Dubya vs. Al: Debate I
Bush pulls a Russert, loses debate
by the Editors

Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000 -- NEW YORK/BOSTON (AmpolNS) -- Bush entered the athletic hall of UMass Boston smirking -- that's right, with that weasely look he cannot suppress.

Jim Lehrer's first question went to Gore: why did he question Bush's qualifications to run the country?  Gore said he did not question his qualifications but his policies.  Can America enrich and bring prosperity to everyone? He made clear his flagship issues, emphasizing prescription drug coverage for the elderly, Social Security in a lockbox, and mentioning his others.  He emphasized that strong families were a priority, calling for safe schools and an end to "cultural pollution" (in essence stealing a key GOP issue).

Bush rebutted by saying he was a chief executive but failed to say he was a weak one -- only the fifth most powerful man in Texas government.  He said that Gore would increase the size of government drastically -- "tonight you're gonna hear that my passion and my vision is to empower Americans."

Gore re-rebutted by shredding the Bush tax giveback plan, saying that it actually hurts funding for health issues and -- surprise -- defense.  Gore emphasized that he seeks middle class tax cuts.  Gore also launched a new front, announcing and explaining at length that it is now time for a new stage of welfare reform.  Bush said that "tonight we'll hear phony numbers" -- trying early on to cast Gore as a liar.  Bush said that he wanted to return 5% of the trillions in surpluses to taxpayers -- right, but how much would go to the rich?  Bush pushed his spin point against "government making decisions for people."  When Lehrer asked if he believed that Gore was commenting on his policies, not his leadership skills, he said yes -- in other words, Gore is not a liar!  Then Gore rebutted Bush's phony number accusation, saying that most tax breaks would go to the rich.

Lehrer said that some claim Bush has not demonstrated the leadership qualities needed to be president.  Bush said that Clinton and Gore have campaigned three times on getting prescription benefits to seniors, that they had  a chance to form consensus.  Bush talked about his "immediate care" plan, and gave a lot of vague proposals on what sounded to us like even more programs than Gore has mentioned in his entire campaign.  Bush talked "reform" of Social security -- in other words, privatization.

Gore rebutted -- all seniors will get drug coverage under Medicare with his plan -- then essentially said that Bush had lied when he described Gore's plan as a "government HMO" -- it isn't.  The contrast -- 95% of all seniors get no help for the first four years under Bush (a point that would be disputed by Bush's people after the debate, but that turns out to be essentially true), while the rich get a tax break the first year.

"The man's trying to run on Mediscare," said Bush in a somewhat clumsy manner-- but after Gore's argument, this media-friendly sound bite sounded lame.  Bush talked about a big federal bureaucracy -- then claimed Gore had been in Washington for eight years and had accomplished nothing.

Gore responded by saying that under his plan, Medicare goes in an ironclad lockbox.  Bush has declined to support the idea -- unlike some congressional GOPers, said Gore.  "Some people who say the word 'reform' actually mean cuts."  Gore also talked about enormous increases in premiums under the Bush plan.  Gore pointed out a man in the audience who goes to Canada for his prescription drugs.

Bush said "I cannot let this go by, the old Washington politics."  He sounded and looked FLUSTERED for the first time in the debate. as if he just did not want to be there -- then said "I think this man didn't just invent the Internet, he invented the calculator," a cheap shot intended to cast Gore as a liar again -- but Gore never said he invented the Internet, and the two ARPA engineering wizards who coordinated the logistics of the early Internet, Robert Kahn and Vinton Cerf, credit Al Gore for making the public Internet possible.  Bush then claimed that Gore was using "fuzzy math" -- a term he would repeat but never support with his own numbers.  He then started talking tax cuts.  Gore replied -- if you make over $25,000/year you get nothing under the Bush plan.  When Gore said he has a plan that brings drugs to 100% of seniors while Bush covers 5%, Bush stumbled over whether he would increase his coverage in the first year, hemming and hawing.

Gore had hit hard.  Bush was reeling.

The next question focused on fuel shortages.  Gore wants to focus on supply -- the dominance of manipulative oil companies and OPEC -- while nurturing renewable sources with tax incentives for less-polluting transportation and factories.  Gore pointed out that this is also a trade issue -- then fired away at Bush for wanting to drill in Alaska, pointing out that it would take years for oil to come to market.

Bush rebutted by saying that the Clinton Administration had no energy policy -- AN OUTRIGHT LIE -- and then said that Alaska's million barrels a day would replace what we're getting from Saddam Hussein.  He pushed exploration for crude oil.

Lehrer asked if it were fair to say that Gore wants to do something about consumption, and Bush on supply.  Gore said he did address supply (was Lehrer awake?), then said he agreed on helping the poor in the Northeast.  Gore then said that Congress had hobbled Clinton energy plans.  Bush said "you shoulda been tackling it for the last eight years," dwelling on Alaska drilling for his oil company pals.  Bush then started talking about one of the most polluting energy sources: coal.  He talked about supply, more supply, and "hemispheric energy policy" and his talk with his "new friend Vincente Fox."  Gore said he supports clean coal technology AND domestic exploration -- but not trashing Alaska.

Lehrer asked Bush of he'd overturn the use of RU-486.  Bush became evasive and said he didn't think the president could do that (hasn't he heard of the bully pulpit?), then went into the pro-life drivel -- false claims that it will drive up abortions morphed into so-called "partial birth abortions" as he waxed eloquent about euthanasia and abortion.  Good grief...it was boilerplate doctrine that sounded scripted by Pat Robertson

Gore said the decision to approve RU-486 took 12 years -- and he supports the decision.  Gore then said he would sign a bill banning late-term abortions unless the woman's health was in danger -- then said that Bush promised before anti-choice groups that he would appoint more Scalias and Thomases to the Supreme Court (in other words, zealots who would overturn Roe v. Wade).  Lehrer asked if Bush would make appointments that would overturn RU-486 -- and Bush AGAIN evaded the question.  Gore said that he had heard Bush say that he WOULD appoint an HHS boss that would "review" the decision.

Will Bush appoint anti-choice judges?  Bush said that "voters should assume" that he will not have a litmus test, and that he will appoint "strict constructionists."  Right, and we should assume he served hionorably in the Guard -- even though he went AWOL for a year.  Hoo-boy --  Bush made vague platitudes about appointing "good solid men and women." Gore said that he and Bush were using the same language to express opposite views -- and that he believes in privacy guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment.  He accurately called "strict constructionist" a code word for anti-choice judges.  Gore then said it outright -- he wants Rowe V. Wade upheld -- and that reproductive rights are taken for granted.  Bush said that Gore will appoint "liberal activist judges" -- code words for judges who are not hard-right judicial activists.

Talk turned to Yugoslavia and the Milosevic non-election.  Gore praised Serbians for throwing out Milosevic -- and standing up to his call for a so-called "runoff."  Gore slammed Milosevic as a war criminal, and called for measured steps to deal with the present situation, as Serbs are still angry at the US; nevertheless, America should support the will of the Serbian people.  Bush said that he to is pleased with the election results -- and that our alliances should remain strong.  Bush then said that the president of Russia should "step into the vacuum" (WHAT vacuum?) to "use their sway" and help push Milosevic out.  Gore said he opposed using American forces to oust Milosevic if the situation worsens -- and has questions about allowing Putin to mediate, thereby putting Bush's idea into question.  He said that Bush's instinct is "not necessarily bad" (in other words, not rigorously thought out), but we have to be cautious.  Bush then CONTRADICTED himself saying that getting Russia to help might be "conditional."

Bush gave a rambling answer on when he would consider use of force, emphasizing clarity of mission, whether there was adequate morale in the military and whether there was an exit strategy.  Bush claimed WRONGLY that our troops have been used for "nation building" -- and called for a "rebuilding" of our military which, he claimed, was not well-equipped.  He talked about a billion-dollar raise for the military and signing bonuses -- a nudge-and-a-wink payoff to our men in uniform.

Gore slammed Bush by saying that we already have the finest and best-equipped in the world -- and that he's set aside twice the budget increase that Bush has to pay for the military, and will do everything that he can to to keep our military the best. He made a reference to Desert Storm and said that our military should step in to stop genocide.  Bush cited a poll that said that half those polled will leave when their military "time" was up, invoking the names of Powell (who won't work for Bush) and Schwarzkopf. He talked about "rebuilding" the military again.

Who is better suited to make military and foreign policy calls?  Gore said to look at the issues they stand for -- then recounted his volunteering for military service.  In Congress, he served on the Armed Services Committee.  And as part of the NSC, he saw the worst genocide since World War II.  America has to make sound judgments -- and stay at the cutting edge technologically.  Bush said more scripted stuff, something about "responsibility in office" and "too many focus groups."  He said he had been able to work with members of both parties in Texas (but don't forget, he's the FIFTH most powerful man in Texas state government).  Gore said that he had worked with Reagan to modernize military technology, and that he'd supported Bush Daddy on the Gulf War.

Could Bush top that?  His response: "Why haven't they done that in seven years?"  He looked lost in the headlights. 

Talk turned to the budget and surplus.  Gore went into his clearly pre-scripted but strong litany of positions -- then hammered Bush for his tax cut for the wealthy.  Bush did his "fuzzy math" again -- then said that Gore wanted to add 200 programs (so?  that's less than Reagan added) and then talked about the threat of IRS agents making sure you get tax relief (we were laughing out loud at that doozy).

Gore, by the way, had a bad habit of sighing quite audibly whenever Bush lied.  When Gore rebutted Bush's "fuzzy math" claim, he said you never hear Bush's numbers to rebut Gore (in other words, Bush doesn't know how to do the math).  Bush then gave some vague examples in rebuttal, using numbers that are a LIE because he was not clear about the conditions.  Gore then laughed at what he called Bush's "name calling... he spends more on his tax cut for the highest 1%" of moneymakers than on his other programs.  "Every middle class family is eligible for a tax cut under my plan."  Gore then rolled out something Bush doesn't have -- a tax deduction for college, and shifted the issue to education.  Bush said Gore's tax plan excludes 50 million Americans -- Gore interjected "Not true" (sounding like the SNL character "Subliminal Man").  Bush said AGAIN that "this man has been disparaging my tax plan with fuzzy math."

Right, Bush -- YOUR OWN fuzzy math.

Education!  Lehrer asked Bush about the 6% of federal money that pays for public schools -- can you actually use that money to fix education?  Bush INDIRECTLY threatened to take away money from "failing" schools -- failing usually because they are underfunded in the first place.  Bush then talked about a successful charter school -- one of the FEW in Texas that's not a scam or a disaster.  Bush said that he wants to consolidate federal programs to free schools, but didn't say how or why this would work.  He talked about a bonus plan, then said that that 6% of money is subsidizing failure.

But why the failure, Bush?  Cheap-ass conservatism, maybe?

Gore said he supports both mandatory and voluntary testing and a requirement that all new teachers be tested in their field(s) of expertise.  He supports universal preschool, and again said that college tuition should be tax-deductible.  Gore also cited crowded classrooms.  Bush said there's "no accountability" in the Gore plan -- where's the testing?  Bush said that testing is the cornerstone of reform.

Gore rebutted Bush's assertion that Gore does not require testing -- in fact, the idea of teacher testing goes further than Bush does.  Gore then slammed taking money from public schools to pay for private schools, i.e. vouchers.  Gore said that modernizing schools should be the number one educational priority in America.  He wants to close and then fix failing schools using the "turnaround team" technique Gov. Jim Hunt uses.

Lehrer asked Gore to point to an action he took to demonstrate how he handles crisis under fire.  Gore mentioned Kosovo -- America had not lost one man in combat, but Gore asked the former Russian President to negotiate with Milosevic.  Gore then said he's ready to stand up to big pharma, big oil, and HMOs who have too much power.

Bush said he's been standing up to Big Hollywood, trial lawyers, then said "What's the question, something about emergencies?"  That was the gaffe of the night!  Bush, for a moment, lookred like he couldn't remember what planet he was on!  He then talked about wildfires in Texas and praised FEMA head James Lee Witt.  Governors, he said, often deal with crises.

Lehrer then talked about hypothetical economic crises -- what should government do if there's a stock market dip?  Bush said he'd talk to a lot of people and come up with a "game plan."  But he gave NO specific answer -- our guess is that it's "buy low, sell high" -- or maybe get high!  Gore first complimented Bush's hard work on the fires -- and praised FEMA as a  product of reinventing government a la Clinton-Gore.  Gore recounted working with government economists on the peso crisis and the current weak Euro  -- and that we need to do more and better.  Bush sort of rebutted by saying that the economy is responsible for Clinton-Gore than the contrary.  Gore said that he agrees that Americans deserve the credit -- but they worked hard eight years ago, too.  Policies are important -- and do affect the economy.  Gore talked about declining unemployment and increases in new jobs -- but there are people getting left behind.  Gore does not want privatization -- he wants savings incentives on top of a secure Social Security system.  Bush said that Clinton did not deliver a middle-class tax cut -- a LIE.

Gore also slammed Bush for quoting not a congressional budget document but a Jim Nicholson RNC blast fax!  We were rolling on the floor -- we get them too, and they are practically from a parallel reality.  Gore hammered both tax givebacks to the rich and Social Security privatization.  This seemed to piss off Bush, who nearly screamed something about "fuzzy math" and his billions in savings.

Lehrer then asked about assessments that social security will not be sustainable.  Gore disagreed -- if we continue to pay down the debt and put Social Security in a lockbox.  He is concerned about seniors living hand-to-mouth -- and opposes benefit cuts.  He again got on Bush for draining trillions of dollars from Social Security by privatizing -- and then pointed out that a Bush advisor called it a good thing because Social security could start borrowing money.  Bush said that Gore talked about the Bush plan because Gore's plan loads up the system with IOUs.  Gore smiled and shook his head at Bush as he rambled on about "passing something on," then said that Greenspan was wrong when he said that social security should not be put into more risky investments.  It was at this point that Gore called Bush plan "Social Security minus" -- then confronted Bush on where his money comes from.  Bush said that Gore's plan is "Social Security plus debt."  Gore wanted to continue on the issue -- and they did.  Gore said that Social Security should remain in safe investments.  Bush said the return was 2% per year.

Gee, that's a lot better than the return your investors got.

Lehrer then snuck in a gratuitous "character" question -- an invitation for Bush to go negative.  Bush did -- saying he was disappointed that Gore said "no controlling legal authority", the Lincoln Bedroom and the Buddhist Temple event, which Bush called a fundraiser.

That's right: Bush pulled a Russert -- beating on Gore's character, even lying about the Buddhist temple event being a fundraiser.

Gore did not attack Bush over cocaine, knocking up the Mexican help, going AWOL from Guard duty, drinking, documented abusive behavior or his generally unsavory reputation -- instead, he said that Bush may be focused on scandals, but he is focused on the future.  Bush said that people should factor in the "fundraising scandals" when they go into the polling booth.  Gore replied: "See me for who I am." He then slammed the entire campaign finance system, and said he would send McCain-Feingold to Congress first thing.  He asked if Bush would endorse it.  Bush said Gore had no credibility -- and accused Gore of saying he cosponsored McCain-Feingold when he was not in Congress.  Lehrer asked Bush if he'd support a ban on soft money, and Bush used weasel words to make you think he said yes -- but he really said no!

Gore than nailed Bush a second time -- saying that Bush could attack his character, but he will not respond in kind.  We suspect that in coming weeks, Gore will not need to respond in kind.

Gore wants full federal financing of congressional elections.  Bush vehemently disagreed.

Both closing statements were boilerplate big issue statements, but Bush stammered a lot toward the end.  Gore used the example of a senior in the audience who picks cans to make ends meet.

As a whole, there was a huge of wonkspeak and laying out of flagship policy positions.  Some pundits said that Bush had a strong grasp on issues, and Bob Schieffer on CBS said that Bush seemed to have won -- but Gore scored a solid punch at the end when he would not play the character assassination game.  The pundits at CNN seemed to call it a draw, saying both candidates scored points. 

A winner?  Well, Gore did not beat up Bush. Bush and Gore both stayed on message.  Bush looked a bit lost in the headlights.  Gore smiled at the right times, and made his views more coherently clear.  

But most importantly, Bush lost points for attacking Gore; Gore gained points for ending on a high road attack.

Bush left America with a bad taste in its mouth -- and lost the debate.