Now, president bush. About 30 seconds we will be going on the air. In about 30 seconds we will be going on the air. Good evening, welcome to the first of three debates among the major candidates for president of the United States, sponsored by the commission on president ial debates. The candidates are independent candidate ross perot, governor bill clinton, the democratic nominee, and president george bush, republican nominee. I am jim lehrer and i will be the moderator for this 98 minute event, taking place before an audience here in the Athletic Complex on the campus of Washington University in st. Louis, missouri. Three journalists will be asking questions tonight. They are john mack she of the boston globe, and compton, and sandra van ocher. A format agreed to by representatives of the clinton and bush campaigns. That agreement contains no restrictions on the content or subject matter of the questions. Each candidate will have up to two minutes for a closing statement. The order o