[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12240-S12241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HARTFORD PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, this coming Sunday, the eyes of 75 to 80 
million Americans will be squarely focused on the city of Hartford and 
the State of Connecticut as they host the first Presidential debate of 
the 1996 campaign between President Clinton and Senator Dole.
  For Hartford and the people of my home State of Connecticut the 
unique opportunity to host this debate is both a great honor and a 
significant economic and cultural shot in the arm. I salute all those 
in the Hartford community who have played integral roles in bringing 
the Presidential candidates to our capital city.
  In particular, I want to commend the Bank of Boston, Phoenix Home 
Life Mutual Insurance, Trinity College, and Southern New England 
Telephone played critical roles as the four founding sponsors of the 
debate.
  In addition, Daniel Papermaster, who has labored tirelessly to bring 
a Presidential debate to Hartford, deserves

[[Page S12241]]

special praise. Without his persistent efforts, this debate would never 
have become a reality.
  For Hartford, the Presidential debate provides a remarkable 
opportunity to give the city a much needed boost of civic and community 
pride.
  Certainly, no one would disagree that our city has seen rough times 
of late. And, the debate's impact on our community will be sizable.
  It's estimated that the event may pump as much as 4 to 5 million 
dollars into the local economy.
  What's more, 2,500 journalists from around the world will be 
descending on Hartford and will, in many cases, have their first 
opportunity to see the sights, meet the people, and experience the 
hospitality of our Connecticut and Hartford.
  Most of all though, the coming Presidential debate is sparking a 
renewed sense of community spirit that will live on long after our 
visitors have said goodbye Sunday night or Monday morning when they 
leave the State.
  But, as proud a moment as this is for the people of Connecticut it is 
also a critically important one for our Nation's future and our 
political process.
  In our political process, there are few events as singular and unique 
as Presidential, and Vice-Presidential, debates.
  Since these are the only two elected offices on which all 265 million 
Americans cast their ballot, Presidential and Vice-Presidential debates 
provide the American people a platform and context for choosing not 
just a political leader, but a governing philosophy for America's 
future.
  Now, as every Member of this body knows, our Nation has a long and 
proud history of political debate.
  More than 200 years ago, our founding fathers gathered in 
Philadelphia to debate, discuss and finally establish what they 
believed to be a ``more perfect union.'' Some 80 years later our 
Nation's greatest leaders gathered for some of the most storied and 
significant oration in American history.
  From the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 to the famous Breckinridge/
Baker Senate debate of 1861, which one commentator called ``perhaps the 
most dramatic scene that ever took place in the Senate Chamber'' 
American leaders intensely pondered the issue of slavery and the future 
of a divided nation.
  In 1960, this proud legacy entered the TV age with the Nixon/Kennedy 
debates which set the stage for one of the most closely contested 
elections in our Nation's history and for the past 20 years, 
Presidential debates have become an autumnal tradition--an opportunity 
for voters to not only listen to the views of the Presidential 
candidates, but to come together as a nation and as a people, 
participating in America's vibrant political discourse.
  Debates are so enshrined in our political process that for a 
significant portion of the American electorate they are the most 
important source of information for making their decisions on election 
day.
  The events of this Sunday will be no different. If anything, they may 
be even more significant.
  President Clinton and Senator Dole meet in Hartford against the 
backdrop of great technological and social change in our Nation. What's 
more, both men come to this debate with very different proposals and 
divergent beliefs for the future.
  On Sunday night, when the American people gather around their 
televisions, they will witness not simply a competition of candidates, 
but a contest of ideas.
  That contest of ideas will be waged by two men who may be among the 
most skilled debaters in American politics.
  I have heard a great deal of talk in the past few weeks about our 
former colleague's supposed lack of rhetorical skill. Even the 
candidate himself has intimated that he lacks the oratorical ability to 
be on the same stage with President Clinton and that by just showing up 
in Hartford he would in fact be the victor.
  Mr. President, I served in this Chamber for 16 years with Bob Dole. I 
have great admiration for him as a person and as a public official, and 
I have even higher admiration for his debating skills. Republicans are 
certainly not talking about someone I am familiar with when they 
suggest that Bob Dole lacks the ability to debate an opponent. In my 
time here as a Member of this body, I have never ceased to be impressed 
by Bob Dole's debating skills. He is a smart and experienced debater, 
who understands public policy issues as well, as any Member that I have 
encountered in public life. What is more, he has been a candidate for 
national office four times, once for the Vice Presidency and three 
times for President. He weathered a difficult and trying debate season 
in the Republican primaries. All told, he has held 13 debates with 
other candidates for national office.
  I should also point out he was the chairman of the Republican 
National Committee back in 1972. Having held a similar position in my 
own party these past 2 years, I know how difficult that job can be, 
because of the numerous times that you must debate your opponents. In 
fact, one might wonder if it is Bob Dole and not Bill Clinton who has 
the advantage coming into Sunday's debate given the tremendous 
experience that our former colleague, who served in Congress for 35 
years and for many years as minority and majority leader, has in 
rhetorical skills.
  If anything, the American people should be extremely grateful to 
witness a debate between two candidates with such evenly matched 
debating skills and a similar understanding of the issues.
  Not for a second do I doubt Senator Dole's ability to debate on a 
level playing field with President Clinton. If anything, I think his 
troubles will come more from trying to defend his economic policies and 
his votes against the Brady bill, family leave, and in support of 
cutting Medicare, Medicaid, education, and the environment. But that is 
another story. Certainly all of us look forward to the world tuning 
into Hartford, CT, on Sunday night to witness the first Presidential 
debate of the season, and we wish both of our candidates well in that 
process.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. KERRY addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Ashcroft). The Senator from Massachusetts 
is recognized.
  Mr. KERRY. I thank the Chair.

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