Candidates Square off in First Presidential Debate

Meeting at the first in a series of three televised presidential debates, candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore answered moderator Jim Lehrer's questions, which ranged from inquiries about social security to the state of the U.S. military's readiness and morale. Gore consistently attacked Bush's tax cut plan, which he claims will see Bush spending more on a tax cut for the country's wealthiest 1% than on bolstering social security. Bush countered by claiming that Gore was using "fuzzy math" to back such claims and that his tax cut plan helps all Americans, including the poor.

Further points of contention surrounded social security, with Bush favoring a partial privatization plan that would allow the nation's workforce to invest part of their social security savings in the stock market, thus gaining more than the paltry 2% rate of return under the current system. Gore countered that such a proposal would bankrupt the depression-era fund and that he would place social security in a "lock box."

The first debate should prove a precursor of things to come, and ended with Bush's references to Gore's connection to the current administration, which has been badly tainted by the infidelity of President Clinton and fund raising techniques that have come under fire from Republicans and Democrats alike. In response, Gore noted that "I think we ought to attack our country's problems, not attack each other." The next debate is scheduled for October 11 and will take place in Winston-Salem, NC, while the final debate will be held on October 17 in St. Louis.