THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610060044
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: LAWRENCE MADDRY
LENGTH: 67 lines
Polls show that Americans are turned off by personal insults, which explains why both Dole and Clinton - who are not exactly in love with each other - have been frustrated while preparing for tonight's televised debates.
It has taken weeks to remove some of the more personal references from the scripted remarks of both candidates. Dole was said to be especially miffed that advisers removed the phrase ``scum-sucking weasel'' from his concluding comments.
Dole's handlers are also worried about their candidate's tendency to refer to the president as ``Blimpo,'' as he did several times during mock debates.
Clinton advisers have had their problems, too. They fear their man will let his anger at Dole show during the televised debates and appear less than presidential.
The president is still smoldering because of Dole's put-down of Hillary's book ``It Takes a Village'' at the Republican National Convention. And Clinton's anger shows.
Aides were reportedly shocked when the president repeatedly referred to his Dole stand-in as ``the village idiot.''
Dole views Clinton as a smirking, self-righteous, philandering, flip-flopping, druggie-coddling, crony of Arkansas felons, with the backbone of a sponge.
This is also the view of many Americans, few of whom seem to care as long as the entitlement checks keep coming and Clinton positions himself as the last line of defense against Newt Gingrich.
Clinton would prefer to debate Newt Gingrich, even though the Speaker of the House's approval rating has climbed in recent weeks. Gingrich is said to be giddy over the news that he is several percentage points ahead of the Unabomber and at least five points better than Saddam Hussein.
Former presidential adviser Paul Begala reportedly has urged Clinton to be polite to Dole while savaging Gingrich, possibly mentioning the House speaker's new book about children. Begala says it will be titled ``It Takes An Orphanage.''
Book references are regarded as risky because they are vulnerable to counter-attack. For instance, Dole aides feel that it would be inappropriate to accuse Clinton of promoting the foot-fetish affair between former political adviser Dick Morris and a prostitute.
But they think it's possible to introduce the sleaze issue by noting that the title of Morris's new book will be ``It Takes a Pedicure.'' Dole has turned thumbs down on the book reference because his current strategy is to portray Clinton as a liberal.
Insiders say he may, instead, ask whether Americans want ``a crowd of toe-sucking liberals in the White House.'' His handlers believe this will pass muster as fair comment.
Those closest to Clinton have two concerns about his performance. They feel the president has a tougher job because of his reputation as an excellent debater. Polls show the public expects the president to win the debate handily. If he does not it works in Dole's favor.
Clinton advisers are also nervous because of gaffes the president has made in the past - talking about his underwear or how he failed to inhale while trying a marijuana joint. Signs have been posted where Clinton has rehearsed saying ``DO NOT DROP TROUSERS'' and ``AVOID REFERENCES TO `JOINT ENTERPRISES,' `JOINT INITIATIVES,' OR `JOINT SESSIONS OF CONGRESS!' ''
On the other hand, Dole's advisers don't worry that their man will fall on his face while on the podium. He's already done that once, literally. And he got a bump in the polls afterward - a sympathy vote. His handlers have advised Dole to do a full-gainer into the audience if things go badly tonight.
``Why not?'' one of his advisers asked. ``It's been his best move in the campaign so far.'' by CNB