10/05/2000
The 'real' Al Gore
The real Al Gore came through loud and clear Tuesday night. He was unbelievably condescending and arrogant with his usual Washington doublespeak and contemptuous sighing while George W. Bush was speaking. He frequently interrupted both Mr. Bush and moderator Jim Lehrer. In doing so, Mr. Gore was allowed to dominate the time of the debate with his tiresome diatribe of attempting to pit the working class against the rich. Mr. Gore, the American public can see through your facade.
BOB NEAL, Dallas
Gore skillful
After watching the debates I get tired of listening to the pundits analyzing this and analyzing that and basically overanalyzing everything. The one that really gets me are those who criticize Al Gore for being overbearing, swaggering or acting like a cocky debater. I'm not exactly sure what their complaint is.
Yes, Mr. Gore is good at debating. Should he apologize for that? It's almost like a baseball player who hits 60 home runs. If he is good at hitting home runs should he apologize for it? Maybe he should apologize for not hitting 70.
GAYLARD FRENCH, Waxahachie
Sealed my vote
Reflecting upon the message from each side in the presidential debate Tuesday night, what I heard from the two front-runners was about more government intrusion into our health services, more government intrusion into our schools, more government intrusion into our retirement, more government intrusion into our finances, even more government intrusion into the birth process. It helped me make up my mind. I'll vote for Harry Browne and other Libertarians because they are the only party that wants government out of our lives.DAVID KOCH, Plano
Bush the winner!
George W. Bush was the winner! Al Gore was his wordy, usual plastic-headed self. As a woman, I love George W.'s grin he kinda reminds me of Paul Newman. It was good to hear him say that he did not think we should be the police for the entire world. Maybe that translates into the fact that he will not have our boys halfway around the world, bombing some little country every time he has a crisis at the White House.But I know the talking heads will put him down.
PAULINE HILL, Grand Prairie
Choice is clear
After watching the debate Tuesday night, the choice seems to be between allowing big oil companies and HMOs to run the country if we elect George W. Bush; or paying down the national debt, preserving wilderness areas, finding alternate fuel sources, improving and securing Medicare and Social Security if we elect Al Gore.Although I have traditionally voted Republican, according to the opinion poll I conducted with the person in the mirror this morning, the candidate of choice is clearly Al Gore this year.
DONNA BELL, Dallas
Winnebago math
Some little old lady is so poor she has to pick up cans to pay for her prescriptions, but she has enough money for a Winnebago and can afford to pay for the gas (at today's gas prices in a gas guzzler that probably gets substantially less that 10 miles per gallon) to drive all the way to the debate to see Al Gore. Maybe Al should set up classes for seniors like her to teach them how to better budget their money.JUDITH WALDROP, Dallas
'Fuzzy math'
I have been listening to the first presidential debate between Al Gore and George W. Bush. Each time I hear Mr. Bush refer to the fuzzy math being used by Mr. Gore I am reminded of another presidential candidate who used a similar approach when attacking the opposition's positions. Anyone remember George Sr.'s voodoo economics ?No wonder the Bush handlers were downplaying George W's debating skills. To my ear, Mr. Gore won the first round. Did anyone count how many times Mr. Bush used the phrase fuzzy math ?
S.J. OLSEN, North Richland Hills
Bush has a brain
I've just finished watching the presidential debates. It would seem that George W. Bush telepathically took my advice: Be yourself and only tell the truth (two things of which Al Gore is seemingly incapable).Much to the dismay of the media, Gov. Bush has a brain and he used it, quite well.
SCOTT MORRIS, Grand Prairie
Where's A's game?
Last night I looked at my schedule for the evening TV lineup to determine who would be broadcasting the series I have been looking forward to. I saw that NBC would be broadcasting the Athletics/Yankees series. I was elated because they always do a great job.So I get settled in after a quick dinner and was all set for baseball. But it never came. All I got was some news documentary and the presidential debate. Excuse me but my cable carries seven other stations broadcasting the exact same debate.
Then I learn that NBC gave its local affiliates the option of whether or not to carry the baseball game or the debate (that was carried on seven other stations on my cable). Good thing we have ESPN radio or I would missed what countless other Americans got to watch: baseball playoffs in October.
By the way, I happened to be taping the debates (on one of the seven other stations carrying the debate on my cable). I fully intend to watch them. But I believe in choice of programming and I do have the capability of programming my own VCR.
Will I watch future debates? Most definitely ... on one of the seven other stations carrying them on my cable.
MICHAEL GOODKNIGHT, Plano
Gore the boor
As a previously undecided voter, I found Al Gore's behavior during the first debate with George W. Bush appalling. During many of Gov. Bush's answers, Mr. Gore sighed heavily into the microphone, rolled his eyes, shook his head, made hand gestures, and made any number of other pantomimes which appeared geared at garnering attention for himself and away from the content of Gov. Bush's answers. He seldom let Gov. Bush finish his answer without interrupting and demanding that Jim Lehrer allow him to respond. He verbally ran over both Mr. Lehrer and Gov. Bush.What was he afraid of? That we would actually listen to Gov. Bush? No matter how many times Gov. Bush explained clearly his proposed tax cut, Vice President Gore misinterpreted and skewed the numbers.
His nonverbal behavior was reminiscent of the obnoxious adolescent bully who fears being exposed for what he really is. His refusal to listen to and understand what Gov. Bush was saying is not the kind of leadership and cooperation with Congress I look forward to. We've had that kind of contentiousness for eight years. We need a president who can work with Democrats and Republicans alike and get the work done. Incidentally, isn't that what Gov. Bush has done in Texas?
Thank you, Al Gore, for helping me make up my mind. And shame on Mr. Gore for his complete lack of professional respect for his political opponent.
DENISE STILZ, Addison
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