In 1986 president bill clinton and republican president ial nominee bob dole debate debater. Twice next their first debate which focused on domestic issues. Jim lehrer moderate at the debate. Good evening from the theater, in connecticut, i am jim lehrer from the news, our on pbs. Welcome to the first of the 1996 president ial debates, between president bill clinton the democratic nominee, and senator bob dole, there were republican nominee. This event has been sponsored by the commission on president ial debates, it will last in 90 minutes, following a format and rules agreed by the campaigns. There will be two minute opening and closing statements. In between, a series of questions. Each having three parts. A 92nd answer a 62nd rebuttal, in a 32nd response. I will assist to candidates in adhering to those time limits, with the help of a series of lights, its about to both. Under their rules, the candidates are not allowed to question each other directly. I will ask the questions, the
How do you i think its difficult. Lets be honest about it, thats why we need Campaign Finance reform. Thats why i reach out to the perot voters. Theyre looking at the republican record. Whatever it is, whatever the check list was in 92, its all done with Campaign Finance reform. I worked with senator mitchell who played me in the debate warmup. We tried six or eight years ago as he appointed three people, i appointed three people to try to get Campaign Finance reform. We couldnt get it done because it wasnt enforceable. You suggested a commission, Newt Gingrich did, i did at least three our four years ago. We sent it to congress to vote it up or down. Thats how it works. Were never going to fix it by the problems because the democrats want a better veg, we want a better advantage as republicans, and thats not how its going to work. I want to touch on the tobacco thing. I want to go back to 1965. That is my first vote against tobacco companies. I said we ought to label cigarettes. I had
There will be twominute opening and closing statements. In between, a series of questions, each having three parts. A 90second answer, a 60second rebuttal, and a 30second response. I will assist the candidates in adhering to those time limits with the help of a series of lights visible to both. Under their rules, the candidates are not allowed to question each other directly. I will ask the questions. There are no limitations on the subjects. The order for everything tonight was determined by coin toss. Now, to the Opening Statements and to president clinton. Mr. President. Pres. Clinton thank you, jim. And thank you to the people of hartford, our hosts. I want to begin by saying again how much i respect senator dole and his record of Public Service and how hard i will try to make this campaign and this debate one of ideas, not insults. Four years ago i ran for president at a time of high unemployment and rising frustration. I wanted to turn this country around with a program of opport
When emilys list first started there were only two women in the u. S. Senate. Now there are 26 of us. You allowed so many more women to hold elected office and that made our nation better. They have the power to make a difference. I want to say thank you to Ellen Malcolm for getting this Party Started and im so appreciative ofyour vision. Thank you for starting an organization that brings women together and making this a better place. To stephanie, i am so grateful for your amazing leadership. You have the ability to see what is possible. Thank you for your courage. We will make sure more women are at the table then ever before. Especially more women of color arerunning for office than when it. Id like to see women like me become elected officials in the us in every corner of this country you helped elect new democratic prochoice women to the congress of the United States. So much has been accomplished in these 35years and so much more needs to be done. In 35 years i want to see women
I was Getting Started myself. Was the year around my First Campaign and i won. Now, there are 26 women in the United States senate. Youve allowed so many more n electedrun, wi office. Woman rr champions. They have the power to make a difference. I want to say thank you for getting this started. I am so appreciative of your vision. Thank you for starting an organization that brings women together. For making this country a better place. Stephanie, i am so grateful for your amazing leadership. You always have the ability to see what is possible. Thank you for your courage. We will make sure more women are at the table than ever before. Especially more women then color women of color are running for office and winning. When i see women who look like me become elected officials all over the United States of america in every corner of this country, you helped elect new, democratic, prochoice women to the United States congress. So much has been accomplished in these 35 years and so much mor