1996 Presidential Debates

Summary

The 1996 presidential debates followed a less ambitious schedule than the previous round of debates in 1992. President Clinton and his Republican opponent, former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, conducted only two debates, instead of three as Clinton and former President Bush did in 1992.

In both debates, Dole -- who had resigned from the Senate to pursue his presidential ambitions -- focused on cutting taxes while criticizing Clinton's public ethics. Clinton tried to brush aside those complaints, stressing his record as president.

While the candidates used the "town meeting" format pioneered in the 1992 debates for one of the events, the 1996 sessions notably excluded Texas billionaire Ross Perot.

Perot ran in 1996 as the candidate of the Reform Party, an organization he founded after winning 19 percent of the vote his 1992 independent bid. In an appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live" the night of the first Clinton-Dole debate, he said he should have been allowed to debate with Clinton and Dole, even though he was drawing only about 5 percent in the polls at the time. Perot went on to win 8 percent of the vote that year.

DEBATE #1
	Date: October 6, 1996 Location: Hartford, Connecticut Site: The Bushnell Participants: President Clinton (D); former Sen. Bob Dole (R) Moderator: Jim Lehrer, PBS Format: Single moderator. Two-minute opening statements; 90-second answers; 30-second responses; 60-second rebuttals; two-minute closing statements. Total time 90 minutes.

Debate #1

The first debate was a free-wheeling but civil affair as Clinton and Dole sparred over the economy, education, Medicare and tax cuts. Dole skewered the president by saying Clinton was a liberal who wanted to give government too much power over Americans. But Clinton noted that the economy had improved and crime and unemployment were down during his first four years in office. Watch Bill Clinton's response to a question on drugs.

Dole tried to portray himself as a compassionate, caring conservative -- different than unpopular GOP lawmakers in Congress. He recalled his work on the food stamp program, and in cooperating with lawmakers such as George McGovern and Hubert Humphrey.

Dole also touted his plans for a $550 billion tax cut, which Clinton dismissed as an ill-advised plan that would blow a hole in the federal deficit, raise interest rates and force big cuts in discretionary spending and entitlements.

Dole criticized Clinton for managing international affairs on an "ad hoc" basis. "It's sort of, 'Well, we get up in the morning and read the papers and what country is in trouble,'" he said. But Clinton said the world still sought U.S. leadership, citing progress resolving conflicts in the Middle East, Northern Ireland and Haiti.

Though both men accused one another of distorting each other's record, the 90-minute debate was mostly free from mean-spirited attacks. Clinton and Dole said they like each other personally, but simply see the world differently.

A CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll of 615 likely voters, conducted immediately after the debate, found that 51 percent thought Clinton did the better job. But three-quarters said they thought Dole did better than they expected.

DEBATE #2
	Date: October 16, 1996 Location: San Diego, California Site: Shiley Theater, University of San Diego Participants: President Clinton (D); former Sen. Bob Dole (R) Moderator: Jim Lehrer, PBS Format: Town hall meeting with 113 uncommitted voters. Two-minute opening statements; 90-second answers; 30-second responses; 60-second rebuttals; two-minute closing statements. Total time 90 minutes.

Debate #2

The second debate developed a harder tone than the first as Dole again emphasized issues of character and trust. He criticized what he called "scandals almost on a daily basis" during the first Clinton term. Questions from the audience gave Dole the openings he needed to raise the issue. Watch Bob Dole's response to a question on the responsibilities of the president.

Clinton again refused to engage Dole, telling the audience, "No attack ever created a job, or educated a child or helped a family make ends meet."

Domestic issues were at the forefront, compared to the international policy tilt of the first Clinton-Dole debate. The audience asked questions on overhauling welfare, the possibility of U.S. troops being sent to Israel, a capital gains tax cut, the family leave act, affirmative action, third-party participation in the debates and other issues.

Dole again emphasized his plans for a 15 percent, $550 billion tax cut. Clinton, meanwhile, promoted smaller, more targeted tax cuts for education and child-rearing. The closest either man came to an outright gaffe was when Dole said the country was mired in "the worst economy in a century," seeming to ignore the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The candidates stood at podiums, with the audience seated in a semicircle around them, although the candidates occasionally roamed around the stage. It was the kind of forum that favored Clinton in 1992, though both men seemed relaxed.

VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
	Date: October 9, 1996 Location: St. Petersburg, Florida Site: The Bayfront Center Participants: Vice President Al Gore; GOP vice presidential nominee Jack Kemp Moderator: Bernard Shaw, CNN Format: Single moderator. Two-minute opening statements; 90-second answers; 30-second responses; 60-second rebuttals; two-minute closing statements. Total time 90 minutes.

Vice presidential debate

The Al Gore-Jack Kemp vice presidential debate proved a respectful clash of ideas, with the candidates arguing over tax policy, the economy's health and help for America's inner cities. Watch Al Gore's reponse to a question on abortion.

Gore tried to drive a wedge between Kemp and GOP nominee Bob Dole by pointing out their policy differences, while Kemp concentrated on the Clinton administration's tax proposals, saying Clinton's plan would give Americans tax cuts only if they do exactly what the government wants them to do. Watch Jack Jemp's response to a question on Clinton's tax plan.

Gore said the Republican tax-cutting plan was too risky and would mean a higher deficit, higher interest rates and deeper-than-necessary cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and environmental protection. He repeatedly referred to it as a "scheme," echoing a Democratic theme during the presidential campaign.

Kemp called for "a new civil rights agenda," based on expanding access to credit and capital, job opportunities, educational choice for families and ownership options.

A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll showed 57 percent of those polled thought Gore did a better job in the debate than Kemp.