Dole And Clinton On Reality TV

(CBS)  In the latest in a series of two-minute debates for CBS News 60 Minutes, former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole and former President Bill Clinton discuss reality TV. Following is a transcript of their debate:

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SENATOR DOLE: Does Hollywood still think Ozzy Osbourne is funny, now that he's shipped his underage son off to drug rehab?

America is awash in reality TV. And the reality is it's debasing and degrading. Mr. President, don't your showbiz pals realize the consequences? They package dysfunctional people like the Osbournes, giggle at the coarseness and the crimes, and sink lower for higher ratings.

For eight years you treated Hollywood like your own piggy bank. Now, how about joining me in demanding a little responsibility? Ask those entertainment executives who wrote you those big, big checks: Isn't there some way to reach the most viewers without appealing to the worst in viewers? Reality exacts a price. Sadly, from Ozzy's son today. And maybe other kids tomorrow. President Clinton, how low can things go?

PRESIDENT CLINTON: Senator, that's a great example of un-reality TV. I've never watched "The Osbournes," but 10 years ago I did challenge the entertainment industry to take violence and what's harmful to kids out of their programming.

I pushed for the first TV ratings system and the V chip to give parents more control over what their kids watched. Reality TV makes money because adults watch it. Fox, the network full of conservative Republicans, has reality shows and you haven't criticized them.

As for kids and drugs, the Republican budget gives a tax cut to you and me paid for by cutting $100 million from the Safe and Drug Free School Program and the Drug Enforcement Administration -- and worst of all by kicking half a million kids out of after-school programs which we know keeps them away from drugs.

The administration's budget will hurt our effort to keep kids drug free a lot more than "The Osbournes." That's reality.

SENATOR DOLE: You say reality TV makes money. So what? Is that all that matters to you? What about the cost? You know this isn't about federal programs. It's about real people, parents who are afraid to turn on the TV. Mr. President, how can you put a price on decency?

PRESIDENT CLINTON: I can't, but you Republicans do in your budget. How decent is kicking kids out of after school programs? At least parents can use the V chip to protect their kids from shows they shouldn't see. At least the Osbournes put their son in rehab. You Republicans are addicted to unfair tax cuts. You should put your budget in rehab, too.