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ELECTION 2004

Dole, Gore Offer Lively Debate at Regent University

By Sarah Pollak
CBN News Reporter

October 25, 2004

Gore gives Bush credit for going in to Afghanistan after the September 11th attacks to clear out the al-Qaeda camps. But he says Bush should have remained focused on al-Qaeda instead of going in to Iraq.

Gore said, "We've lost prestige overseas, the military is stretched thin and we have less moral authority in the world."

Dole disagrees. He read Gore his own statement from a couple of years ago saying that he believed there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

And Dole wanted to set the record straight on what he sees as two of the biggest misconceptions about the Bush campaign.

Dole said, "One, to reinstate the draft. That was a phony statement in The New York Times Magazine which the Democrats made an ad out of it and Bush never said it! And another thing, he's never said he's going to privatize Social Security. That's not true. He's going to allow young people to take a little bit of their Social Security and invest it in private funds, so they can get higher returns."

There were some sharp exchanges on the issues between these two men, but what stood out is the civil nature that a debate can take on between two men who are no longer seeking political office. In fact, Dole and Gore could get jobs as stand up comedians.

Dole remarked, "I did make a few commercials. I didn't bring any samples. (laughter) Someone already asked me, but it's hard to walk around with a Pepsi in your pocket."

The debaters were even able to find some humor over the loss of jobs.

Gore said, "Well, I am concerned about the economy, I was the first one laid off!"

Dole commented, "Al's going to have a place in history. He got more votes than anyone else, but didn't get to be president. And the same thing happened to me, except I got fewer votes and didn't get to be president."

Gore said, "It's true that along with all the jobs lost, there are some new jobs being created, but the new jobs aren't as good as the ones that people have lost and that's true for me, too. (laughter) It's not funny!” (laughter)

When it all came down to the bottom line, Dole and Gore made their best pitches for their party's candidates.

Dole said, "I know that he's a strong leader, I know he stays on message. I know he keeps his word. He doesn't have different positions on different days on different issues, and that's what this election is all about."

Gore said, "Now you know I am supporting the Kerry/Edwards ticket and you also know that I am biased against George W. Bush. I didn't vote for the guy." (laughter)
He added, "I believe it's time for change, to take a new approach with new leadership, and that's why I support John Kerry and John Edwards."

Dole quipped, "Why are you supporting Kerry? I mean a smart guy like you?" (laughter)