Plenty Of Opinions

The final debate is history, and the only judgment that counts is yours. We got a slew of e-mail and here's a sample. If you have a comment on the debate or anything else, let us know by sending e-mail to editor@AllPolitics.com

"Clinton Was The Winner"

I enjoyed watching the debates. I watched this one, and the others, with members of my family. We all agreed President Clinton was the winner of this debate and the earlier one in Hartford.

The president's responses were full of ideas, specific proposals and information. He showed that he is knowledgeable and concerned, and did not waste our time with ridiculous insults.

Senator Dole lacked focus. He was the one who could not put forth any ideas. Instead of using his time to respond to the people and their questions, he did everything he could to work in his, obviously, pre-planned ridicule and mud-slinging.

If Senator Dole's pollsters and experts can't figure it out, he should fire them and hire some of the folks in that audience. They would tell him to drop the Gingrich ideology and respond to them and their needs and concerns.

Mr. Dole's standing owes to the fact that ordinary people can clearly see that his pat answer to everything is to just trust the Republicans to handle everything. He has not yet, and probably never will, figure out that the people are just too smart and well informed to believe him.

Sincerely,

-- Rich Barrell

"How Can We Believe What Mr. Clinton Says?"

I think Mr. Dole did more than "hold his own ground" during last night's debate. How can we believe what Mr. Clinton says anymore? None of us ever got that middle-class tax cut promised during the last election. None of us will get this new one he's promising either. Yes, you can cut taxes across the board and not blow a hole in a deficit. How, you ask? Cut spending. Just like the American people have to do when we can't afford to do what they want. Investment spurs growth. Not government. It's time the American people wake up and listen to Dole/Kemp, and quit following these slick salesmen who will promise us anything for our vote and only deliver more debt and a more restrictive federal government.

-- Frank Mortan

"Full Of The Same Political Garbage"

Both Dole and Clinton were full of the same political garbage we've heard every time elections come around. As a college student I'm looking for something new because the system now is not working and will not be working in the future if this continues. I think it's a shame that there are candidates on ballots in all 50 states and most Americans have no clue who they are or what they represent. Many say this is because third-party candidates "have no chance." They don't have a chance because they aren't lucky enough to be part of the media force-feeding that occurs in this country. The media (except for 40 minutes on "Larry King Live") has almost completely ignored the third-party candidates. Last night I wore a handmade T-shirt that said "Harry Browne (Libertarian) For President" to a political forum at my university. Most people had no clue who he was. This is due to the media and I'll blame them for keeping this so-called Democratic process suppressed. As a journalism student I hope to change the way media works and give everybody who is running for president equal time on all media outlets.

-- Marc Pearson, Troy, Ala.

"Marginally Better"

The second debate between Dole and Clinton was marginally better, but it again failed to include the Reform party and hence was biased. The people have a right to view ALL candidates in ACTIVE debate on the issues. The two debates shown to the American people via the national media have not been representative of the true diversity represented by the three parties actively involved in this campaign. Instead of concentrating on stories regarding ownership of ponies in Scotland, or the birth of Madonna's baby, the media needs to refocus on the more serious, high-impact issues of the campaign such as integrity, true progress on eradicating the national debt, and campaign finance corruption. At least Ross Perot, a millionare in his own right, is playing by the rules; however, he is being shut out of the race because of it.

-- Doug Bragg

"Who To Blame"

I would think that the major question and fear to come out of this debate would be who to blame for the audience not caring about character and very poor ethics. Maybe it is the parents or maybe it's the Department of Education. This is their agenda -- no absolute right or wrong. So it looks like they have been successful; we have arrived at their utopia! Pretty lousy, huh? It's only going to get worse.

-- Rick

"Sticking To The Issues"

I realize that as a candidate, you must make yourself (your campaign) the better prospect...but, why must Dole stretch an answer to a question so far that 1) he can throw in an "ethical attack" and 2) the question barely gets answered.

I applaud President Clinton on sticking to the issues, and as many political analysts have pointed out, we are not interested in a sparring match. I and many of my friends are interested in the issues that hit home.

-- Chris Cruze, Virginia Beach, Va.

"Some Of The Questions That Should Have Been Asked"

These are some questions that should have been asked in the second debate:

President Clinton, being in the Armed Services, how can we look up to our Commander-in-Chief when he has dodged the draft himself?

President Clinton, why did all of the "positive" items implemented toward the end of your least term? An example: welfare reform.

President Clinton, you said that Mr. Dole is too old fashioned? I am under 25 and I feel we need "old fashioned values." Our best presidents have had "old fashioned values."

President Clinton, what would your economic plan do for me?

I am 22 years old and I am from Pennsylvania. I feel that without some serious changes our country will continue to go downhill.

-- Bill

"Keep Reporters Out Of The Questioning"

I appreciated the "town meeting" forum more than the "podium" type. If part of the problem with politics is the media, then we should keep "reporters" out of the questioning. The "people" are not necessarily politically correct...they will ask about issues that concern "them," not the candidates or reporters. They really want "answers." My suggestion would be to increase the time each candidate has to answer the question, and to allow a follow-up.

I also agree with many comments that Clinton and Dole are so rehearsed in their political "mantra" that they never really say anything that we haven't been hearing for four years. This is the main reason I would like to see the third-party candidates in the debates. Not only would they be able to get their ideas before the public, they might actually force the two major parties' candidates to respond as persons rather than political "automatons spewing politically correct rhetoric." The two parties have tried to convince us for years that they have all the answers and that any party with a different idea is "fringe." As with any "government program," there are "unintended consequences": the growing number of disenchanted voters, third-party candidates and negative campaigns. Politicians know they have talked us to death and said nothing, so now they talk the other guy to death and are still saying nothing. Let's PLEASE HEAR SOME NEW TALK...let's open up the political system before this great republic becomes null and void.

Thank you.

-- Susan

"They Chose To Sidestep"

I was disappointed to see that the candidates were asked TWO direct questions about lesbian and gay rights and they chose to sidestep the questions. The GOP has used equal rights for gay Americans as a wedge issue in this campaign, just as they used civil rights for African Americans as a wedge issue for the last 40 years. I was disappointed that neither candidate had the guts to defend his position and seemed to treat the issue as Ross Perot's proverbial "skunk at the garden party."

-- P.D. Wadler, Chicago, Ill.

"Logic Will Lose"

How can the American people possibly vote for Bill Clinton again? He avoided the topics of "filegate" and other scandals because he knows he is guilty in the "roast" by Bob Dole. I guess this is history repeating itself....remember Nixon? Could it be the American people are ready for another disgrace that will take years to heal? Logic will lose in the case of the re-election of "Der SlickMeistre"!

-- Phil Davis, Temple, Texas

"The Most Substantive...Yet"

Last night's debate was the most substantive, informative, and interesting one yet! It was truly fun to watch and I can only hope that the parties can get more of this type of debate together in the future.

I would have to say, as an independent, that Bob Dole will not be getting my vote this year. He was more aggressive this time around but did not do anything to make me want to switch my vote. On the contrary, he said several things that make me worry.

First, when he refused to admit that he didn't know if cigarettes were addictive because he "was not a doctor," I almost fell off my chair laughing! Bob, c'mon, buddy! How could he say that with a straight face and then question who is getting campaign contributions that affect policy! Welcome to the Dole/Kemp/Phillip Morris campaign headquarters! His refusal to say that cigarettes were addictive to a man who had quit after 30 years was an insult to my intelligence.

Second, his (and Clinton's) blatant attempt to woo California voters was offensive. There are 49 other states, by my count, who are also greatly affected by government policy. They have the next two weeks to tour California and try to get the votes.

Lastly, and this was an ongoing problem for Dole all night: It was most evident in the last question asked. When a minister got up and asked about Dole's comment on "separate rights" for gay and lesbians, Clinton refused to interpret what Dole had said and instead restated his belief that the Declaration of Independence and The Bill of Rights were for all people, no matter their beliefs. Dole stepped up said something to the effect of, "No discrimination, rights for everybody...whatever" and then launched into some attack on Clinton's foreign policy. What happened to the question!!??!! He blatantly disregarded what the woman had asked and had tried to turn it into another attack on Clinton's character. He had done the same thing when asked a question on his opinion of religion and its role in the presidency. Instead of answering the question, he went after the president on the FBI files, campaign contributions, etc... but he never answered the question.

When Dole chose to ignore very direct questions to try to attack the president, he lost me and many other independents as well. To get our votes he must stick to the issues that were put to him by regular citizens. He chose not to do that in order to promote his own agenda. That made him look petty and made his campaign look as if they do not care about the concern of average citizens.

Another thing, doesn't the Dole/Kemp ticket hold the record for fines and jail time when it comes to illegal campaign contributions? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

Thanks!

-- Rick Smith

"Dole Did What Needed To Be Done"

Last night Sen. Dole did what needed to be done with regard to the issue of character and who we should trust to lead our great nation. I say there is no comparison in the leadership qualities of these two men. Dole stands in a class of those who can be respected and trusted. If the American people were truly informed regarding the issues they would realize that there is only one choice for president, Bob Dole!

-- J. Bradley

Voter's Voice Archives

AllPolitics home page