THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 8, 1996 TAG: 9610080333
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 70 lines
IN FAVOR OF CLINTON
J.J. Fitzpatrick, Chesapeake. ``I feel Dole appeared ill at ease
as he stumbled and stammered answering several questions or evaded
the question completely. Clinton, on the other hand, appeared
confident and gave clear and concise responses. At the end when Dole
realized he wasn't able to compete with Clinton, he pulled out the
old liberal tag and Whitewater pardons, which he promised not to do
earlier. I think Clinton clearly won the debate tonight.''
Jack Fox, Virginia Beach. ``My vote is for Bill Clinton. I think
he came across as a much more intelligent individual. I had not seen
them both pitted intellectually against one another. He was quicker,
his responses were better. I would like him to represent me if there
was a national problem. We need someone in the White House who has a
quick, sharp mind. At 73, I thought Dole was way too slow and did
not have the intellectual capacity to deal with the rapid developing
problems of the world.''
Dennis Freeman, Chesapeake. ``I thought that the president by far
was a better speaker and he had the better thing for the United
States.''
Charles Garrett, Virginia Beach. ``I believe President Clinton
has a lot more over Sen. Dole. I just believe that his views on
education were a lot more solid than Dole's. I feel President
Clinton has a better package as far as our education and our future
for our kids.''
Vivien Taylor, Norfolk. ``I think (Dole) is trying to take us
back into the past and President Clinton is trying to take us
forward. I think President Clinton would be a better president.''
Ron Gilchrist, Virginia Beach. ``Both candidates seem to have
positive impact but I think President Clinton highlighted more of
the issues in-depth than Sen. Dole.''
Lisa Apperson, Portsmouth. ``I think President Clinton is running
away with the debate. Bob Dole appears to be not informed and is not
even answering the questions.''
IN FAVOR OF DOLE
Robert Burnette Sr., Portsmouth. ``I felt Mr. Dole clearly won
the debate in all areas. His poise was much better than Mr.
Clinton's, and I think he'll win in a close election.''
James Dziedzic, Norfolk. ``I thought Dole did a really good job
on the debate, and he got some of his viewpoints across and people
will pay more attention to the election now.''
Clyde Denton, Norfolk. ``One of the things that continues to
bother me is that the president is very poised but he still carries
the slick-Willie image that he came into the office with, and I
guess he'll go out with it. Sen. Dole tried to be courteous, and the
president tried to undermine his numbers but they weren't to be
undermined.''
Maureen Wesloh, Virginia Beach. ``I will vote for Bob Dole. I am
tired of Clinton and his Democrats trying to control so many areas
of our lives, particularly education. He talks about all the tax
cuts. We've paid our last tuition bill and no government has helped
us out and I'm not about to have my tax dollars go to help someone
else. I don't believe Clinton is honest. I believe Dole. I think he
is honest and I think the record shows that.''
Wendy Thomas, ``I believe Bob Dole is making President Clinton
look like a slick talker who doesn't know really what he's talking
about. I supported Bob Dole before but I really do now. Also, we
need a commander in chief who has been in the military before. It
should be a prerequisite.''
KEYWORDS: PRESIDENTIAL RACE 1996 DEBATE PUBLIC JOURNALISM
OPINION by CNB