(6 Oct 1996) English/Nat
Bill Clinton and Bob Dole - the two main challengers in November's Presidential election in the USA - will face each other in a few hours in the first of a series of televised debates.
President Clinton goes into the debating chamber 15 points ahead in the opinion polls. Dole sees the face-to-face televised showdowns as possibly his best chance to woo voters away from the President.
Political analysts agree that if history is the judge President Clinton has little to gain and much to lose in tonight's opening debate.
Traditionally front-runners tend to want to avoid facing political opponents because often the underdog comes out on top, harnesses public opinion and ends up winning more votes.
But the Presidential Debates are as much part of the election process as putting an X on the ballot paper in the United States. The stakes are high for both men.
Bill Clinton was all smiles as he flew into Hartford, Connecticut, where the first debate will take place. But behind the stage grin there may just be a little stage fright.
Several days of intensive training have gone into preparing him for the television showdown and political aides like White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta are sure their man is ready.
Panetta dismisses talk of surprises - possibly born out of an American newspaper report that the Republicans are going to plant someone in the front row to embarrass Clinton and knock him off his stride.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Everybody always speculates that there are hidden surprises but I have to tell you I think people have to be careful about surprises here. I have to tell you I really do think the American people want to tune in to a debate between these two candidates and hopefully there won't be any gimmicks that will interfere with that."
SUPER CAPTION: Leon Panetta,White House Chief of Staff.
Churchgoers in Washington D.C. on Sunday morning mostly agreed that they'd be watching the debate - but not so many felt it would change their opinion on who they'd be voting for on election day.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think I pretty much made up my mind about the election more than anything."
Q: Will it make a difference who you vote for on how they do in the debate?
"I don't think it will make a difference."
"I keep up with the politics fairly much, so I think I am fairly well decided who I am voting for so I don't think it will make much difference, but it will certainly help me be more informed on the positions."
"Whatever that was said, that is what I would like to hear, that is who I will vote for, the one who says the right thing."
SUPERCAPTION: VOX POPS
Republican challenger Bob Dole looked in bullish mood as he headed for Washington's National Airport on route to the debate.
A bad performance in the two 90-minute contests would virtually write-off his chances of being elected - but a good performance could mean his campaign will take off with less than a month to go to polling day.
No doubting who this crowd wants to win - Clinton supporters turned out in force to wish their man good luck at a rally near the debate venue.
Bill Clinton's most relaxed when he's amongst people; although campaign aides like George Stephanopoulos looked a little up tight. He's grown a beard and he thinks to shave it off too early could be costly.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
Question: - Tell me about the beard - why won't you shave the beard ?
ANSWER: "(I'll shave it) .....right before the debate- its a four year old superstition"
SUPER CAPTION: George STEPHANopOulos, Clinton aide.
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