Candidates Debate

This speech is intended as Opening Remarks at one of the Presidential Candidates Debate.

13 October 2003

I see the smiles out there, don’t tell me it doesn’t give you a thrill too. And well it should - we are Americans and we have a lot to be proud of. We do a lot of jobs - and we do them well.

Tonight we have another job to do. Tonight we have to take another step toward selecting the next President of the United States of America. Not a simple task - we have a fine array of candidates - and the world is watching. Let’s do a good job. Perhaps more than any other product, the President of the United States of America is "MADE IN THE USA" - let’s show the world our idea of a quality product.

Electing a president every four years is a long standing tradition in the United States. But it is politics, and over the years a lot of slogans, catch phrases, adages, and witticisms have been presented for our evaluation. There is one that I particularly like, it goes, "Politicians are like diapers, they should be changed often - and for the same reason".

We are here tonight to sniff - let me suggest some of the things we should be sniffing for.

Politicians, left to themselves, have a tendency to say whatever the people standing before them want to hear. Do not allow this - if you hear them contradicting something they said earlier - call them to task. Be rough on them - they are running for President of the United States of America.

Politicians, of their own accord, will be vague. They will put out a great many words but say very little. Do not accept this - if candidates do not use concrete terms - pressure them. Be rough on them - they are running for President of the United States of America.

Politicians, when questioned, are often evasive. They don’t seem to like giving straight answers to tough questions. It’s not about what they like, it’s about answers. Do not let this happen - if the candidates don’t answer a question - tell them that they didn’t answer the question and ask it again. Be rough on them, they are running for President of the United States of America.

Politicians, voluntarily, will seldom talk to you about issues though not to directly concern you. My fellow Americans, we are all in this together - there are no issues that don’t concern each and every one of us. Do not settle for part of the story - listen to what these candidates have to say, tonight, tomorrow, every day up to election day - and judge them. Be rough on them, they are running for President of the United States of America.

The President of the United States of America is a very serious job. The performance of it affects the lives of everyone on the planet - but only you, my fellow Americans, get to decide who fills the job. It is a heavy responsibility. Listen to these candidates, and judge them according to your own personal standards. Don’t let me, or some television commentator, or some newspaper columnist, or anyone else dictate your judgment. Then armed with the knowledge that you have reached the best decision available - go out and vote. Above all else - go, out, and, vote.

My Fellow Americans, I hope that my words are of value to you. You have been very kind to listen and I Thank You - Good night.

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