Politics

Your Guide To 'Bush Vs. Gore'

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

October 2, 2000 / 4:15 PM EDT / CBS

As the Campaign 2000 debate season begins, CBS News Correspondent Eric Engberg offers a scrimmage-line view of the match up between Al Gore and George W. Bush.

What are Democrat Gore's strengths? He's totally versed on the issues and always prepared, even bringing his own props. When Gore debated Bill Bradley in Iowa, the vice president brought his own farmer to make a rhetorical point.

Top among Republican George W. Bush's strengths is n easy-going, "awe shucks" style. On the campaign trail, the Texas governor has shown a natural touch with people, even when he doesn't make the shot.

"I love people. I love America," Bush has said. "I'm just gonna tell you what I think. We'll let the chips fall where they may."

Now for the potential weaknesses. When Gore combats his famous stiffness, he tries to be looser - and that can look like giddiness. And the vice president has been caught in some exaggerations as when he told a union audience, "I still the lullabies I heard as child - 'Look for the union label.'" It turned out that song didn't come out until Gore was past the lullaby years.

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As for Bush, sometimes the words that come out of his mouth come out jumbled.

"I don't think we need to be subliminable about the differences between our views on prescription drugs," he once said.

But the debate playbook is the same whether you're Bush or Gore.

Rule #1: Be ready with a game-breaking soundbite score like the one Ronald Reagan completed in 1984 against Walter Mondale.

"I will not make age an issue in this campaign," said Reagan, the GOP incumbent. "I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience."

And, Rule #2: Be thinking about fumbles like the one GOP running mate Dan Quayle made when he compared his record to John Kennedy's in 1988.

The reply from Democrat Lloyd Bentsen: "I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

As this week's debate kick-off in Boston approaches, Gore's coaching staff wants him to display his intelligence - without nastiness. Bush's coaching staff wants their candidate to show a solid grasp of complex issues - and do it with a smile.