The international press believes that US Senator John Kerry has established himself as a serious contender in the presidential race, following what many see as his narrow victory in the last of three debates with incumbent George W Bush.
But commentators are less certain that Mr Kerry will triumph in the race itself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is always a magic moment, in the story of the US presidential campaign, when Pinocchio becomes a real child and breaks free from the electoral shell. The three face-to-face debates... freed a man depicted as a puppet by the propaganda. Kerry won the battle he had to win, which was not to defeat Bush but to come across as a potential president.
Italy's La Repubblica
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the whole, the US public seem to agree that Kerry won the last debate.
Indonesia's Jawa Pos
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerry's performance was better than that of Bush.
Beijing's Renmin Wang
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Democrat candidate was able to convince many Americans that the current incumbent lied about the war and failed to plan for the post-war period.
France's Le Monde
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerry's statements were brief and sharp, and he put forward simple proposals using clear language. He also managed to shake off the image of the vague, opportunistic, professional politician that the Republican propaganda machine lumbered him with.
Italy's Il Corriere della Sera
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was by far George W Bush's best debate after the poor showing in Miami and the average performance in St Louis...
imposed himself as the more credible candidate.
Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerry certainly benefited more from the debates than Bush.
Switzerland's Tribune De Geneve
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerry did not destroy Bush or knock him out, which could have decided the outcome of the presidential election on 2 November. But his performance was quite convincing and fully achieved the desired effect.
Commentary by Oleg Komotskiy in Russia's Novyye Izvestiya
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The polls indicate that Kerry won it, but it remains to be seen whether this advantage is translated into votes on 2 November... If the rest of the world was voting it would clearly vote for Kerry.
Spain's El Pais
more at link-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3747040.stm