ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 9, 1996 TAG: 9610090013
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Cal Thomas
SOURCE: CAL THOMAS
I LISTENED to the presidental debate on the radio so I could focus on substance and not be distracted by President Clinton's love affair with the camera or Bob Dole's telegenically challenged demeanor.
Dole did well, and in that sense he won, because expectations for his performance had been so low.
In opening remarks, when both men had a chance to set the tone and agenda, Clinton flawlessly hit each of his campaign themes. He took credit for 100,000 more police officers on the streets, though only 15,000 have been seen. He brazenly claimed responsibility for tax cuts, even though his tax hike was larger than any other president's in history.
Dole opened soft, introducing family and a friend. He stated his themes in response to a question about the role of the federal government. Clinton answered with a litany of legislation and programs he favors. Dole's rebuttal was good but could have been better. He said the president trusts the government, but he (Dole) trusts the individual.
He might have noted what James Madison said about the limited role of the federal government: ``The powers delegated by the proposed constitution to the federal government are few and defined.'' Or, since Clinton has become a faux Republican, Dole might have paraphrased John Kennedy's line about not asking what your country can do for you, but what you can do for yourself. Government is far less effective than individuals who make right decisions for themselves and their families.
Clinton praised a stupid new law for a 48-hour hospital stay after a woman has a baby. That may sound compassionate, but some women may need to stay longer and others with normal deliveries might be able to go home sooner. Why should politicians without medical training make a one-size-fits-all decision for every mother?
Dole did well when he spoke of what his proposed 15 percent tax-cut would do, putting enough of our money back in our pockets to allow families to notice. He said $1,261 a year for a family of four making $30,000 was enough to purchase four or five months of day care, buy a personal computer or make three or four months of mortgage payments.
As expected, Clinton responded that we can't afford it. Here was Dole's chance for a strong statement along these lines: ``It's our money, not yours, and we can afford it if Democrats stop spending our money as if it were their money.'' But he let it pass.
Dole did get a clear shot at trial lawyers, the Hollywood elite and big labor, which, he noted, has ponied up $35 million in ``soft money'' to influence close congressional races. But Clinton responded with a story about a child who was killed when his school bus was hit by a drunken driver. He said the family would not have been able to recover damages from the uninsured driver if he had signed a Republican tort reform measure.
And so it went throughout the 90 minutes. In baseball parlance, Dole got on base, maybe even hit a double. But he needed a home run - and he didn't get it. What happened to the dramatic announcement that had been widely rumored - perhaps that he would resign if he didn't follow through on his promise of a tax cut, or that Colin Powell would be his secretary of state or defense?
Yes, Bob Dole was introduced to a lot of voters who don't really know him. Yes, he used humor to his advantage. And, yes, people were reassured that Dole in his latest incarnation is not the nasty man he seemed to be during the 1976 vice presidential debate. But, as the television set revealed (I watched it on tape after hearing it on radio), in the style contest, it wasn't even close. Clinton is the master of style over substance.
Dole's final comment - ``I know who I am and I know where I'm from, and I know where I want to take America'' - was a good line. The problem is that Clinton tells us what we want to hear. Though his record shows his ``ideas in motion'' promises cannot be trusted, a majority appear willing to vote for him anyway.
The debate was probably a draw. With less than a month to go before the election, if Dole has a secret weapon, now is the time to use it. Otherwise, forget the inaugural address and start working on the concession speech.
- Los Angeles Times Syndicate
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS PRESIDENTby CNB