the spirited debate they had last night on terrorism in iraq, but this time they were not on a common stage and kerry had the kind of confidence that comes with polls and pundits agreeing that he won last night's showdown. >> did you watch that debate last night? >> this was john kerry today. bolder, declaring victory, relieving worried democrats. >> yesterday he showed me he's ready to leave this country. >> reporter: in pennsylvania today, the president tried to overcome doubts about his debate performance by swinging hard at his opponent. in a new line of attack, he failed to use last night but may wish he had, mr. bush accused senator kerry of more confusini contradictions on iraq after first voting to authorize the war. some bush supporters at today's rally expected more from the president last night. >> i think he could have been better in another type of format other than the debate. >> reporter: and the white house advisers were spinning a bush