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In a nutshell One's Sighs Fit AllBy Rick Horowitz They were up there for 90 minutes. Here are the highlights in 90 seconds. Jim Lehrer: Good evening from Boston, and welcome to this presidential debate. I'm Jim Lehrer, and -- Al Gore: Could I respond to that? Lehrer: I haven't said anything yet. Gore: Just a quick comment, Jim -- the governor wants to spend more money on tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent than on all the new spending he proposes for education, health care, prescription drugs and national defense, combined. Lehrer: Governor, your rebuttal? George W. Bush: Well, I -- Gore: A quick reply, Jim? A quick reply? Lehrer: Let's allow the governor to comment first. Gore: (Sigh...) Dubya: The man's got phony numbers. I come from West Texas. We've got real numbers in West Texas. Not phony numbers. Lehrer: OK, let's move along. Governor, how would you -- Gore: If I could just add something? Lehrer: Very briefly, please. Gore: Absolutely. The governor wants to spend more money on tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent than on all the new spending he proposes for education, health care, prescription drugs and national defense, combined. Lehrer: Governor? Dubya: The man's got phony numbers and fuzzy math. He trusts the government with your money. I don't trust the government. That's why I want to be president. Gore: (Derisive chuckle...) Lehrer: Mr. Vice President, was that a derisive chuckle? Gore: Well, Jim, I always chuckle derisively when my opponent wants to spend a lot of money on the wealthiest one percent. Could I just respond? Lehrer: You are responding. Gore: Then can I respond to my response? Dubya: Can I say something? Lehrer: Governor, would you like to get in on this? Dubya: I have a snappy one-liner I want to use. I've been practicing it for days, and I want to get it out before I forget it. Lehrer: Go right ahead. Dubya: I'm beginning to think, not only did he invent the Internet, but he invented the calculator. Gore: (Sigh...) Lehrer: Thank you, Governor. Dubya: That was a good one. Lehrer: Let me ask both of you about some other -- Gore: I served on the House Intelligence Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee and the National Security Council. Dubya: I stood next to Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf. Lehrer: Actually, I'd rather hear about your -- Dubya: I've got a four-point education plan, and I know a man in Houston. Gore: I know a man in Sarasota whose daughter doesn't have a desk. Dubya: I know how to work with Democrats. Gore: I know a woman who picks up cans. Dubya: I -- Gore: Could I respond to that? Lehrer: (Sigh...) Posted 10/5/00. Make
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Rick Horowitz