Some reaction from viewers and political figures around the country to Tuesday night's first presidential debate between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush:
"I think most people's viewpoint, they're thinking Gore's answers are surpassing Governor Bush's." _ Gene Hart, social quarters manager for the Moose Lodge in Hot Springs, Ark., where a mix of Democrats and Republicans watched the debate.
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"It's obvious that Bush is a lot stronger mentally than Gore. Gore looks scared. He's on the bandwagon. He just looks weak, he doesn't look like a leader. He's not a shoot-from-the-hip kind of guy." _ John Fontanini, of San Diego, eating dinner at the Crossroads Plaza mall in Salt Lake City.
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"When I'm trying to listen to Bush, they let Gore jump in and he gets all the time. Now, because of this debate I'm voting for the other guy probably." _ Esther Hentz, of Whitehall, Pa., who quit halfway through the debate because she said Gore was allowed too much speaking time.
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"I think they should have asked more questions about policy and less about why they don't like each other." _ Mike Otlin, student at the University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H.
"I was very surprised that Bush is doing much better than I expected him to do. I was a little surprised at Gore's lack of coolness at certain points when he is usually 'Mr. Cool and Collected."' _ Chris Tate, a 35-year-old mother of four in Brandon, Fla.
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"I think they go back and forth at each other's points and you almost get confused about who stands for what. ... I think they just ought to print something up in the newspaper. Make a column of what Gore is for, cut and dry. Make another column for what Bush is for, cut and dry. Put it in plain English so they're not beating around the bush." _ Glen Burrola, a salesman at Ultimate Electronics in Albuquerque, N.M., who caught bits of the debate between helping customers.
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"I think Gore always has to get the last word. I think it's annoying because I don't like him." _ Kim Higginson, eating dinner at Crossroads Plaza, a mall in downtown Salt Lake City.
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"I
was more worried about the election before this debate. I'm now confident that Gore will win. His command of issues is stronger. I think the debate reflected Governor Bush's limited experience. That was reflected in his nervousness and lack of confidence." _ Mark Bryant, president of Freedom Inc., a black political organization in Kansas City, Mo., and former city council member, who watched from the group's storefront office.
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"It was a great debate and a great slugging match. Nobody can deny that Governor Bush held his own. I think he did a little better. The telling factor was that Gore always wanted the last word, but Bush seemed to get it. I'd say score debate one for Bush." _ Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa.
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"I thought he was very effective tonight, very calm, cool, very disciplined, laid out the message, helped draw the contrasts. There really are fundamental differences between the two approaches to government. I thought it was a good night, but I was very proud of my running mate. I thought he did a helluva job." _ Republican vice presidential nominee Dick Cheney.
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"I think what happened here tonight was Al Gore was very strong, very factual and very presidential, and that's why Governor Bush was on the defensive. I thought the vice president was superb tonight. I'm proud to be his running mate, I thought he was great." _ Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman.
(Copyright 2000 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
