ad info

 
CNN.comTranscripts
 
Editions | myCNN | Video | Audio | Headline News Brief | Feedback  

 

  Search
 
 

 

TOP STORIES

Bush signs order opening 'faith-based' charity office for business

Rescues continue 4 days after devastating India earthquake

DaimlerChrysler employees join rapidly swelling ranks of laid-off U.S. workers

Disney's GO.com is a goner

(MORE)

MARKETS
4:30pm ET, 4/16
144.70
8257.60
3.71
1394.72
10.90
879.91
 


WORLD

U.S.

POLITICS

LAW

TECHNOLOGY

ENTERTAINMENT

 
TRAVEL

ARTS & STYLE



(MORE HEADLINES)
 
CNN Websites
Networks image


Morning News

Former Clinton Speech Writer Discusses Upcoming Debates

Aired October 3, 2000 - 9:33 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: Now, for both candidates, for both men preparation for tonight's debate, very intense.

Joining us now with some insight on what's involved, a former speech writer for the outgoing President Clinton. He's also the author of a new book, "Potus Speaks."

Michael Waldman, live this morning in our Washington bureau.

Sir, good morning to you.

MICHAEL WALDMAN, FORMER CLINTON SPEECH WRITER: Good morning.

HEMMER: You had a number of interesting comments, I was reading, about -- about debates and preparation. You helped President Clinton, back in 1996, get ready for Bob Dole. And George Mitchell, the former Senator, was the stand-in for Bob Dole. You say Mitchell cleaned President Clinton's clock.

How so?

WALDMAN: Well, it's very true, in the mock debates, Mitchell came in, he was very prepared, and he's a tremendous advocate. And in the first mock debates he really beat President Clinton pretty handily. I think it shook the president up, which was the whole idea. It got him on his game. And that is, if nothing else, that is one of the ideas behind these mock debates.

The funny thing is that sometimes the first time that a candidate, whether it's an incumbent president, or, in this case, Gore and Bush, it's the time first time the candidate hears what the other person is saying.

HEMMER: Yes, I find that surprising too. Just when you consider campaigns have been on-going for months and you're saying that this is the first time, many times, you truly understand the opponent's position.

How is that?

WALDMAN: It's the first time you understand how the opponent is framing his own position. You'll, your candidate will be standing there and the person playing the other person will say something, and President Clinton would say: He's saying that? And I am sure Gore and Bush are saying the same thing. They're off in their own bubbles. They talk to the crowds in front of them, and they're worried about their own message. And it's a great thing, both for them as candidates, and for all of us, that two guys with big -- big microphones, a big chance to talk to the public, are actually facing off against each other.

HEMMER: And what is your best guess for getting prepared to the response of your opponent? How often is it truly a surprise, do you think, Michael?

WALDMAN: It shouldn't be too much of a surprise, if they've been preparing...

HEMMER: If they are prepared, right.

WALDMAN: ... if they've been preparing the way they seem to. Apparently, according to what we found out when the debate tape was mailed to Tom Downey, Governor Bush, has been practicing since last May. So, both of these candidates should be very well prepared and it should not be too much of a surprise.

HEMMER: Michael, what do you -- given that thought, what do you anticipate for tonight, given the closeness of the race, et cetera?

WALDMAN: Well, I think that it, ultimately, surprisingly, will probably turn on issues. That's -- the sleeper issue of this election is issues. I think that Governor Bush ought to be able to show that he's personally capable of being president. And Vice President Gore ought to be able to show that he has the humanity that people want. Where it really will come down, is on issues, like the tax cut, economic policy and prescription drugs.

HEMMER: But, do you -- do you believe the candidates will go after each other in an attacking matter? or do you think it could be a halting or conservative tone, trying not to offend people who are riding that fence?

WALDMAN: Well, I think we all have the sense, now, that voters are very skittish about attacks and if you look back at some of the tapes of the old debates over the years, even 10 years ago, people were not nearly as frail, and I think it's good for people, if the candidates do mix it up, do compare each other's issues. Not personal attacks necessarily, but this is -- this is a real choice and, if nothing else, I was thinking about the turmoil in the Middle East. It reminds us just of how high the stakes are. This is a placid time today, but who knows if it will be so placid a year from now?

HEMMER: In the 10 seconds we have left, your new book, what is your message in the book about President Clinton?

WALDMAN: I think very highly of him. It tries to show how he used his speeches, how he governed, not so much the controversies, but what he actually tried to do as president.

HEMMER: It's called "Potus Speaks: Finding the Words that Defined the Clinton Presidency," written by Michael Waldman, this morning live in Washington,

Thank you, sir. Enjoy it tonight, all right.

WALDMAN: Absolutely.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com

 Search   


Back to the top  © 2001 Cable News Network. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.