Preparing For The Showdown

With this year's presidential race predicted to be the closest in 30 years, the stakes are high going into candidates' first debate. When George W. Bush and Al Gore step onto the stage at the University of Massachusetts on Tuesday night, both know they will be scrutinized by millions of voters who say they are waiting for an event like this to finally make up their minds.

As the event draws nearer, the candidates are taking the weekend off from campaigning to prepare in seclusion. Both men downplay how much effort they are putting into their preparations, seeking instead to dampen expectations by boosting their opponent's credentials.

Gore, who is tagged with the reputation for being the more skillful debater, played down his prep work to reporters on Air Force One this week, saying he has been "reading some stuff, basically. That’s mostly what I’ve done so far." He gave high marks to Bush's past debate performances, noting his victories over Gov. Ann Richards and Sen. John McCain. "I think he’s an excellent debater," said the vice president.

For his part, Bush appears, at least publicly, to be taking the same amiable approach that has served him so well on the campaign trail. He joked to the Associated Press that the only problem with engaging in mock debates with Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., is that often "he wins."Gregg has been acting as a stand-in for Gore in practice sessions.

Bush began cramming for the debates back in May. Besides holding mock debates, Bush spokeswoman Karen Hughes says campaign officials are also closely scrutinizing videotapes of past debates. "We’ve actually gone back and asked him questions that were asked in past debates," she said.

Though Sen. Gregg has been tightlipped about his role in the preparations, the campaign feels he hacaptured Gore's style. "Sen. Gregg has done a good job at capturing Al Gore’s condescending nature," says Bush spokesman Scott McClellan.

Gore picked former Clinton adviser Paul Begala to play the role of Bush in his practice sessions. The Texan helped engineer Mr. Clinton's defeat of Bush's father in 1992, and he recently released a book on Bush's record that borrows its title, Is Our Children Learning, from one of the Texas governor's misspoken phrases. But Begala says he doesn't underestimate the Republican candidate.

The hardest part about playing Bush, he says, is "rewiring" his thought processes. "I’m a Democrat. I went to public schools. I have student loans. And now I’ve got to wrap my mind around a guy who's a perfectly decent guy, but who's reflexively against all that."

The easiest part is coming up with good one-liners. "One thing I like about Bush, we both have an affinity for the occasional smart-alecky line," says Begala.

In earlier practice debates, Gore was matched with New York congressman Tom Downey. But since Downey received unsolicited debate materials from the Bush campaign in the mail, he has bowed out.

Saturday, Gore, his family, and a full slate of advisers head to Sarasota, Florida, for several days of rehearsals. He has also invited a selection of average citizens he's met while campaigning around the country.

Gore spokesman Doug Hattaway says the vice president chose the location because he prepared there in 1996 for his vice presidential debate against Jack Kemp, and because it gives him an opportunity to talk to more voters in Florida, a state that could be crucial in the race's outcome. Gore is holding his practice sessions at the Mote Marine Laboratory, a conference center and lab facility known for its shark research.

Gore will depart Florida for Boston on Tuesday morning. Before he leaves, he will hold a public event with seniors, a key constituency in the Sunshine State.

The Bush campaign quickly jumped on Gore's selection of Florida to warm up for the debates. "We're not focus-grouping where we're spending our time preparing," said McClellan.

The Texas governor returned home to Austin Wednesday night for a preparation session with his senior staff and is holding his debate practices at his ranch near Crawford, Texas this weekend. His campaign says he has three-hour practice meetings slated for Friday and Saturday.

But the Bush team insists his best preparation has been talking with voters one on one. "We win when we talk about the issues," says McClellan.

The Gore campaign also promises keep the debate focused on the specifics. "When voters hear directly from him, they respond very favorably," says Hattaway.