VP Debate Keeps High Tone

Cheney, Lieberman Discuss Surpluses, Budgets

DANVILLE, Ky., Updated 10:05 a.m. EDT October 6, 2000 -- In a gentlemanly debate, Republican Dick Cheney and Democrat Joseph Lieberman conveyed their messages, while disagreeing on a number of issues.

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The kindler, gentler candidates lasted about 20 minutes, when Cheney questioned the Democrats plan for economic plans.

Lieberman said that Republicans wanted to "raid the Medicare trust fund to pay for their tax cuts."

Cheney, meanwhile, said that there was more than enough money to go around, and it is "totally reasonable" to give relief to all taxpayers. The argument that "somehow ... all of it is going to tax cuts isn't true," Cheney said of the huge surpluses forecast over the next decade.

The two candidates attempted to stay positive during their 90-minute debate at Centre College.

The themes mirrored Tuesday's presidential debate, although both candidates appeared more relaxed than Democratic nominee Al Gore and Republican nominee George W. Bush were just 48 hours earlier.

CHENEY VS. LIEBERMAN Vice presidential candidates debated Oct. 5 in Danville, Ky. A Mild Night Protest DISCUSSION: Did Debate Make A Difference? DICK CHENEY Republican vice presidential nominee Born 1941 Aide to President Nixon, 1969-'73 Congressman from Wyoming, 1979-'89 Defense Secretary under President Bush, 1989-'92 Oil executive, '95-2000 JOSEPH LIEBERMAN Democratic vice presidential nominee Born 1942 Connecticut legislator, attorney general, 1970-'88 Author U.S. Senator, 1988-present; seeking re-election this year. Chairman of centrist Democratic Leadership Council, 1995-present THIRD PARTIES Excluded under rules of Presidential Debates Commission Reform: Ezola Foster Libertarian: Art Olivier Other Minor Parties Green: Winona LaDuke

Both Lieberman and Cheney expressed their differences over the way the U.S. military was being handled. Cheney said that the military's morale is down. "If you have a friend or relative serving in the U.S. military, you know there is a problem," Cheney said.

Lieberman responded by saying that the U.S. military is ready to face any possible conflict.

"This is the most powerful military in the world today and the history of the world and Vice President Gore and I will keep it that way."

Thursday's debate was the only scheduled event between the vice presidential candidates.

Both vowed not to personally attack their competitor.

"I promise not to bring up your singing," Cheney said to Lieberman, drawing laughter from his rival.

"And I promise not to sing," Lieberman responded.

Pointing to a strong economy, Lieberman said that most people would say they are better off then they were eight years ago. "I am pleased to see from the newspapers that you're better off than you were eight years ago, too," he said to Cheney, a reference to the multimillion dollar separation package the former oil services company executive received when he left to join the GOP ticket.

"And I can tell you, Joe, that the government had nothing to do with it," Cheney said.

Lieberman joked that his wife wanted him to join the private sector.

"Well, I'm going to try to help you do that, Joe," Cheney said.

"No, I think you've done so well there I want to keep you there."

Both men echoed comments made Tuesday night by the presidential candidates when the topic turned to RU-486, an abortion pill recently approved by the government for use in the United States.

Cheney said that the Food and Drug Administration had already acted, and the only issue was whether the drug was safe. He said he and Bush are "pro-life," and the Texas governor would look for ways to "reach across the divide to reduce abortion."

Lieberman signaled his support for the FDA decision, and said that there were fundamental differences between the two tickets on abortion.

"Al Gore and I will respect a woman's right to choose. And our opponents will not," he said.

Gore and Bush have two presidential debates before them, on Wednesday in Winston-Salem, N.C., and Oct. 17 in St. Louis.

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