and gentlemen, the cause of freedom is in really good hands.

"I appreciate the veterans who are here today who have set such a great example for those who wear the uniform. Our troops must have the resources they need to fight and win the war on terror. They must have the full support of our government.

"That's why last September, while our troops were in combat in Afghanistan and in Iraq, I proposed supplemental funding to support them in their missions. The legislation provided money for body armor and vital equipment, hazard pay, health benefits, ammunition, fuel and spare parts. It was an important piece of legislation, and it received great bipartisan support. As a matter of fact, the support was so strong that only 12 members of the United States Senate voted against it. Two of those 12 senators are my opponent and his running mate."

Bush slams Kerry and Edwards for voting against the $87 billion in funds for the troops. Meanwhile, with his speech more than half over, Kerry hasn't mentioned Iraq or Afghanistan once. And while Kerry likes to slam Bush's relationship with "Big Oil," he doesn't inform his audience that Kerry is Big Oil."

Kerry "I have spoken often in this campaign about national security – about rebuilding and leading strong alliances to find and get the terrorists before they get us. I defended this country as a young man and I will defend it as President. But I also know that we can’t be strong abroad unless we’re strong at home.

"And that depends not only on new policies – as important as they are – but on the most basic choice we will make this year about what kind of country we are. We have to decide between a leadership that seeks to divide us and a leadership that brings people together. It is a choice between a White House that only talks with those it agrees with…that sees us only as red states and blue states and a leadership that honors the rich diversity of all of our people and sees us as One America – red, white and blue."

Bush " When they asked him about that vote, he said, "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it." Doesn't sound like the way people in Albuquerque, New Mexico, talk to me, but -- They pressed him further and he said he was proud of his vote. And they kept pressing him, he said, well, it was a complicated matter. There's nothing complicated about supporting our troops in combat.

"In the long run, our security is not guaranteed by force alone. We must work to change the conditions that give rise to terror: poverty had hopelessness and resentment. See, a free and peaceful Iraq and a free and peaceful Afghanistan will be powerful examples -- they'll be powerful examples to their neighbors, they'll be powerful examples in the part of the world that's desperate for liberty and freedom. "

Hey, did you know Kerry served in Vietnam? Well, now you do. In fact, he refers to his service in the Navy before - still - he mentions Iraq. He'll bring it up later in the speech, but one has to wonder why he's not mentioning it sooner. Bush is on a roll with his remarks about replacing poverty and tyranny with democracy and freedom. It just seems like Bush sees the world with a broader horizon than Kerry does to this point - at least judging by their words.

Kerry "When Abraham Lincoln was here at Cooper Union in 1860 to decry the continued spread of slavery, he spoke in tones of strength and humility. He said then: “Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.”

"My duty, as I understand it, is to be a President who stands with middle class families in their hopes and their struggles…a President who has a plan to strengthen our economy…a President who knows a stronger America begins at home. "

Bush "Free countries do not export terror. Free countries do not stifle the dreams of their citizens. By serving the ideal of liberty, we're bringing hope to others, and that makes America more secure. By serving the ideal of liberty, we're spreading the peace that we all want. And by serving the ideal of liberty, we're serving the deepest ideals of our nation. We understand freedom is not America's gift to the world, freedom is the Almighty God's gift to each man and woman in this world.

"Now, we've got more to do to protect our country. There's an enemy out there that still hates us. We have a difference of opinion on this. The other day, he said that going to war with the terrorists is actually improving their recruiting efforts. I think the logic is upside-down. I think it shows a misunderstanding of the enemy we face. See, during the 1990's, the terrorists were recruiting and they were training for war with us long before we went to war with them. They don't need an excuse for their hatred. Staying on the offense is necessary to protect this country. See, you don't create terrorists by fighting back; you defeat the terrorists by fighting back. "

Kerry still hasn't spelled out his plan for strengthening the economy, besides tax hikes for the rich and tax cuts for the middle class. Free trade? Regulation? Energy policy? Jobs initiatves? Not a word of specifics. He's talking in platitudes. Bush is talking in platitudes, too, when he talks about "the Almighty God's gift." But, somehow, Kerry's platitudes focus on the negative. Bush's focus on the positive. Oh, and by the way: "right makes might?" If Bush had suspended Habeas Corpus after 9/11, would Kerry be praising him?

Kerry "My duty, as I understand it, is to be a President and commander-in-chief who finds the truth and tells the truth instead of misleading the American people, hiding behind front groups, saying anything and doing anything to avoid the real issues that matter like jobs, health care and the war in Iraq.

"My duty, as I understand it, is to fight for opportunity for all, and special privileges for none – so that every child, every parent, and every worker in America has an equal shot at living up to their God-given potential. A president who puts the middle class first puts their values first: hard work, respect for the truth and a commitment to what is right for Americans."

Bush "There's a lot of good people working on your behalf's, a lot of good people at the federal level and the state level and the local level responding to threats. We've got work to do and we'll continue to do it to make sure that we get the best intelligence possible so we can react to the threats. We need the Patriot Act renewed. Listen, the Patriot Act is a vital tool for those who are working to disrupt the terrorist networks.

"We created the Department of Homeland Security. We're continuing to work to better safeguard our borders and our ports. We're working better between levels of government, but I got to tell you, reform isn't easy, particularly in Washington, D.C. There's a lot of entrenched interest there. There's a lot of people who are willing to hold on to the status quo. It's not enough to advocate reform, you've got to be able to get the job done.

"So when you're out there campaigning, I want you to remind people that when it comes to reforming our schools to provide an excellent education for every child, we're getting the job done. When it comes to health care reforms for our seniors and for our families, we're getting the job done. When it comes to improving our economy and creating jobs, we're getting the job done. When it comes to better securing our homeland and fighting the forces of terror and spreading freedom and peace, we're getting the job done. And remind your friends and neighbors, when it comes time to choose a President, put somebody back in there who can get the job done.

OK, let's deal with this right away: is "behalf's" even a word? It doesn't sound right. But after he stumbles over that word, he lists some more of his initiatives: the Patriot Act, Department of Homeland Security and, er, education reform. Syntax aside, it's not a bad list of accomplishments that he can mention off the top of his head. To the same point in his speech, Kerry hasn't listed a single, solitary accomplishment he's made in his 30-years-plus of government service. Not one. This could come back to haunt him during the debates.

Kerry "That is the kind of President I intend to be. And that is what I have fought for all my public life. As a prosecutor, I fought for victim’s rights. As a Senator, I was a leader in the fight to put 100,000 new police on our streets. I broke with many in my own party to support a balanced budget. I stood with John McCain to find out the truth about what happened to our POWs and MIAs in Vietnam.

"And I’ve always stood up for our veterans who stood on the frontlines for us. I am proud that I wrote the legislation that finally provided help and health care to the victims of Agent Orange.

"I am also proud of the role I played in the landmark law that provides health care to the children of working families."

Bush "We're living in a time of change, and I understand change can be unsettling. It's an exciting time, but it's a time that government needs to change its ways of thinking. Government needs to not be giving dictates to people, government needs to be helping people. One way to do so is to understand that a lot of moms are working these days, and therefore, people need flex-time and comp-time so they can adjust their work schedules to meet the demands of family. One way to help people with changing times is to encourage an ownership society. That's why we want people owning their own health care accounts, so they can manage their own accounts and take them from job to job if they need to. "

Can we impose a one-mention rule on John McCain for all speeches, from now on, forever? Kerry makes his second reference to McCain in this single speech as if he needs a Republican to validate any efforts he's made. However, at least he's now talking about accomplishments. Kerry mentions his 1980s-era Agent Orange legislation and a health bill that several dozen other senators co-sponsored in addition to Kerry. It's a start.

Kerry "So, if people want to know the real choice in this election, just look at the record. For more than 20 years, I’ve fought for the middle class and those struggling to join it. But time after time, President Bush has sided with the narrow interests of the few.

"Next week at Madison Square Garden, the Republican convention will focus on slogans, excuses, and attack politics. And mark my words, they’ll bend over backwards with last minute proposals and last minute promises to make up for all they haven’t done and to pretend they’re not who they are. In fact, pretending to be something they’re not may be the single most consistent thing about them, because that’s what they’ve been doing all along. "

Bush "These are changing times and they're exciting times. I see a lot of younger folks out here today. I thank you for coming, but -- -- when it comes time to think about Social Security, baby boomers like me are in good shape. But some younger workers are going to have a problem because there's a lot of baby boomers, and the Social Security system needs to be made fiscally sound for you. I believe the best way to do so is to let younger workers take some of their own money in personal savings accounts so they can carry it from one generation to the next.

"We want more people owning their own business in America. You know, there's some fantastic success stories right here in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where people had a dream and they built their own companies that they can call their own. In changing times, if you own your own home, it can help provide stability. The home ownership rate is at an all-time high in America.

"We'll continue to pursue policies to encourage people to own their own home. There's nothing better than somebody opening that front door and saying, welcome to my house. Thank you for coming to my home. We understand in America that if you own something, you have a vital stake in the future of our country. "

Bush discusses "success stories." Has Kerry mentioned a single, solitary , good thing that's happened in America after 1860? Has he mentioned a single, solitary good thing America has done? It's important to ask, because the answer may give some sense as to how the candidates view America's potential as a positive force.

Kerry "But the American people want truthful answers and real plans. They want leadership that will really put the middle class first. And that’s why this is the most important election of our lifetime.

"America must do better and we will.

"My fellow citizens, we’re the optimists. We’re the can do people. For us, this is a country of the future. And we believe that for America to be truly America, it must be a country of opportunity for all Americans.

"So, it’s time for an honest debate about the choices we face. It’s time to reach for the next dream and look to the next horizon. For America, the hope is there. The sun is rising. Our best days are still to come.

"Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America."

Bush "In changing times, there are some things that won't change: our belief in liberty, our belief in opportunity, and our belief in the non-negotiable demands of human dignity. The individual values we try to live by shouldn't change: courage and compassion, reverence and integrity. We will continue to support the institutions that give us direction and purpose -- our families, our schools, and our religious congregations.

"We stand for institutions like marriage and family, which are the foundations of our society. We stand for a culture of life in which every person matters and every person counts. We stand for judges who faithfully interpret the law, instead of legislating from the bench. We stand for a culture of responsibility in this country. Listen, the culture is changing from one that has said, if it feels good, just go ahead and do it, and if you've got a problem, blame somebody else, to a culture in which each of us understands we're responsible for the decisions we make in life.

"If you're fortunate enough to be a mom or a dad, you're responsible for loving your child with all your heart and all your soul. If you're worried about the quality of the education in the community in which you live, you're responsible for doing something about it. If you're a CEO in corporate America, you are responsible for telling the truth to your shareholders and your employees. And in a responsibility society, each of us is responsible for loving our neighbor, just like we'd like to be loved ourselves. "

As Kerry's speech ends, it's noteworthy that he makes only passing references to the two, seminal events of the past four years: 9/11 and the Iraq war. Bush's speech still has another couple of paragraphs. At this point, he's talking about something else Kerry didn't mention: personal responsibility.

Bush " I'm running for four more years to continue to rally the armies of compassion, which exist all across our country. Listen, the great strength of America is the hearts and souls of the American citizens. People are volunteering all over our country to help improve somebody's life. I met with Bernice Young. She volunteered more than 11,000 hours at the Children's Hospital of New Mexico. She's taking time out of her life to help make somebody else's life better. See, I believe societies will change. I believe our country will change, one heart, one soul, one conscience at a time, if we rally the great army of compassion, which is willing to love a neighbor.

"For all Americans, these years in our history will always stand apart. There are quiet times in the life of a nation when little is expected of its leaders. This isn't one of those times. This is a time where we need firm resolve, clear vision, and strong belief in the values that make us a great nation."

There's a phrase Bush used that Kerry didn't: "great nation." It's looking more and more like, during the debates and the fall campaign, Kerry will have a very difficult time painting Bush with the "negative campaigning" brush - Swift Boat vets or not

Bush "None of us will ever forget that week when one era ended and another began. Rudy and I were in the ruins of the Twin Towers on September the 14th, 2001. It's a day I will never forget. It is a day Rudy will never forget. I remember the workers in hard-hats yelling at me, "Whatever it takes, President, whatever it takes!" I remember shaking the hand of a man who had just gotten out of the rubble. He had bloodshot eyes. He said, "Do not let me down." It was a -- I wake up every morning thinking about how to better protect this country. I will never relent in defending America, whatever it takes.

"We have come through much together, and we've done a lot of hard work, but there's more to be done. During the next four years, we will spread ownership and opportunity to every corner of this country. We will pass the enduring values of our country to another generation. We will continue to lead the cause of freedom and peace, and we will prevail.

"With your support and prayers, I will be a leader America can count on in a time of change. Four years ago, I traveled this great country and your wonderful state asking for the vote. I said if you honored me with this great responsibility, I would uphold the dignity and the honor of the office to which I had been elected. With your help, I will do so for the next four years. God bless. Thank you for coming. Thank you all. "

There you have it. The title of Kerry's speech is "The Fundamental Choice." after reading his words against Bush's, side by side, you have to agree it's a pretty good way of looking at it.