Is President Bush a competent, moderate leader who has plans for eventually removing U.S. forces from Iraq and jump-starting the economy?

Would Sen. John Kerry be a solid centrist who could connect with Americans and be tough in the war on terrorism?

These are the images Bush and his Democratic challenger must project if they hope to be successful in the upcoming televised debates, says Neil Berch, an associate professor of political science at West Virginia University.

The first debate will be at 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, at the University of Miami.

The debates are the last chance for the candidates to address their perceived weaknesses before the largest audience of potential voters,said Berch, who is also adviser for WVU s nationally ranked Debate Team.

For Bush, that means overcoming questions about his competency, far right leanings, and handling of Iraq and the economy, he said.

Kerry, on the other hand, must convince voters he is not an extreme liberal, indecisive and aloof, Berch added.

The debates give Kerry one more chance to put voters at ease,he said.If he fails, Bush will likely come out better in the debates and win the election. If Kerry can make people feel comfortable, hes likely to be the next president.

Berch, one of the nations few political scientists to serve also as a debate coach, is available to comment on the debates, both before and after them. He can be reached at 304-293-3811 ext. 5290 (office), 412-341-8033 (home), 412-445-3957 (cell) or BERCHNORTO @aol.com .