What Did You Think?

The final debate is history, and the only judgment that counts is yours. What did you think? Which candidate did the better job? Did Bob Dole make his case on public ethics? Did Bill Clinton make his case for another four years? And what did you think of the town hall format? Let us know by sending e-mail to editor@AllPolitics.com

"How About The Honest Truth?"

How about the honest truth? That's something we have not heard much of from either candidate. At the last debate, for example, both candidates gave us "facts" and figures which had to be corrected later. How can we believe anything they say after all the broken promises and half-truths? I hardly trust any politician. I don't think too many people do, and that is very sad.

-- Abbas Aminmansour, University Park, Pa.

"It's The Morality, Stupid"

I agree with many of the things said by other people regarding this. I feel that the theme of Dole's campaign should be, "It's not the economy, it's the morality, stupid."

Dole should give up on trying to convince people that the economy isn't doing well, and concentrate on the fact that what good is a strong economy if our moral fabric is coming undone?

Although I did not vote for him in the primary, Alan Keyes made an excellent point when he said that we don't have kids killing other kids because of our economic and/or foreign policies. When recent polls have shown that most people think that Clinton is untrustworthy and a liar, but they would still vote for him, what kind of a reflection is that on our society?

With a record of attempting to let gays enter the military, and the nominations of Jocelyn Elders and Henry Foster, Dole should be hammering it home that Clinton is a true liberal.

Thank you for your time.

-- Richard Porter

"Let A True Republican Take Over"

This is what Bob Dole should say to the voters at the debate this Wednesday night:

-- I'm a conservative and that's what's right for America. We have had a LIBERAL in the White House for years. And that's enough. -- IF you want to end the era of big government -- IF you to cut the big taxes -- IF you want a better America

Let a true Republican take over in the White House. All the positive things that happened the last years are due to our Republican governors. Let that positive movement take over even in the White House!

-- Marcus Oscarsson, Sweden

"Good Night!"

Bob Dole should say "Good night!" It's over.

-- Denise Appicelli, New Castle, Pa.

"I Am Pulling For You, Bob Dole"

Tell the truth about somebody and they get turned-off. Tell an absolute lie to degrade someone/build yourself up and they believe you every time. The secret seems to be victimization: think about it. The lies usually tell people how mistreated you've been and the truth is often perceived as an attack against the other person.

For this reason, I think Bob Dole should, while not skirting the issues of how the president has deceived our nation, used the office he fills for his own benefit, etc., explain some of his feelings about how he personally feels while he/his views are being rejected. He is patriotic: what has that gotten him? He is honest: how is his honesty being perceived? He has given many years to this country as a congressional leader: why is that some perceive some of his accomplishments as beating our country to death?

And then ask the American people to look at issues, not who is supposedly being "victimized." How do they feel when their hard-earned dollars go to waste by a heavy government that spends, spends, spends and gives little back? How do they feel when they know that the multiple millions of dollars that were spent in eradicating Saddam Hussein's attack structure actually achieved very little? And how, when the now-president explains his achievements and includes achievements of other people as being his own, can they blindly believe the President without actually trying to get true information about the truth of the matter.

I am pulling for you, Bob Dole. I am pulling for you because I sense your honesty, because I see your dedication to America/Americans, and because I think you would honestly do a good job in office. Tell people how you would have reacted differently than the President in certain circumstances and WHY you would have done that. After all, didn't Clinton use that technique for himself? The difference is, he absolutely twists his oral output to fit the attitudes of who he is talking with at that point (getting brownie points) and I don't believe you would.

-- Mrs. James Scruggs, Omaha, Neb.

"Exactly What Dole Should Not Do"

Now that Clinton and the press think that Dole is going to start flinging the mud, that's exactly what Dole should not do. Although I think it needs to be made clear what Clinton has done, it would be more effective to not do it when everyone is waiting for it to be done tonight. Clinton advisors say that Clinton has not been practicing for the bombs that are expected by Dole, but that is just as much a lie as other things that Clinton has told the American public.

Give 'em hell, Bob!

-- John Haverty, Lawrence, Kan.

"How He...Became So Wealthy"

It seems to me that Dole should explain to Clinton how he and especially his wife became so wealthy while being "public servants." Not only did they get rich -- there is no scandal associated with it!?!? The Clintons just haven't figured the whole thing out like most Republicans. I would then have him explain how he could have the "xxxxx" to bring up the character issue?!?! He dumped his first wife, got rich in office, married someone even more skilled at enriching herself while in office.

-- Nikki, San Antonio, Texas

"Polls Are Known To Be Wrong"

I do not believe Bob Dole must say anything. Bill Clinton has obviously made some serious mistakes which must be taken into consideration. Of course the liberal media will not inform the public of these mistakes so possibly Dole should mention things like illegal campaign funding, Whitewater, etc. But the bottom line is that the polls are known to be wrong. I think if you look at it closely you will see that in most states Dole is trailing by only a percentage point or two. We must remember that this election is not by popular vote rather by the electorial votes. Dole is not in bad shape at all. He must remind voters not to overlook him simply because the liberal media says he cannot win. That more than anything else should be mentioned.

-- Warren Davis

"Explain In Better Terms His Tax Proposal"

If Bob Dole wants to get my vote and come out ahead with others still on the sideline, then he should explain in better terms his tax proposal, how the deficit will be reduced, and stimulate the economy for all of us. He must come across, not as the elder statesman, but as mentor to future generations. I don't wish to be talked down to; however, I do think that he needs to better "verbalize" his ideas....too often he looks flustered and unsure.

One last comment...if you go after the scandals and character issue you lose my vote. These issues have been playing out in the courts for over two years and still nothing sticks to Mr. Clinton -- do you actually believe in 90 minutes you will succeed? --- not with me.

Let the judicial system work and the attorneys dig up all the mud. If you don't Clinton and the media will surely play this as the "last strategy" of your campaign. If you can't convince the electorate how good you and your presidency will be for the country, then smearing the opposition with innuendo, debatable facts, and history of waffling, what does that say about your "moral and ethical" standards? What is says to me is you will compromise them just like so many others just to get into office!! Please don't replace let your campaign be sloganized by the words, "Its the scandals, stupid"!

-- Kent Speer

"Bent On Smearing The President"

I've read the responses thus far, and its interesting to see what actually motivates people politically. Most of those responding are obviously Republican due to the negative tone of the issues raised. It seems Republicans are bent on smearing the president rather than offering an agenda for the future. Republicans are known for going for the jugular even if the facts speak otherwise.

The facts are clear: the economy is doing good, more people are working better jobs, violence is down, interest rates are down, inflation is down and the world is at peace. I know it irks Republicans to no end to give any credit for any of these "positives" to the President. That is their political way.

However, Bob Dole has not given me any reason why I as a Democrat should vote for him. I voted (naively) for Ronald Reagan and look what he did to the economy. Sure the yuppies got rich at the expense of the economy, and Bush came along and killed it off. Now that things are better under a Democrat, why should I vote for Bob Dole? Sure some of the ethics issues worry me, yet some of it is typical Republican vengeance and rhetoric. The question remains: why should I consider Bob Dole for President?

-- Eli Hernandez, Dallas

"Compelling Vision"

Most Americans tend to believe they are O.K. So the "how bad things are" approach just doesn't catch. Dole needs to come across with a compelling vision of how to build an even better tomorrow without tearing down the present.

-- Eric Crawford, Greenwood, S.C.

"Concrete Attacks"

I feel it's imperative that Dole comes out with concrete attacks and examples on Bill Clinton's waffling, changing of positions, and outright 180-degree changes in position. Instead of just mentioning it, come forth with real examples the voters can relate to.

Also, I think Dole has to raise the economy issue by using relative numbers. Just four years ago, Clinton ran on the "It's the economy, stupid!" phrase, and it worked wonderfully. George Bush was thrown out of office by the electorate because of what was perceived as a stagnant economy. The problem is, the growth rate under the current administration is no better, yet voters don't seem to recognize this. To put it in the words of the Democrats, Clinton inherited an economy that was growing at about 4.5%, it's now growing at about 2.5%. That's not growth at all, but actually a cut. Clinton has cut our economic growth in half!

-- John

"Not Their Father"

Mr. Dole should tell the American people he's not their father and it's not his job to take care of them. It's his job as president to execute a logical foreign policy and domestically work to allow each citizen the opportunity to be all that they can be. The American people are adults and need to be treated as such, not the childish way Al Gore talks to us.

-- Mike

"Election-Year Frauds"

Here are some talking points for Bob Dole to use this Wednesday.

THE CLINTON-GORE ELECTION-YEAR FRAUDS:

1) Clinton & Gore have sensible middle-class tax cut proposals. WRONG! The Clinton proposals would scale back over $105 billion in middle-class tax increases to "only" $65-70 billion. Only a pair of LIBERALS who love big government more than their country could engage in such an act of public deceit.

2) Crime is down, thanks to the Clinton anti-crime proposals, which emphasize root causes, prevention, and alternatives to prison & punishment. WRONG! The crime rate dropped in 1995 because big states with high crime rates all elected Republican governors, who have delivered on their promise to put criminals in jail, rather than coddling them. The Clinton Administration has tried to usurp state and local police authority by pushing federal programs, so that their LIBERAL judges can keep criminals (like Willie Horton -- the "poster child" for liberalism run amok) out of jail.

3) The economy has done well under Clinton (better than under Bush), and Clinton's policies had a lot to do with that. WRONG! The economy was improving in 1992 due to GOP policies. Clinton's economic policies were not implemented until mid-1994, and they have slowed the economy to a growth rate which is about half what it was when he took office. Clinton's policies have transferred wealth from the middle class (who produce it) to the parasitic LIBERALS (who waste it). If Clinton and Gore are re-elected, the welfare state, the regulatory bureaucracies, and all kinds of failed programs will benefit at the expense of the nation's middle-class families.

I hope these are helpful and useful.

-- Brian Lynch

"Legitimate Ethical Concerns"

Dole should attack legitimate ethical concerns; not sling personal mud. What QUALITY are those new 10 million jobs of Clinton?

After the initial 90 minutes, he should suggest extending the debate for perhaps another half hour or so if it's going well as a way to suggest to the audience(s) he truly wants to hear and address all their concerns and he is not old, tired, or less of a debater than Clinton. Finally, don't look at your watch, Mr. Dole!!

-- Ernie Svensson

"Dick Morris' 'Escort' "

In the upcoming debate, I think there are a great number of interesting questions for Bob Dole to ask President Clinton. First, whether President Clinton had asked his political adviser Dick Morris exactly what government information his "escort" was allowed to hear, (i.e. was any information pertinent to our national security) and if President Clinton has not done so, then why not. Second, is the situation in Somalia any different than before the United State's intervention there. If not, then why should the American people have faith in Clinton's judgement, especially when dealing with the lives of the American military servicemen and women like those killed and dragged through the streets there. Third, Dole should mention that judging by news reports, most Americans think that the personal integrity and character of the president of the United States is of secondary importance. Dole should ask Clinton whether he thinks that this particular sentiment of the American people is a 'good' thing.

-- Patrick Taylor. Charlottesville, Va.

"What He Is Going To Do"

I feel that former Senator Dole should inform us voters specifically what he is going to do as president, rather than speak in general terms. I also believe he should tell us, the voters, the same thing that President Clinton has. Whether the voter likes it or not, at least with Clinton, you know what he is going to do as president; he told us. Dole has only told us "15 percent." What else will he do?

-- Dennis Bubla, San Antonio, Texas

"Who Should Have the Money?"

...the one point Dole should make is that his plan to cut taxes and balance the budget will be implemented and will work for America's benefit. He should say:

"The $500 billion question in this election is: Who should have that money, the taxpayer or the government? Do you believe you should keep and spend the money you earn, or do you feel the federal government should take it and spend it?"

-- Patrick J. McGuinness

"Half-Truths Touted As Achievements"

Bob Dole must hold fast to a clear debate plan that refutes the half-truths touted as achievements of the Clinton Administration.

The Clinton list must be met point by point with the truth.

The primary message must be that Americans must not succumb to the pitch of a slick salesman who has replaced the dignity and honor of the office of the president with a marketing mind-set that not only devalues our highest office but replaces substance of achievement with a cynical manipulation of the truth.

Dole must call for America to hold fast to the ideal that our highest office must be reserved for those who champion truth and achievement and he must challenge Americans to fight against our slide into a presidency controlled by spin doctors and market masters.

Someone is needed to continue government reform and restructuring; a lifelong servant of America, not someone who is a servant to political expediency.

-- Jerry Williams

"Liberal Press Will Put A Positive Clinton Spin"

Irregardless of what Dole says or does not say, the liberal press will put a positive Clinton spin on the outcome. Slanted polls will be taken declaring Clinton the winner. About all Dole can do is continue to point out the lies and ineptness of the Clinton Administration, sticking mainly to domestic issues.

-- Russ Roether

"Mud Slinging Is Tacky"

Bob Dole should keep to the issues during the next debate. Bringing up ethics and mud slinging is tacky, and frankly beneath him. Also, it looks like he's so desperate he'll resort to anything. I've always thought of him as decent. If he can't win by discussing issues, then perhaps he should have stayed in the Senate. Don't do it, Mr. Dole.

-- Robert J. Colin

"Gone Unanswered Too Long"

The questions about President Clinton's ethics and character have gone unanswered for too long. I am not saying that Senator Dole should attack Clinton with all he's got, but that Clinton needs to be confronted about them in front of the American people. To often President Clinton has manuevered himself away from this discussion.

-- Trey Cathey

"Off Of Our Backs"

Bob Dole should say:

Let's get the government out of our pockets and off of our backs!

-- Phillip David Mosher

"Like Shooting Ducks In A Bathtub"

Senator Dole should attack Clinton on character....should be like shooting ducks in a bathtub. The issue is where to start?? Alphabetically? Chronologically? By first arrest to last arrest? Longest prison sentence?? If President Reagan was the "Teflon" president, then Clinton is the titanium president; he attracts scandal like a magnet! Never has a president been so corrupt or governed more against the will of the American people. "Fool me twice???" Not this time!!

-- Mickey

"Read My Lips, Bob"

Read my lips, Bob: partial-birth veto, tax hike, rangers in Somalia, partial-birth veto, tax hike, rangers in Somalia, partial-birth veto, tax hike, rangers in Somalia, partial-birth veto, tax hike, rangers in Somalia...

This should have been every speech Dole made since he left the Senate. Who on earth is running this campaign? They must want me to vote Libertarian again...

-- K. Brace

"Cloud Of Scandal"

I think Dole must clearly define the differences between him and the president. I would suggest he hammer three things home:

The cloud of scandal that has hung over the White House for four years: Espy, O'Leary, Hubbell, Brown, Foster, McLarty, Nussbaum, the FBI files, Travelgate, the Foster suicide, McDougal, Jim Guy Tucker, Tyson Foods, commodities trades, the missing billing records, Indonesian $ etc.

The ease with which Clinton deliberately misrepresents the facts -- calling an increase in Medicaid spending a cut etc.

Clinton's attempts to take credit for a reduction in the deficit, yet if the budgets he presented to Congress had passed, the deficit would have been $250 billion. On the other hand, if the Republican budgets had passed, the budget would be balanced in seven years. Also, on this note, I would hammer his opposition to the balanced budget amendment.

I believe the closest parallel to this election is 1972. It is quite possible that an incumbent will win in a sweeping landslide, and not complete his term.

-- Dan Ryan

"Breaking His Word"

Dole should discuss specific anecdotal evidence on how much middle-class taxes have increased over the last four years, how much they would increase with Clinton's Social Security tax and Medicare tax increases, how much the average middle-class taxpayer would pay for Social Security and Medicare over the next several years only to have them disappear from insolvency. He needs to talk about how real estate, owning a principal home, has become the financial demise of many middle-class taxpayers because of contracting property values in various parts of the country. He needs to repeatedly blast Clinton for breaking his word about the middle-class tax cut. He needs to make us take a second and third look at our tax returns over the last four years and really see just how we are doing, how much more we are paying taxes and how ridiculously complicated our current tax system is.

-- Duane Coss

"What He Has Actually Done"

Bob Dole should repeat back to the audience what Clinton said in the 1992 debates, followed by what he has actually done. For example, in 1992 he promised a middle-class tax cut -- only to produce a huge tax increase.

He made other promises and statements regarding the economy being the worst it has been in 30 years, yet now our growth rate is even slower than it was in 1992. He needs to play back Clinton's words and the contradictions. Clinton promised the troops in Bosnia would be home by Christmas -- "NOT." These are just a few examples to show the public they can not believe or count on the things Clinton is saying now.

-- Jim Green

"Why Should We Let Them Dictate"

1) The Democrats had control of Congress for 40 years and education, the environment and crime have deteriorated dramatically. Why should we let them dictate that they are the only party that can improve these three areas when they are responsible for them?

2) Ask Clinton how much (28 cents on a dollar) welfare money goes to recipients. Then ask why he can't offer significant reforms to reduce the bureaucracy while maintaining benefits. If we could double the efficiency to 56 cents, the program could be cut in half while maintaining benefits.

3) The same should be asked for Medicare: "Mr. President, if Al Gore could only cut $100 million from a $1.6 trillion dollar budget, there's no wonder you can't "pay" for the tax cut. You have demonstrated no managerial ability to improve the efficiency of government when the Congress was Democratically controlled. That's why you can't have a tax cut, you don't know how to cut spending while maintaining benefits. Then ask, Do you have any idea how much money actually goes from Medicare to recipients? Let's improve the efficiency and cut the total dollars going in."

4) Specifically ask President Clinton to promise he won't pardon anyone associated with Whitewater.

5) Call for a nationally televised public debates on Medicare, education and the environment before the election. Let's get the tough issues on the table and the smoke screen of lies cleared so the American people can learn what the real choices are.

Thank you,

-- Jim Bonner

"Clinton's Shameless Attempt"

It's been a long road on the campaign trail, and hopefully the public is finally taking some interest in something besides Clinton's Olympics photo ops. Dole should start with Clinton's shameless attempt to destroy Billy Dale and the White House travel office and go from there.

He should bring up that it was Jerry Brown, Democratic contender, that first (prophetically) brought up Whitewater in the '92 election and that at least the American public knew where Jerry Brown stood. He should point out that the Clinton Administration has tried to stonewall every subpoena that has been served on it to try to divert public attention until the public loses interest. He should particularly note that the Clinton tuition tax cut is not effective until 1999 and is to be phased out in 2002 and that is indicative of Clinton deception. Finally, he should point out that an administration that has drug users and crack cocaine users in the White House cannot possibly be taken seriously by the nation's youth.

-- Boyd Venable

"Republicans Are Not Cutting The Medicare Budget"

Some how I would like Dole to get the point across that the Republicans are not cutting the Medicare budget. The Republicans are increasing the budget, but not at the pace the Democrats would like to.

I wish Dole could come up with a real-life example of the government's base line budgeting such as the following:

A married couple with two children planned a trip to Disney World and budgeted to spend $5,000. About two months before the trip the husband lost his job. He came home and told his family the bad news. They were still going on the trip, but now would only spend $4,000 (which they did not have).

This is what the Democrats want to do -- spend money we don't have for the programs.

-- Cheryl Christ

"I'm Not A Polished Politician"

Bob Dole should say:

"I'm not a polished politician. I can't stand here and tell you that I feel your pain with my bottom lip securing the top.... and forefinger and thumb clenched. Don't mistake this for insensitivity. I do care about "you folks" (much better word choice than "American people") much more than you know. The policies I support, the legislation I sign, the platform on which I stand, are all integral parts of providing a foundation that will make this great country even greater.

"You know.....social policies are created in the name of humanity. But, even so, they often do more harm than good. This country needs a leader to challenge the effectiveness of each program. Your government has to insure that your investment in these programs pays for itself by adding to the foundation we strive to complete.

"The choices aren't always obvious. That's why both of us stand here today asking for your trust. But take my word. I am a man of high integrity because I choose to be. My record is clear. You give me the opportunity to bring it to the White House, and I'll give you four productive years rehabilitating the foundation of which I speak here tonight."

It needs some editing obviously, but I'm kind of tired to do it myself. Note that there are no direct attacks on Clinton (except maybe in the first paragraph).

In the shell of a nut, I think he needs to emphasize the esoteric nature of many of these policies (say in a very, very tactful manner that most of these issues are beyond the grasp of the general public and cannot be analyzed in a purely emotional context), and furthermore, since this is the case, emphasize the importance of character. Dole has been battered because he spends a lot of time on the character issue. I think he's done a lousy job relating character to the job. If people understood why character was so important, they would be more receptive to this form of campaigning.

-- Joe Tette

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