GOP Debate: Mild and Crazy

Five Republican presidential candidates staged their first debate of the season Friday night, agreeing on more than they found to argue about, after needling the front-runner who stayed away.

The sharpest line was drawn by conservative Gary Bauer in repeated slaps at Steve Forbes, his self-financed rival for backing on the GOP right.

On taxes, trade and health care, Bauer made a point of disputing Forbes' proposals. "Steve, that sounded real good, but we've got to go beyond generalities," he said after Forbes complained that Americans are losing control of their decisions on medical care to government and to health maintenance organizations.

"Washington is gridlocked by special interests," said Sen. John McCain of Arizona, a champion of campaign finance reform. He said Democrats are beholden to trial lawyers, and Republicans to the health care industry.

The Republicans trying to overtake the absent front-runner, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, did differ on trade policy toward China, with Bauer and the even more conservative Alan Keyes saying the most favored nation treatment Beijing now gets -- which is standard for U.S. trading partners -- should be revoked.

McCain, Forbes and Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah criticized administration policy toward China, but didn't advocate ending most favored nation rules.

More typically, after McCain rebuked Clinton administration policy on national defense, Hatch said he agreed with everything his fellow senator had said.

Keyes was the most talkative and confrontational of the lot, denouncing socialism, urging outright abolition of the income tax, telling the others to "stop talking out of both sides of our mouths."

The hourlong forum was sponsored by New Hampshire Public Television, The Union Leader of Manchester, and New Hampshire Cable News.

C-Span broadcast the debate nationally.

Bush opted weeks ago to skip the forum, and one next week, too, since his lead in campaign funds and in the public opinion polls left no incentive for face-to-face encounters with his challengers now.

Forbes said the opener would be an appetizer for people who will want to hear from Bush. "They're going to want more real debates, not just an hour session. They're going to want all the candidates involved and so I think it's going to put pressure on Gov. Bush to be more participatory in the future," Forbes said.

Bauer said afterwards that he and Forbes are battling to be the conservative alternative to Bush. "I believe that Steve Forbes has peaked just as the foliage in New Hampshire has," he said.

Bush, who had campaign stops in New Hampshire on Friday, said he had committed to a fund-raiser for Vermont Republicans at the same time of the debate.

He also declined to participate in a debate next Wednesday because it conflicts with a ceremony honoring his wife, Laura, at her alma mater, Southern Methodis University in Dallas.

Bush's campaign said it told the debate organizers before invitations were mailed to the candidates that the governor would not be able to attend.

Friday's debate came one day after the latest New Hampshire poll found Bush with a commanding lead but McCain strengthening his position in second place.

In a telephone survey of 600 likely Republican voters, Bush had the support of 42 percent, about what he had in August. McCain had 26 percent -- 10 points better than in August with most of his gains coming at the expense of other candidates.

The meeting also came two days after Elizabeth Dole, the lone woman seeking the GOP nomination, quit the race citing difficulty raising money.

Besides Bush, conservative commentator Pat Buchanan also skipped the debate. He is expected to announce Monday that he is leaving the Republican Party to seek the nomination of the Reform Party.

Hatch, who has scored zero percent in some recent polls, said he brought more to the campaign than some of the other candidates.

"As much as I like Gary Bauer and Alan Keyes and Steve Forbes and I think they're good people, I think any one of them would make a better president than what we have right now I do think it's very important to be able to start working Day One, to know what you're doing," the senator said.

"I do think it's important to have run for office before and have had the experience of having to face the electorate."