Gentility fades away as GOP candidates face one another
January 26, 2000
Web posted at: 11:52 p.m. EST (0452 GMT)
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) -- The mask of gentility faded away here Wednesday night in the last Republican debate before the New Hampshire primary, as the five GOP presidential candidates sharply criticized one another's positions on abortion, taxes, trade, education and other issues.
The five candidates -- minus Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, who dropped out earlier Wednesday -- criticized one another's positions almost non-stop during the debate, sponsored by CNN and Manchester television station WMUR. And Texas Gov. George W. Bush, leading in national polls but trailing here in some surveys to Arizona Sen. John McCain, faced many of the sharpest attacks.
Bush in particular faced questions about his position on abortion, which the other candidates increasingly seem to sense is a potential wedge issue between him and conservative GOP activists. Continuing his stronger anti-abortion statements of recent weeks, Bush said all children, "born and unborn, should be protected in law."
"I believe it's important for our party to maintain our pro-life position," Bush said. But he added he believed a president should recognize "it is possible for good people to disagree on this issue."
McCain had to defend himself on the same issue. Pressed by conservative commentator Alan Keyes on a mounting controversy after saying earlier Wednesday it would be "a family decision" if his daughter were contemplating an abortion, McCain said: "I will not draw my children into this discussion."
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Steve Forbes questions Gary Bauer in the GOP debate.
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Later, when pressed again by Keyes, McCain added, "I've seen enough killing in my life. I know how precious human life is and I don't need a lecture from you."
Although Bush and McCain were the main targets, all of the candidates received barbs. Keyes, publisher Steve Forbes and social conservative Gary Bauer had a series of exchanges about trade with China -- as the three apparently looked to distinguish themselves as the choice of New Hampshire conservatives. Forbes favors China's entry into the World Trade Organization; Keyes and Bauer oppose it.
Bauer tried to tie the topic to campaign contributions at one point, causing Forbes to snap at him at one point, "Nobody has ever bought me, Gary, and nobody ever will."
Still, most of the night's most riveting moments involved McCain and Bush. Occasionally, they focused on one another.
McCain tried repeatedly to pin Bush down on what corporate tax loopholes Bush would close as president or what military programs he'd cut. Bush gave no specifics, saying he would review his options and try to ensure fiscal discipline.
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Gov. George W. Bush faced attacks from Sen. John McCain.
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"It's the president's job to make sure Congress doesn't have the money to spend in the first place," Bush said.
And after Bush criticized McCain's education record comparing it to Gore's -- the Democratic front-runner -- McCain said, "If you say I'm like Al Gore, then you're spinning like Bill Clinton."
Keyes, getting more attention in New Hampshire after his third-place Iowa finish, faced questions about his support for the death penalty, despite his strong anti-abortion views. He said the two viewpoints were not contradictory.
"I believe there are certain circumstances in which the death penalty is essential for our respect for life," he said, explaining that murder demonstrates such a disrespect for life that the death penalty may be the only appropriate punishment.
In perhaps the night's oddest moment, Bauer criticized Keyes for diving into a 'mosh pit' of people dancing to a band after a campaign event over the weekend. Keyes defended himself, saying he had kept his dignity and adding that he had been told he was "the only person to enter a mosh pit and come out with his tie straight."
After the debate, the candidates repeated many of their key points. Forbes again raised a point he made during the debate -- his feeling that he was not being given equal time.
"Two candidates perceived as front-runners get to have more set-toÕs than the rest of us," said Forbes. "Too often, the others of us in the debate are treated like potted palms."
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Republican presidential debate - Part 1
Republican presidential debate - Part 2
Republican presidential debate - Part 3
Republican presidential debate - Part 4
Republican presidential debate - Part 5
Republican presidential debate - Part 6