[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 42 (Monday, October 21, 1996)]
[Page 2071]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters in San Diego, California

October 16, 1996

Presidential Debate

    Q. Can you tell us what you're thinking about--[inaudible]--today?
    The President. It's been a long time since I've done one of these 
town halls, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm interested to see what 
the people have on their mind, and I'm looking forward to it. I've done 
my best to prepare. I've still got some reading to do. I'm going to go 
back and do a little work now.
    Q. If Bob Dole goes real negative how are you going to respond to 
that today, Mr. President?
    The President. Well, we're going to respond to the people who are in 
the audience. That's the way this was designed, and we'll just see what 
happens. I'm going to do my best to respond to their questions and to 
talk about what I'm going to do for the next 4 years.

Note: The exchange began at 12:30 p.m. en route to the debate site. A 
tape was not available for verification of the content of this exchange.