THE much-publicised presidential debates and the campaign platforms of President George W. Bush and challenger Senator John Kerry leading to the Nov 2, 2004 American elections offer a remarkable insight into different and contrasting styles of leadership.
Bush was portrayed as a decisive commander in chief who is prepared to act unilaterally to protect the security interests of the US while Kerry was seen as a leader who is prepared to consult and seek consensus, and with a bias for multilateralism.