All The Questions

Moderator Jim Lehrer asked each question to one of the candidates, who had 90 seconds to answer. The other candidate then had time to respond, too.

LEHRER: Mr. President, first question. There's a major difference in your view of the role of the federal government and that of Senator Dole. How would you define the difference?

LEHRER: Senator Dole, the president said in his opening statement we are better off today than we were four years ago. Do you agree?

LEHRER: Mr. President, Senator Dole has come pretty close in the last few days of accusing you of lying about his position on Medicare reform. Have you done so?

LEHRER: Senator Dole, speaking of your tax plan, do you still think that's a good idea, the 15 percent across-the-board tax cut?

LEHRER: Mr. President, the senator mentioned the trial lawyers, and that means campaign financing. How do you personally avoid being unduly influenced by people who give you money or give you services in your campaigns?

LEHRER: Well, Senator Dole, let me ask you the same question I asked the president. How do you avoid being influenced by people who contribute money and services to your campaign?

LEHRER: Mr. President, the Senator mentioned drugs... He's suggested in the past that you are -- you bear some responsibility for the rise in drug use of teenagers in the United States. Is he right?

LEHRER: Senator Dole, on the government -- continuing to talk about the government's role. If elected president, would you seek to repeal the Brady bill and the ban on assault weapons?

LEHRER: Mr. President, Senator Dole said the other day that you practiced a photo-op foreign policy that has lessened the credibility of the United States throughout the world. Is he wrong about that?

LEHRER: Senator Dole, if elected president, what criteria would you use to decide when to send U.S. troops into harm's way?

LEHRER: Mr. President, what is your attitude toward Cuba and how Cuba should be treated?

LEHRER: Senator Dole, you mentioned health reform several times. What do you think should be done about the health care system?

LEHRER: Back to foreign affairs for a moment, Mr. President. Are you satisfied with the way you handled this last Iraq crisis and the end result?

LEHRER: Senator Dole, on your photo-op foreign policy charge against the president...

DOLE: It's not mine.

LEHRER: Oh, no, no, I mean your charge against the president that he has a photo-op foreign policy.

DOLE: Oh.

LEHRER: Does the Middle East summit last week fall into that category?

LEHRER: Mr. President, in your acceptance speech in Chicago, you said the real choice in this race is quote, "Whether we build a bridge to the future or a bridge to the past; about whether we believe our best days are still out there or our best days are behind us; about whether we want a country of people all working together or one where you're on your own." Are you saying that you believe Senator Dole is a man of the past, and if elected president, he would lead the country backward?

LEHRER: Senator Dole, do you still favor eliminating the Department of Education?

LEHRER: Mr. President, what's wrong with the school choice proposal?

LEHRER: Senator Dole, at the Republican convention you said the following, and I quote, "It is demeaning to the nation that within the Clinton administration the core of the elite who never grew up, never did anything real, never sacrificed, never suffered and never learned should have the power to fund with your earnings their dubious and self serving schemes." Whom precisely, and what precisely did you have in mind?

LEHRER: Mr. President, if you're not a liberal, describe your political philosophy.

LEHRER: Senator Dole, we've talked mostly now about differences between the two of you that relate to policy, issues and that sort of thing. Are there also significant differences in the more personal area that are relevant to this election?

LEHRER: Senator Dole, if you could single out one thing that you would like for the voters to have in their mind about President Clinton on a policy matter or a personal matter, what would it be? Something to know about him, understand it and appreciate it?

LEHRER: Mr. President, what do you say to Senator Dole's point that this election is about keeping one's word?