Wed. Debate: Domestic Issues

I appreciate all of the hard work kossacks are doing with regard to Sinclair.  I also think we should be focusing on debate 3 tomorrow night.  There is hardly a mention of it around here.  So let's take a look at tomorrow's topic: Domestic Issues.    I personally believe that Kerry will go for the close tomorrow night.  It is his last chance to go before the american public unfiltered before election day.  Knowing that Rove and others MAY (I stress may) have an "October Surprise" planned, he will want to break out enough to create a buffer, should such an event occur.   In an effort to come across clear and concise, Kerry is  getting help from Barney Frank.

     Here are two areas that may be vulnerable for Kerry tomorrow night (after the jump):  

     First, the abortion issue.  Regardless of your beliefs, the major advantage that Bush has here is that his stance is firm and unwavering.  He is pro-life period.  Since he is more concerned with turning out the evangelical vote he can strongly assert this postion.  Kerry on the hand, has to explain why he didn't support a ban on partial birth abortion and why he didn't support parental notificaton.  I thought he answered well last time (when the girl asked him about tax dollars funding abortions), but this could be a potential point of exploitation tomorrow night.   The fact that Kerry is Catholic and does not believe in abortion, yet does not believe the goverment should take away that right is a complex stance for many people.  Bush will try and paint him as a liberal on this and Kerry needs to counter effectively.

     The second area of vulnerability: Kerry's stance on the death penalty.  It is Kerry's belief that the death penalty should not be used except in cases of terrorism.  Again, we should expect something along the lines of a "Kitty Dukakis question".  Once again, Bush will make the arguement that Kerry is too liberal and too nuianced.    
     Let's come up with strong replies Kerry can make to these and any other issues that you think might come up in the debate tomorrow night.