Former Presidential Candidates Clash in Pre-election Debate
By Heather Murphy, 10.28.04

Former Vice President Al Gore and former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole have one thing in common: both lost presidential elections.

While they may consider 2000 and 1996 the most important elections of their careers, they agree that this year’s race may outshine those as the most important for the nation’s future.

With Election Day less than one week away, Gore and Dole recently debated the most critical issues concerning Americans in a lighthearted, but informative exchange. Regent University’s second annual “Clash of the Titans” debate, moderated by Catherine Crier of “Court TV,” sought to answer the question - what’s at stake for America?

The Economy
The economy took center stage with both men endorsing their party’s candidates’ plans to stimulate growth and create more jobs.

Presidential hopeful Senator John Kerry has a more common sense approach to economic issues that will improve upon President George Bush’s record, Gore said. Gore supports tax relief for the middle and lower middle class to stimulate spending and create more jobs.

“New jobs aren’t as good as ones people have lost,” Gore said.

While Dole said there have not been as many new jobs as the Republicans would like, he added that “we’re on the right track.” Dole supports Bush’s tax cut for the wealthiest Americans because that population has lowered unemployment by creating new jobs.

The War
The war in Iraq further divided the men with Dole supporting its effects on foreign policy and Gore warning of the implications of these effects.

Dole used Libya and North Korea as examples of countries that have reconsidered their nuclear programs because of U.S. action in Iraq.

“I gave up a nuclear weapons program because of George Bush,” Dole said Libyan president Momar Kadofi told him in a recent meeting.

In North Korea, the United States is participating in five country talks to end the nuclear threat. According to Dole, sixty countries worldwide are working on proliferation because of Bush’s perseverance of this issue.

“Stick with a president who has demonstrated he can show leadership,” Dole said.

Gore countered that Iraq was not the right target-the real threat was Al Qaeda.

“We made a bad call when shifting focus from someone who attacked us to someone who did not,” Gore said.

Even though Gore admitted that he too believed Iraq harbored stores of chemical and biological weapons before the war, he thought a better course of action would have been to weaken former president Saddam Hussein with containment and sanctions. Also, Gore said there was no exit strategy, which is a disservice to the troops.

Dole countered by explaining that all wars, including this one, are unpredictable.

“There is no certainty,” Dole said.

Gore added that the coalition of U.S. allies in Iraq is crumbling with more countries pulling their troops out. Kerry will provide the international leadership and exit strategy needed to end the conflict, Gore said.

Kerry will “look out in the future and have a clear view and make the right judgment,” Gore said.

Other Issues
Both men agreed that the health care issue should be resolved by a bi-partisan group independent of the federal government. This group should aim for total reform of the system with vulnerable groups having priority.

Although they diverged on how to best handle outsourced jobs, they also agreed that free and fair trade is in the best interest of the country.

The men predictably support opposite sides in the abortion debate, but agreed that it is a highly moral, personal and divisive issue. Even though he is pro-choice, Gore said abortion on demand should not be available. Dole, a pro-life advocate, said that the federal government should not intercede in highly personal matters.

A Personal Touch
Although both were unable to convince the other to endorse their party’s candidate, they did consider opposing points respectfully. The opponents also praised each other’s career accomplishments and joked as to why they both lost their presidential races.

Dole referenced his post-politics stint as endorser in Viagra and Pepsi Super Bowl commercials. He also revealed how he’s been able to pay his bills since his presidential defeat.

“My wife got a job finally,” Dole said, referring to the election of his wife, Senator Elizabeth Dole.

Gore reflected on what he could have done to improve his chances in the 2000 presidential election.

“I would have kissed Tipper longer at the convention,” Gore said.