PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES IN FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT

(page 1)

OCTOBER 6, 1996
SPEAKERS LIST: WILLIAM J. CLINTON,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FORMER SENATOR ROBERT J. DOLE, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
JIM LEHRER, MODERATOR

LEHRER: Good evening from the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, Connecticut. I'm Jim Lehrer with the NEWS HOUR on PBS.

Welcome to the first of the 1996 presidential debates between President Bill Clinton, the Democratic nominee, and Senator Bob Dole, the Republican nominee.

This event is sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates. It will last 90 minutes, following a format and rules worked out by the two campaigns. There will be two-minute opening and closing statements.

In between, a series of questions each having three parts -- a 90-second answer, a 60-second rebuttal, and a 30-second response. I will assist the candidates in adhering to those time limits with the help of a series of lights visible to both.

Under their rules, the candidates are not allowed to question each other directly. I will ask the questions. There are no limitations on the subjects.

The order for everything tonight was determined by coin toss. Now, to the opening statements and to President Clinton. Mr. President.

CLINTON: Thank you, Jim. And thank you to the people of Hartford, our hosts. I want to begin by saying again how much I respect Senator Dole and his record of public service, and how hard I will try to make this campaign and this debate one of ideas, not insults.

Four years ago, I ran for president at a time of high unemployment and rising frustration. I wanted to turn this country around with a program of opportunity for all, responsibility from all and an American community where everybody has a role to play.

I wanted a government that was smaller and less bureaucratic to help people have the tools to make the most of their own lives. Four years ago, you took me on faith.

CLINTON: Now, there's a record: 10.5 million more jobs, rising incomes, falling crime rates and welfare roles, a strong America at peace.

We are better off than we were four years ago. Let's keep it going. We cut the deficit by 60 percent. Now, let's balance the budget and protect Medicare, Medicaid, education and the environment. We cut taxes for 15 million working Americans. Now, let's pass the tax cuts for education and child rearing, help with medical emergencies and buying a home.

We passed Family and Medical Leave, now let's expand it so more people can succeed as parents and in the workforce. We passed 100,000 police, the Assault Weapons Ban, the Brady bill. Now, let's keep going by finishing the work of putting the police on the street and tackling juvenile gangs.

We passed welfare reform, now let's move a million people from welfare to work. And most important, let's make education our highest priority so that every 8 year old will be able to read, every 12-year- old can log onto the Internet, every 18-year-old can go to college.

We can build that bridge to the 21st century, and I look forward to discussing exactly how we're going to do it.

LEHRER: Senator Dole, two minutes.

DOLE: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President for those kind words and thank the people of Hartford, the commission and all those out there who may be listening or watching. It's a great honor for me to be here, standing here as the Republican nominee. I've very proud to be the Republican nominee reaching out to Democrats and independents.

MORE