What You Thought

Immediately after the first Clinton-Dole debate, AllPolitics readers leapt to their keyboards to offer their own spin. Here's a sampling of what people thought. If you'd like to weigh in too, you can send us e-mail at editor@AllPolitics.com

"Neither Candidate Ever Actually Answers"

Did you ever notice, how neither candidate ever actually answers any questions? They seem to try to spin each question into a pre-fab answer that usually has little or nothing to do with the original question. Exactly what does that say about the public in general...?

Also, exactly what is the purpose of ANY pre-election polls. If we are to believe that we each have an equal say in who gets into office, I find it absurd to see so many polls. Only a total idiot would believe that these polls have no effect on how people do or do not vote... Pre-election polls should (by all that is right) be banned and we should vote on who we want...

Finally, how many times do we have to get lied to by promises of tax cuts before the American people get it? We cannot have it all... We have to stop believing nonsensical promises like these? Will we ever get it... Doubtful...

Sorry about the negativity of this message, but let's get real!

-- Tom Pietrzak

"Shame On CNN"

Shame on CNN for starting to take the side of Bob Dole. I thought this was above you. The amount of sound clips, and negative information about Clinton has been about 2 to 1. Your hosts let anti-Clinton comments go on and on and on. A good debate is great, but if you let one side be heard more then the other, you are taking sides. I never thought I would see this from CNN.

-- Walter Toth

"Dole Did Much Better"

I see how you operate: Heads, Clinton wins; Tails, Clinton wins.

The truth is that DOLE did MUCH BETTER than anyone expected. It is also true that CLINTON did NOT DO MUCH BETTER than anyone expected....It is further true that, in relation to their debate RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, in contradistinction to pre-debate polls and pundits' expectations, Clinton DID NOT WIN, but merely TIED... And therefore, it is true, moreover, that DOLE did NOT LOSE TO CLINTON, but merely tied, and thus did BETTER than expected; and that CLINTON did NOT WIN OVER DOLE, but merely tied, and thus did WORSE than expected...It is further true that Dole, though he was well-known and respected in Washington, is not well known in the hustings -- except through the faulty image painted by the Democratic Party and the labor unions and the other eight Republican Primary candidates. THUS, to the extent that DOLE IMPROVED HIM IMAGE (via his jokes, his smiles, his reluctance to go for the jugular, his ability to debate rationally and not wear horns on his head) DOLE BENEFITTED MUCH MORE from the debate, and thus WON much MORE than Clinton. Equal stature presidentially, but Dole's character is superior, and if he is also likeable, and not scary, then, maybe MAYBE he can win. After all, he SHOULD WIN. Even Clinton admits that liberalism is over; that the conservative way is eminently imitable -- at least IN ELECTION YEAR.

I pray that you pundits get a little perspective and take that pro-Clinton button off. You don't have to be pro-Dole, but for heaven's sake, get a new coin to toss.

-- Cheryl Gager

"Blurted Out Whatever Came Into His Head"

I watched the entire debate, listened to every word, and I really could not believe what I was hearing at times from Bob Dole.

He said Americans are prisoners in their own homes? (What is this man talking about?)

He kept referring to BETTER schools. (There should not be such a thing as BETTER schools, all schools SHOULD BE EQUAL.)

He was babbling about President Clinton not calling George Bush "Mr. President" in 1992. (What has that got to do with anything in this debate or presidential race?)

I think Bob Dole just blurted out whatever came into his head at a particular time....he is trying to use "one-liners" and get a laugh or two.....but, I'm sorry, this man should not be president and he might want to consider skipping the next debate. President Clinton should be re-elected without any problem if Americans are watching these debates.

-- Tamara Kessinger, Louisville, Ky.

"Stop The Larry And Ross Show"

I am really wondering when CNN is going to stop the Larry and Ross show. Instead of being able to get meaningful analysis of the debate I had to watch Mr. Perot with his usual "owners of this country" rhetoric, at least until I could change the channel to PBS. It isn't a matter of party affiliation or preference, it is a matter of a major network giving air time to an also-ran candidate who can't accept the fact that his fifteen minutes of fame is fading faster than a Texas sunset.

Enough is enough.

-- Chuck Hodell

"A Man Of Integrity"

I watched the debate on Sunday night and thought that there is really only one clear issue: There are two men requesting our vote for the highest office in this country; one is a man of integrity and the other is a man who has a history of going back on his word. If we did not attach names to these candidates, who would you choose? I feel the people of this country are far too intelligent to cast their vote for a smooth-talking deceiver, who at one point in time did drugs and when asked if he'd had the chance would he do it again, said he would, and during the debate he said he hates drugs. There is one man who will tell you what he believes and what his convictions are and you know them to be genuine; while the other has no convictions to speak of and will tickle your ear with whatever it takes to get your vote. I vote for honesty; it is what this country needs at this time.

Thank you for your time,

-- Thomas J. Vaichus

"Create An Illusion"

I watched the first debate on Sunday and I don't think I heard a positive word come out of Senator Dole's mouth. If I'd been asleep these past four years and woke up and heard his painting of the country, I'd think we were on the brink of disaster, but I've been awake these four years and I certainly don't feel that way. His only chance of getting elected is to create an illusion that the country is somehow worse off. I think it's shameful that he would try to get the American people to feel bad about their country when most polls show people are starting to feel pretty good again. Bob Dole angered me, he bored me, and convinced me that I'm right in voting for President Clinton!

-- Mandy

"A Great Job"

I think Bob Dole did a great job last night. (I might be a little biased -- I am a conservative.) Looking forward to the next debate.

-- Frank Hurley

"Humor And Facts"

I think Bob Dole used a good combination of humor and facts to expertly make his points. He did a great job. Clinton seemed to just parrot a very rehearsed script. I think that Dole is a winner!

-- Dan

"More Sincere And Believable"

Although admittedly partisan, I think that Senator Dole "won" the debate last night. While not as polished or articulate as President Clinton, he came across as more sincere and believable as well as finally exposing the tip of Clinton's disinformation iceberg. Senator Dole can confidently say "veni, vidi, vici".

-- Peter J. Weimerskirch

"Far Too Easy On The Republicans"

I feel that the president is far too easy on the Republicans. He should be reminding people that Republicans almost without exception have tried to block programs which benefit anyone except the wealthy. He should point out that SS (Social Security) and Medicare only exist because of Democrats and some independents. For the Republicans to imply that they want to be the saviors of these programs is as plausible as the fox being the Christ for chickens.

-- Dick Schladen

"Did Not, And Will Not, Watch"

I did not, and will not, watch any of the debates that do not include all the candidates. I feel that you should include a section on your polls that state, "Did you watch the debates?" and if not, "Why?" I thoroughly enjoyed Ross on the CNN Larry King Live show afterward, and truly enjoyed watching the other four candidates answer questions from Larry. They were the standouts in the debate, I would rather hear them prime time.

My opinion of Clinton/Dole? What is the difference? Dole voted for every single thing the Clinton Administration wanted, including the devastating GATT/NAFTA accords! Any U.S. servant who voted for those accords should be tried for treason, and expelled from the country. Go third-party candidates!!!

-- Kerry Baker

Voter's Voice Archives

Looking Ahead To The First Debate (10/03)
The Other Debate (9/23)
On Bob Dole's Fall And Other Events (9/20)
The Exclusion Of Ross Perot From The Debates (9/17)
Democracy In America (9/16)
Campaign Coverage (9/11)
Election Season Heats Up (9/4)
"Smoke-Screen Controversy" (8/29)
Write Bill Clinton's Acceptance Speech (8/28)
Robert Dole's Acceptance Speech And Final Impressions (8/20)
Robert Dole's Tax Plan (8/5)
"Even The Slightest Scrutiny" (7/2)
"It Is High Time" (6/17)
"Why Punish The Good Kids?" (6/6)
"Clinton's True Nature" (5/31)
"A Great President" (5/24)
"He's History" (5/16)
GOP Congress Not Omniscient (5/15)
Strategy For Dole (5/3)
New Hampshire Voters (3/20)

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