Al vs. Dubya II
by The Editors

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2000 -- NEW YORK (AmpolNS) -- Jim Lehrer welcomed Al Gore and George W. Bush to their second debate.

Lehrer first asked Bush if he had formulated how he would exercise his power.  Bush gave lot of platitudes and vagaries -- peace in the Middle East, stability in Europe, dedicated citizens called to serve the country -- but Bush had some trouble early on keeping his sentences coherent when he veered off per-rehearsed sound bites.  Gore said he's focused on this question also, but rephrased the question -- what  are our values?  America is looked at for leadership from the rest of the world, they look to us for a blueprint for freedom.  "The power of example is America's greatest power."  Gore touched on ethnic strife around the world -- and pointed out that racial profiling must stop in the US.

Should the world look at the US and fear us, or welcome us?  How would Bush express his power?  Bush said we'd be welcomed if we were "humble but strong...project strength in a way that spreads freedom."  Gore agreed -- and added that our power presents the problem of resentment on the part of other nations, but that there must also be a sense of mission: protect our values, keep the economy strong.  Foreign leaders used to complain about American deficits, but now our strong economy puts us in a better position to wield influence.

Does our wealth bring with it responsibility?  Bush said yes -- and under certain conditions third world debt should be forgiven -- or trade it for "valuable rainforest lands" (what, to drill oil on?).  Bush ALMOST sounded like Gore.

How do we resolve the current Middle East crisis?  Gore said that the violence must be stopped, Syria must release Israeli soldiers, and Arafat should calm his people.  Gore also pointed out that Saddam may be up to his shenanigans.  Diplomacy has in the last 24 hours caused the violence to subside.  Gore said that Israel should feel secure that their bonds with us are enduring.  Bush said that he appreciates the way the administration has calmed tensions -- then said credibility is important, and we should reach out to Muslim nations (he named a bunch of oil countries).  He said that the anti-Saddam coalition was crumbling, and he feels it's important to build and share an anti-ballistic missile system.  We heard repetition of "credible ties" in his answer.

Shouldn't we remain neutral?  Gore said that we can act as an honest broker, and unless there is a dialogue through the U.S., "we wil have thrown away a strategic asset."  Bush said that all parties should agree to a timetable that parties in the Middle East can agree to -- as if Clinton isn't trying for that!  Gore said he hears little difference between himself and Bush, and Bush said he wants to take out Saddam and wants to rebuild the coalition -- and that its dissolution is a Clinton failure!  Gore said he supported Daddy Bush in the Gulf War, but pointed out that Saddam was not removed -- that is the situation that Clinton was stuck with.  Gore wants to give "robust support" to groups seeking to overthrow Saddam -- some say they're too weak, said Gore, but that's what some said about anti-Milosevic groups in Serbia.  It's premature to give up on anti-Iraq sanctions, and they're trying to break out of the box but they can't.

On the issue of Milosevic, Lehrer asked if the fall of Milosevic should be seen as a victory for intervention.  Bush said he called on Congress not to hamstring the Administration -- he admitted that the Clinton plan worked!  He said there's much, however, to be done.  Bush praised NATO and said there was still much to do.  Bush also said that Europeans become the peacekeepers.  Hey, Dubya, what about setting the example?  Gore said he was a hardliner on action against Slobodan.  Now he is trying to reassert himself -- his Serb party is questioning Kostunica's authority.  Gore then challenged Bush on when it is appropriate to use American military force and that Gore sees Bush as not seeing genocide sufficient for America to intervene with troops -- to Gore, that brings into play American strategic interest and our values.  Bush said he did not understand, stopped, and then said he was against an unchecked Milosevic -- and that it depends on the situation.

Lehrer said there were eight major American interventions.  Which would not have happened?  Gore said Lebanon was a mistake, Grenada, Panama, the Gulf War he's support, Somalia was ill-advised and we have learned our lessons.  Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo were a yes.  Bush said Somalia changed from intervention to "nation building" -- a GOP buzzword for "we don't care."  Bush would not have supported Haiti, but would have supported Panama and the others.  Was it a mistake not to intervene in Rwanda? Bush said that Clinton was right not to intervene -- Africa should have intervened.  Gore said that we did send troops to Rwanda to back humanitarian aid -- but we could have stopped genocide by intervening.  One criterion is our national security interest -- in the Balkans, we had NATO ready to carry the burden.  We had no such allies in the case of Rwanda.  Bush said that the Middle East was "a priority" -- but we can't be all things to all people and he is worried about over-commiting.

Hmmm -- funny how Bush is loathe to send troops to help blacks but won't strike a "no niggers" clause from the deed to a Texas property he bought.

Gore said that there is a key difference -- and then called "nation building" a perjorative phrase (he should have said why).  Gore pointed out that we turned our back on Europe after WWI, but after WWII we laid down the Marshall Plan and built NATO.  We were "nation building," even bringing in civil administrators.

Lehrer asked Bush where the U.S. military was overextended.  Bush lied -- saying that the military has atrophied.  Bush said he wants our troops out of the Balkans (i.e. an open invitation for Serbs to slaughter Muslims).  Bush wants a peaceful Colombia (ha, ha, ha -- no doubt to keep the flow of cocaine stable).  "Are we gonna have a nation building corps?... When it gets overextended, morale drops."  Two lies in a roe!  "I'm gonna be judicious as to how I use the military!"  He sounded all riled up.

Gore, in reassuring tones, said essentially that he doesn't entirely disagree -- but when, in Haiti, "chaos [was] brewing in our back yard.... we did the right thing there... 'Nation building' -- the phrase sounds grandiose."  Good one!  Gore then lit into Bush's LIE about two divisions not being ready to report for duty.

It's about time, Al!

How do we help poor countries?  Bush said that foreign aid should be used to encourage markets and reform, and current aid has lined the pockets of the powerful (well, how do you PREVENT that, Dub?). Bush attacked the IMF -- and so did Gore, who said that there are calls around the world for IMF reform.  Gore mentioned that foreign agency corruption is a problem, and we can help them find the tools to stop it.  The fundamental choice we have at this unique time of opportunity is to step up to the plate and set the example, provide leadership on the economy and the environment.  Bush said he's not so sure that the U.S. should go around the world saying, "This is the way it should be done" (rehearsed retort).  Bush said that decisions were for Russia to make (but isn't that what LED to Chernomyrdin looting our foreign aid?).

Lehrer said it was time to move on.  Gore wisecracked and got a laugh.  Would Gore sign a law banning racial profiling?  Yes -- an executive order only stops it by federal law enforcement, and he would push for federal legislation.  He mentioned the now-infamous incidents in New Jersey, and said that "we have to find ways to end this."  Bush said he couldn't imagine what it would be like to be profiled -- but then said that he's for local control of governments (i.e. let the Klan run local Alabama police departments).  He does support essentially toothless legislation.  Gore said he's talked to a black cop in Springfield who feels that better training -- including human relations.  "James Byrd was singled out in Texas."  Ouch!  Gore said it's also time for hate crimes laws.  Yow!  Whup-ass time!  Bush said that they have a hate crimes law in Texas -- and the three men would be put to death.  Bush talked about some initiative by Michigan Senator Abraham.  Bush said most Americans are tolerant (right, sure).  Bush said that the biggest area of discrimination was in education -- then laid out a bunch of vague platitudes, calling bad schools "racial profiling" and calling for schools to be measured.  Very clever.  He called for consequences for failed schools -- what consequences?  Gore would call for rigorous civil rights enforcement -- and then said that the hate crimes law proposed this year died!  Bush had to admit that the three killers of Byrd were convicted for murder.  Gore said that he may have been misled by news reports -- because the tough hate crimes law the Byrd family supported DID die in committee.  Gore also mentioned Matthew Shepard -- and the federal hate crimes law got killed.  Bush said that Texas was happy with their hate crimes laws -- and putting those three thugs to death will happen.

Same-sex relationships!  Bush opposes same-sex marriages, and said he assumes that Gore supports the "Defense of Marriage" act -- the mentioned he's a uniter, not a divider.  Gore said America should find a means to civic unions.  Bush wasn't sure what Gore meant: "I don't know where he's coming from."  Should gays and lesbians have the same rights as others?  Bush wants no new laws.   Gore said he supports federal laws that would prevent firing of people for being gay.  Bush said he was not familiar with what the law meant, sounding defensive.  Lehrer asked about "special rights."  Bush is against "special protective status."

Gun control!  Gore shifted, saying that Bush made an insensitive statement about education -- but said that he was against affecting sportsmen and hunters, but guns should not be allowed into the hands of children.  He wants stronger background checks and funding of enforcement of present laws.  Gore also wants mandatory gun trigger locks and gun-free school zones.  Bush rattled off support of enforcements -- and likes Project Exile, but thinks that it has not been well-enforced.  Bush also likes instant background checks (that let thugs slip through).  Bush is giving away gun locks.  Bush said "Gore is in favor of re-gi-stray-shun" in a condescending manner -- and only law-abiders would register them.  Gore said that he is NOT for licensing guns that are out there, including existing handguns -- but that states should issue photo IDs for purchases of new handguns.  "This is in the aftermath of Columbine, Paducah... "  Bush said he's not for photo IDs, and people shouldn't carry guns into school -- then went into people's "hearts turned dark by the Internet," the culture of death, and faith-based after-school programs (huh? what is this -- a Christian Taliban?).  Gore said there is a cultural problem, and that he would do something about it -- he did say that better parenting is a key, but that something more must be done about cheap handguns that kids get their hands on.  Bush said there should be strong enforcement of the laws (well, how do you intend to fund enforcement?).

Health insurance for kids.  Bush has a plan, he said -- some are not choosing to buy health care, and for them he wants medical savings accounts (they're a SCAM pushed by Golden Rule and other right-wingers in the insurance industry).  Bush also wants to see a $2000 rebate to line the pockets of the insurance industry.  Gore said that it is his top priority to get every kid covered -- but not with a big government plan.  We should start by extending the CHIP program to every kid in the U.S., and that Texas ranks 49th for children and women and 50th with families for health care -- "I'll leave it at that."  Is the Vice President correct?   all Bush could say was a lie -- that Gore wanted a government run program in 1993 -- SEVEN years ago.  Bush bragged about how little work the Texas legislature works.  Bush said that Texas is doing better than the federal government.  Gore said the reason Bush did not answer directly is that the facts are correct -- and while he's no expert on Texas procedure, Bush opposed money for kids and directed it into a tax cut for the rich and for an oil company "emergency."  Gore even cited a judge ruling that Bush had to help kids. Ouch!  The kids were eligible but the barriers prevented people form applying.  Bush was defensive, saying that he was not a hard-hearted person -- he called it absurd.  The jury on how nice he is -- the people of Texas (right -- all the redneck crackers).  Lehrer asked if Gore was suggesting that Bush would operate this way as president?  Gore said yes -- but that he was in no way implying that Bush was hard-hearted, but had poor priorities.  If you were governor of the worst state on family insurance and had a surplus, wouldn't you want to go from 50 to 45?  Gore then hammered Bush's priorities on the surplus.  Bush said Gore's facts about the Bush tax cut were not true. "It's a totally different point of view."  Bush was angry, defensive.  "My state cares a lot about our children!.... If you're happy with inactivity..." Ha, ha, ha...

Lehrer asked if Gore still felt that environmental recovery should be a unifying force.  Gore said yes -- and if the U.S. takes the leadership role and creates, for example, super-efficient cars, we will hold the lead.   Japan, he said, is breathing down America's neck.  Holding onto old ways -- the environment and economy being in conflict -- is wrong.  Gore slammed Bush for Houston smog and opening wildlife refuges to oil drilling.  Bush talked about cleaning up brown fields -- and a call for no liability for cleaning up brown fields.  Bush said Gore had advocated high energy taxes, and states could make the right environmental decisions.  He called gas a clean fuel (not completely true).  People care about the land (can you say empty platitudes?).  Gore wants to take on global warming -- and tax cuts as incentives for fuel-efficient technologies.  Gore added that there is a fundamental difference on the environment.  Bush said that the command and control should not come from Washington -- then said something about mandatory regulations on grandfathered plants.  Aren't new laws called for?  Bush wants laws based on "science" (code word for written by oil lobbyists).  Gore said he is against command and control -- but along with industries, communities must be involved.  Gore also set Bush straight on the causes of global warming, and said that he did not want to tell his grandchildren that he turned away from the challenge of preserving the environment.  Bush: haven't some scientists changed their opinions on global warming?  Bush had broken the rules -- and Lehrer interjected!  "People care about rules." Ha, ha, ha.  Bush kept harping on "different opinions."

Lehrer then asked Bush about Gore being criticized for :"stretching the facts," and Bush used his stump speech line about "mangling a syl-LAB-bull."  Bush then mentioned a 1988 memo that the GOP got their hands on in which Gore was told to tone down his assertions, then attacked Gore for a bunch of "exaggerations" -- but none that came from Gore tonight!  Gore said he got a couple details wrong, and that he's going to try to do better -- and acknowledged that it di get in the way of his message.  He turned to both the girl who had no school desk in Florida and the woman whose pharma bills were sky-high (both of which were true).  He said he may make mistakes, but will try not to -- and that he will do his best to get the big things right.  Does that settle the situation for Bush and his campaign?  Bush said "wait and see."  Gore then had to stand to account for a commercial calling Bush a bumbler -- but then attacked Bush for his tax giveback scheme!  Bush said Gore was exaggerating -- and got a laugh.  Bush said he was not the one getting the facts mixed up.

Closing statements -- Gore talked education, tuition tax credits, shrinking class size.  He said that squandering a surplus on givebacks for the rich, you can't get both education and health reform done.  Bush went back to "finger-pointing" in DC as bad and said he wants to be a uniter.  He said he worries about military morale.  He wants to do something about Social Security (destroy it with privatization).  He said e believes in tax relief and limited government.  "Thank y'fer listenin, God bless."

So how do we score it?  Gore succeeded in deftly defusing the issue of "exaggerations."  And while there was a facade of courtly decorum and civility, Gore was able to use the gambit of "I agree with Bush BUT..." to tremendous effect.  Gore also came across as warm, experienced, and thoroughly versed in facts and issues.  Bush was a hair better on knowing country names and issues, but kept falling into his "plain-spoken" manner that clearly showed where he's been rehearsed -- and where he's been riffing.  Bush was also blocked from discussing his favorite issues as Gore successfully steered much of the subject matter being debated toward areas where Gore has an advantage.  Bush, while claiming to be a "uniter-not-divider" tried to bring up old hot-button positions that appeal to traditional conservatives -- a curious tactic, as the goal of both candidates is to swing undecided voters.