A Clash of Humor: The Dole/Gore Debate
By Jessica Dorian, 10.28.04

The “Clash of the Titans” debate between former Vice President Al Gore and Former Senator Bob Dole was recently hosted at Regent University.

The debate was expected to be a heated exchange centered on the presidential election. Everyone was pleasantly surprised.

We know what issues these men differ on. When you think about Gore’s political reputation, the Clinton administration comes to mind: more socialized health care, women’s choice in abortion situations, tax, tax, tax and then, oh wow look at that—a budget surplus!

Dole is a conservative. And his wife, Elizabeth is a conservative senator for North Carolina. He stands for tax relief and has the reputation in the senate of fighting for a balanced budget and clearing the clutter that gets in the way.

But what do these two have in common, besides both being presidential candidates who didn’t make it to the White House?

A sense of humor.

While I was sitting in the audience waiting for the debate to start, I heard the reporter next to me telling her friend that she wasn’t looking forward to being there two hours because both men can be so monotone. Well, for such boring deliveries, she sure laughed a whole lot.

Her surprise was similar to that of most people in the room. I spoke with one woman after the debate.

“I was surprised at how personable both of the men seemed,” she said. “They’re the kind of people that you would want to have over for dinner and hear what they have to say.”

I would agree to some extent. But I know what both of them would say on a majority of issues. What was interesting and enjoyable about this debate was the civilized and down to earth manner in which they discussed issues.

Much thanks for the debate’s pleasant atmosphere goes to the moderator, Catherine Crier, an extremely accomplished individual. Among other things, she is the youngest state judge ever to be elected in Texas.

Crier adjusted the debate format at times to allow more discussion on an issue, and when the men started going over time she reeled them back in. She also added to the humor element. She had a lively personality and a quick wit.

The exchanges between Gore and Dole were extremely amusing. But--and I’m sure that this opinion will be construed as conservative bias-- I think that Gore fed more off of Dole’s humor than the other way around.

In any other situation Gore would not be quite as funny. And I base that on the times I’ve witnessed him speak. This was my first encounter at a prolonged speaking engagement by Dole, and I have to say that he is the only politician that I’d label with a winning sense of self-deprecating humor.

The men ended the debate with a plug for people to vote on November 2. So many probably left with that thought in the back of their minds. But I had filled out my absentee ballot two weeks ago, so I left the debate pondering which of Dole’s bestsellers to buy the next day – “Great Presidential Wit, I Wish I Was In The Book,” or “Great Political Wit, Laughing (Almost) All the Way to the White House.”