Second Debate Lacks Spirit

Candidates Discuss Foreign, Domestic Issues

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The second presidential debate displayed a split personality: the first half a polite conversation about foreign policy, the second half a more pointed series of disagreements over domestic issues.

VIDEO: "I can't promise you that I will never get another detail wrong."

VIDEO: "I apologize, Mr. Vice President."

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But Wednesday's nationally televised conversation was much more tame than last week's debate, with neither candidate showing the flashes of anger that characterized their previous meeting.

Democratic candidate Al Gore criticized Republican George W. Bush's record in Texas in Wednesday night's debate at Wake Forest University, saying Bush blocked hate crimes legislation and presides over a state that ranks last in health insurance for families.

Bush questioned Gore's sincerity about opposing nationalized health care and his economic plan's reliance on targeted tax credits rather than broad tax cuts.

But for the most part, the atmosphere surrounding the evening's 90-minute event seemed more congenial than their first debate in Boston.

Moderator Jim Lehrer kicked off the forum by asking the candidates what they see as the big differences between their views on Middle East policy. Gore stated that he really has not seen a large difference. Bush said that it was "hard to tell" and that he hopes that, if elected, he could handle the situations better than they have been handled.

Gore said that his administration did not see the end of the Gulf War as an actual conclusion of the problems there because Saddam Hussein was not removed from power. He stated that he, as president, would "want to go further." Bush said that he wants "sanctions to be tougher."

Lehrer told the candidates that he counted eight instances within the past 10 years where American troops were involved: Lebanon, Grenada, Somalia, Panama, Persian Gulf, Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo. Lehrer asked each man whether, if he had been president during the event, any of them would have happened.

Gore said that he supported actions in all of those occasions except Lebanon. He said that he "thought it was a mistake."

Gore also said that he did support actions in Somalia at the time but thought it was "ill-considered."

"It was in the previous administration, the Bush-Quayle administration -- and in retrospect, I think the lessons there are ones we should take very, very seriously," Gore said.

Bush said that he believes that Somalia started as a humanitarian mission and then turned into a nation-building mission.

"That is where it went wrong," Bush said.

Bush continued to say that he does not believed American troops should be used in nation-building missions. "I think troops should be used when it is in our best interest," Bush said.

Bush said that he believes that was the same problem with actions in Haiti. He, however, said that he agreed with the other six missions.

Some of the strongest words of the night came on the issue of health insurance. Lehrer asked, "What about the 40 million young people without insurance?" The Texas governor presented a plan that included more community health centers, a rebate for low-income families to use for health insurance and more affordable health care through national assistance.

Gore stated that health care for younger Americans is a top priority of his campaign.

The vice president also said that he would like to see a universal health-care plan but doesn't support increased government control.

Gore then put his opponent on the hot seat, pointing out that Texas ranks 49 out of 50 states in health care for children and women. He also said that Texas ranked 50 in health care for families.

Lehrer asked Bush if the numbers Gore presented were correct.

The Texas Governor did not dispute the numbers but said that his state spends a lot to insure that people in his state have health care.

Bush then went on to point out that although Gore says that he doesn't believe that the government should play a big role in health care, the Clinton and Gore ticket campaigned for big government in health care.

Both men expressed disdain for racial profiling, but disagreed over whether Congress should pass a hate crimes law.

Gore said he supports such a law, saying, "I think these crimes are different," and are based on prejudice and hatred. He then brought up the case of James Byrd, a black man who was dragged to his death by three whites in Jasper, Texas, as an example of why a hate crimes law is needed. He said Bush had blocked a proposed law in the Texas Legislature, even though Byrd's family had urged him to help it become law.

But Bush said he saw no need for such a law.

The state of Texas has a hate crimes law, he said, and "guess what? The three men who murdered James Byrd, guess what's going to happen to them? They're going to be put to death. The jury found them guilty. It's going to be hard to punish them any more after they've been put to death."

The two candidates continued their cordial disagreement when asked about gun control. Gore stood by his plan to require a photo identification for all purchasers of handguns. Bush said he is opposed to it.

One of the most unexpected moments of the night came near the conclusion of the debate, when Gore, who has been dogged by allegations that he embellishes the facts, readily offered a mea culpa after Lehrer raised the issue in a question to Bush. "I can't promise I will never get another detail wrong. I can promise you I will do my best if I'm elected president, I will work by heart out to get it right for the American people," Gore said.

Asked if he was satisfied with the explanation, Bush said, "That's up to the American people, isn't it?"

The third and final televised meeting between the two presidential candidates will be Tuesday night in St. Louis.

Copyright 2001 by NewsNet5. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.