alternatehistory.com
1st Presidential Debate
1st Presidential Debate
University of Massachussetts, Boston
October 3rd, 2000
The first Presidential debate was on, tens of millions tuned in as the candidates slowly shuffled in. Mr. Trump first shook the hand of Vice-President Al Gore, as Gore then shook the hand of Governor Bush and finally Bush shook the hand of Mr. Trump. It was polite and cordial, but the debate would prove to be far different...
The first question was directed to Mr. Trump, asking if he was a serious candidate and could break through and win as a third party candidate. Trump was somewhat irritated, this was the hundredth time he had been posed this question, but responded that no vote was ever wasted and contrasted his very different vision for the country with Bush and Gore's almost identical platforms.
The next question was to Bush, on the issue of healthcare. Bush talked about his plans to go across state lines, but then threw some red meat to his base when he went on the offensive against Trump. Attacking him as an out of touch liberal, comparing him to Al Gore and ridiculing his universal healthcare proposal, Bush nevertheless stayed away from a "New York values" type gaffe.
Trump attacked back Bush tenfold and savaged him and his record as Governor. He also had this to say...
Trump also used the oppurtunity to take a swipe at Gore, saying that "if we are going to have healthcare reform, it's gotta be universal."
The next subject was the budget. Gore used this to highlight his record and how Democrats had balanced the budget. However, he also used this to attack Trump, criticizing his policies to increase spending and cut taxes as reckless. Trump, rather than remain on the defensive, went on the offensive against "Bore" and said that the Democrats' policies were unsustainable. Trump defended his record as a businessman, and said his policies would create jobs and encourage growth while eventually paying down the debt.
While Gore was the "safe" option, Trump has definitely proven he was the "change" candidate and appealed to a lot of independents. Meanwhile, Bush did not do as well, mired in several gaffes and vague responses.
However, Bush had appealed to and energized the base, while Gore had deflated the excitement of the liberal base with his "safe" answers. Gore had won over some moderates, but by alienating his base he had set himself up for trouble in the long run.
Overall, voters rated the debate as too close to call, but gave Trump the edge.
The debate recieved over 85 million viewers, setting an all new record.
Who won the Presidential debate?
Trump - 39%
Gore - 37%
Bush - 22%
University of Massachussetts, Boston
October 3rd, 2000
The first Presidential debate was on, tens of millions tuned in as the candidates slowly shuffled in. Mr. Trump first shook the hand of Vice-President Al Gore, as Gore then shook the hand of Governor Bush and finally Bush shook the hand of Mr. Trump. It was polite and cordial, but the debate would prove to be far different...
The first question was directed to Mr. Trump, asking if he was a serious candidate and could break through and win as a third party candidate. Trump was somewhat irritated, this was the hundredth time he had been posed this question, but responded that no vote was ever wasted and contrasted his very different vision for the country with Bush and Gore's almost identical platforms.
The next question was to Bush, on the issue of healthcare. Bush talked about his plans to go across state lines, but then threw some red meat to his base when he went on the offensive against Trump. Attacking him as an out of touch liberal, comparing him to Al Gore and ridiculing his universal healthcare proposal, Bush nevertheless stayed away from a "New York values" type gaffe.
Trump attacked back Bush tenfold and savaged him and his record as Governor. He also had this to say...
Trump also used the oppurtunity to take a swipe at Gore, saying that "if we are going to have healthcare reform, it's gotta be universal."
The next subject was the budget. Gore used this to highlight his record and how Democrats had balanced the budget. However, he also used this to attack Trump, criticizing his policies to increase spending and cut taxes as reckless. Trump, rather than remain on the defensive, went on the offensive against "Bore" and said that the Democrats' policies were unsustainable. Trump defended his record as a businessman, and said his policies would create jobs and encourage growth while eventually paying down the debt.
While Gore was the "safe" option, Trump has definitely proven he was the "change" candidate and appealed to a lot of independents. Meanwhile, Bush did not do as well, mired in several gaffes and vague responses.
However, Bush had appealed to and energized the base, while Gore had deflated the excitement of the liberal base with his "safe" answers. Gore had won over some moderates, but by alienating his base he had set himself up for trouble in the long run.
Overall, voters rated the debate as too close to call, but gave Trump the edge.
The debate recieved over 85 million viewers, setting an all new record.
Who won the Presidential debate?
Trump - 39%
Gore - 37%
Bush - 22%
- Abraham Washington
- Word Count: 450