Civility rules VP match

By BRIGITTE GREENBERG

Associated Press

DANVILLE, Ky. – Republican Dick Cheney and Democrat Joseph Lieberman disagreed firmly but politely Thursday night about military readiness, tax cuts and the future of Social Security in a gentlemanly debate of campaign understudies.

Sitting a few feet apart around a small table, the vice presidential candidates agreed that President Slobodan Milosevic should give up power in Yugoslavia after an election loss, but both opposed the use of American troops to force him out.

In a debate that ranged broadly over campaign issues, Lieberman, a two-term Connecticut senator, said Republicans want to “raid the Medicare trust fund to pay for their tax cuts.” But Cheney said there was more than enough money to go around, and it is “totally reasonable” to give relief to all taxpayers.

The argument that “somehow … all of it is going to tax cuts isn’t true,” Cheney said of the huge surpluses forecast over the next decade.

The two men sparred as they sat together for their only debate of the fall campaign. The atmosphere on a specially constructed stage at Centre College was far more relaxed than Tuesday night when presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush met in Boston for the first of their three scheduled encounters.

Each man pledged at the outset to avoid personal attacks. Cheney took that one step further. “I promise not to bring up your singing,” he said to Lieberman.

“And I promise not to sing,” Lieberman replied with a smile.

But even good-natured comments reflected the widely differing views the two men hold about the role of government in the 21st century.

Pointing to a strong economy, Lieberman said most people would say they are better off then they were eight years ago. “I am pleased to see from the newspapers that you’re better off than you were 8 years ago too,” he said to Cheney, a reference to the multi-million dollar separation package the former oil services company executive received when he left to join the GOP ticket.

“And I can tell you, Joe, that the government had nothing to do with it,” Cheney said, a remark that overlooked that his firm had received more than $2 billion in federal contracts for support of American troops on peacekeeping missions.

Lieberman joked that his wife wanted him to join the private sector.

“Well, I’m going to try to help you do that, Joe,” Cheney said.

“No, I think you’ve done so well there I want to keep you there.”

The two men debated in a White House race that is as close as any in the past four decades. Bush and Gore are separated by only a point or two in most polls, pointing to a suspenseful final month of the campaign.

When the subject turned to legalized gay marriage, the rivals responded gingerly. Lieberman said “my mind is open” though he wants to preserve the institution of heterosexual marriage.

Cheney, who has an openly gay daughter, said people should be open-minded and tolerant of gays, but the issue of gay marriage is “not a slam dunk.” He said it was appropriate for states to regulate marriage. “I think different states are likely to come to different conclusions.”

On foreign policy, Cheney said the United States “might have no other choice” but military action to oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein if he is found to be developing weapons of mass destruction. Cheney was defense secretary during the Persian Gulf War, which Lieberman noted “did not end in total victory.”

When it came to defense readiness, Cheney said there has been an erosion during the eight years of the Clinton administration, and the Pentagon was “overcommitted and under-resourced.”

“With all due respect, this administration has a bad track record,” he said, referring to reports that some units were only permitted to conduct live firing exercises twice a year.

Lieberman replied that the United States was “ready to meet any commitment that might arise,” and scolded Cheney for his comments in the midst of a political campaign.

A question about whether Lieberman had flip-flopped on his positions since joining Gore’s ticket produced a carefully worded reply from Cheney. Cheney said he felt “the depth of concern” that Lieberman once showed had lessened about entertainment material that wasn’t fit for children. “You haven’t been as consistent as you have been in the past,” he said.

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens schools bond leading early; Arlington voters reject latest levy attempt

A $314 million bond looks to pass while Arlington’s attempts to build a new Post Middle School again appear to take a step back.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider

The idea for the Lynnwood crisis center began in 2021 after a 47-year-old died by suicide while in custody at Lynnwood Municipal Jail.

Three seriously injured after head-on collision on Highway 522

The crash between Monroe and Maltby happened around 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.