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Morning News

'New York Observer' Reporter Reviews Clinton-Lazio Debate

Aired September 14, 2000 - 11:03 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: In the meantime, back to that political duel we just talked about. Last night, Buffalo, New York, Senate candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rick Lazio came out swinging in their first debate.

Let's go live to Buffalo, where last night's debate was held, with Tish Durkin, a reporter for the "New York Observer."

Tish, good morning to you. How are you doing, OK?

TISH DURKIN, "NEW YORK OBSERVER": I'm doing great.

HEMMER: We are going to run a couple of clips from last night's debate. But quickly, get on record here, what did you think of the event last evening?

DURKIN: It was just tougher and tougher. It was very, very substantive. For all the bitter raucousness that certainly did characterize the debate, the vast majority of the questions really were politically pointed, but very much on the issues. And for that, I think the panel was to be congratulated. But really, this is a race that gets tougher by the minute.

HEMMER: We are seeing some videotape last night of the debate itself. Want to draw our attention now, as you know, in debates, many times it is one or two moments that come out of debate where people highlight.

Let's look at one, where Rick Lazio challenged the first lady to give her name, her signature to a petition to ban soft money in this campaign.

Quick sample now from last evening.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D), NEW YORK SENATE CANDIDATE: You did it very well.

REP. RICK LAZIO (R-NY), NEW YORK SENATE CANDIDATE: I'm not asking you to admire, I am asking you to sign it.

CLINTON: Well, I would be happy to, when you give me the signed letters... LAZIO: Right here, sign it right now.

CLINTON: We will shake on this, Rick.

LAZIO: I want your signature because I think everybody wants to see you signing something that you said you were for. I'm for it. I haven't done it. You have been violating it, why don't you stand up and do something important for America. While America is looking at New York, why don't you show some leadership? Because it goes to trust and character.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: There's the challenge. Did it work, Tish?

DURKIN: Well, I think it made -- obviously it made excellent television because it was one of the two most picked up clips from the night. But in terms of anyone's real life, it will not bear even the shadow of significance on what actually occurs here in New York. Because of course that ban is never going to take place. So...

HEMMER: The other issue raised by the moderator last night, Tin Russert from NBC, talking about the right-wing conspiracy that was blanketed across the country two years back after the Monica Lewinsky matter broke. Quick sample from last night on this matter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: I've tried to be as forthcoming as I could, given the circumstances that I faced. Obviously, I didn't mislead anyone, I didn't know the truth, and there's a great deal of pain associated with that. And my husband has certainly acknowledged that and made it clear that he did mislead the country, as well as his family.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Tish, in this race, how difficult is this issue for Mrs. Clinton to face?

DURKIN: It's interesting. you know I was talking to my mother before I came on and she is just furious with Tim Russert for having brought that up. So, in a strange way, as uncomfortable as that moment clearly was for the first lady, I think it may be that a number of people, like my mother, particularly those who are swing voters and not in the anti-Clinton camp, will actually feel some sympathy for her.

And in terms of the debate itself, the question, which I by the way felt was perfectly well within bounds, really occasioned a bad moment not for the first lady, but for Congressman Lazio, who I think most people felt kind of hammered her on that point, when he could have hung back a little bit, exhibited a little more humanity.

HEMMER: Quickly, in the 10 seconds we have left, two more debates planned between these two candidates. What could change? What should we expect in the next two meetings? DURKIN: I don't know. I think that we are probably going to expect -- we should probably expect more of the same, which is the attempt on the part of Mrs. Clinton to tie Rick Lazio to Newt Gingrich, and an attempt on the part of Congressman Lazio to tie Mrs. Clinton to what people do not like about the Clinton administration.

HEMMER: We will watch it, an interesting race, a lot of national attention. Tish Durkin, live in Buffalo, thanks.

DURKIN: Thank you.

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