What You Thought

Within minutes of the final moments of tonight's vice presidential debate, AllPolitics readers decided what they thought and zipped off e-mail messages to us. Here's a sampling about the Kemp-Gore face-off. If you'd like to weigh in too, you can send us e-mail at editor@AllPolitics.com

"A CD-ROM?"

You gotta love Al Gore. Don't you think he sounds like a CD-ROM?

-- Greg Thomas, Bloomington, Ind.

"Incoherent And Nervous"

Kemp's performance was the most incoherent and nervous (did you check that upper lip!) I'd seen since Nixon '60. If this was a fight, they'd have ruled it a TKO 45 minutes in.

-- Jim

"Kemp Wins!"

KEMP WINS! My heavens -- have you EVER, EVER seen anybody as good as Kemp. Sticks to the point, is engaging, has command of the stage -- and most of all, he is convincing. I believe THIS MAN BELIEVES WHAT HE SAYS, and I believe HIM. (Does anyone plan to count how many times VP GORE said "risky," "scheme" and so on?)

-- Cheryl Gager

"Nailed Al Gore? I Don't Think So"

Jack Kemp "nailed" Al Gore??!!?? I don't think so. If I were a contractor of a construction site and couldn't nail any better than THAT, I'd have lots of broken fingers!

-- Mark Adcock

"Al Gore Won Handily"

I thought Al Gore won handily (much as I like Jack Kemp). Gore seemed to me not wooden, but stately, with his facts well in hand. Jack Kemp sounded somewhat strained, and I felt that somehow many phrases and facts were a committee production, not his own.

-- Roberta Willing

"Like A Broken Record"

Al Gore was scripted using the phrase "tax cut scheme" repeatedly like a broken record. It added little to the dialogue or informing the public. The discriminatory tax cut he endorsed favors first-time home buyers, individuals sending children to college, etc. What about those of us living on fixed incomes who have no intent on selling our home and who have already paid for the college educations of our children? It is taking my money and giving it to others, thus making it impossible for me to save for when I can no longer work and will have to live on my retirement, Social Security, assuming it is still solvent. That is why the Democrats are bankrupt. All of the reforms Gore talked about are of those programs that the Democrats created in the first place.

I wish we could abolish the federal government which is strangling the people of the United States. I wouldn't vote for a Democrat for dog catcher and wish they would all get lost.

-- Raymond L. Marky

"A Re-Run"

The vice presidential debate seemed like a re-run of the presidential debate. While Gore came prepared with facts and answers, Kemp evaded the questions by launching into rhetoric on two or three subjects repeatedly, until the question itself was lost. I would have to give the debate to Al Gore, and also my vote.

-- Al Veign

"Trailed Off Into Rhetorical Philosophy"

VP Debates: Before I state my reaction to tonight's Vice-Presidential debate, I must say that I am a moderate Republican by the fact that even though I am a pro-life, economic conservative, I am a pro-gun control, social liberal. I am very disappointed in Jack Kemp's performance due to his avoidance of answering the question asked. Almost every answer Kemp gave trailed off into rhetorical philosophy. He was abstract and vague while Gore was simple and specific. Sunday night I was disappointed in the fact that Dole missed several opportunities to challenge Clinton such as Clinton agreeing that he could use the 15 percent flat tax rate and the question on how Clinton has kept his word. I respect and admire Dole for his integrity and high morals but those opportunities were too great to miss.

Thank you,

-- Camille Dixon

Voter's Voice Archives

The First Debate: What You Thought (10/07)
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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