English/Nat Bill Clinton and Bob Dole have fought out their first televised debate on Sunday, hoping to sway millions of viewers to vote for them in November's presidential election. The Democrat and Republican candidates clashed over tax cuts, the economy and foreign policy. The Bushnell Theatre in downtown Hartford was the site for the first of two 90-minute debates between Clinton and Dole, both one-on-one encounters because of a controversial decision to exclude Ross Perot. Standing just a few feet apart on a red-carpeted stage, Clinton and Dole challenged each again and again during a 90-minute showdown that ushered in the final month of the campaign for the White House. Their fast-paced exchanges ranged from the causes of rising teen drug use to the role of the American military at the dawn of the 21st century. But the debate started on a friendly note. SOUNDBITE: "Thank you Jim, and thank you to the people of Hartford, our hosts. I want to begin by saying again how much I respect Senator Dole and his record of public service, and how hard I will try to make this campaign and this debate one of ideas, not insults." SUPER CAPTION: President Bill Clinton SOUNDBITE: "Thank you Mr President for those kind words. I thank the people of Hartford, and I promise you tonight that I'll try to address your concerns and not try to exploit them. It's a tall order, but I've been running against the odds for a long time. Again, I'm honoured to be here this evening." SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican presidential candidate Their first clash came over the role of the federal government. SOUNDBITE: "Well Jim, I believe that the federal government should give people the tools and try to establish the conditions in which they can make the most of their own lives. That to me is the key." SUPER CAPTION: President Bill Clinton, Democratic presidential candidate SOUNDBITE: "I think the basic difference is, and I've got some experience in this, I think the basic difference is I trust the people. The president trusts the government." SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican presidential candidate Dole blamed Clinton for increased teen-age drug use during his term and said under a Dole administration, the National Guard would be trained to stop drugs at the border. Clinton accepted some of the blame for the nation's drug problems, but said he cares deeply about the issue, referring to his brother's battle with drugs. SOUNDBITE: "Let me remind you, that my family has suffered from drug abuse. I know what it's like to see somebody you love nearly lose their lives, and I hate drugs, Senator. We need to do this together, and we can." SUPER CAPTION: President Bill Clinton, Democratic presidential candidate Several questions from moderator Jim Lehrer, a public television network anchor, dealt with foreign policy issues. Dole also said Clinton had been too soft on the communist regimes in Cuba and North Korea and had failed to establish viable democracy in Haiti. SOUNDBITE: SUPER CAPTION: Bob Dole, Republican presidential candidate Clinton said the criticism's were off base. SOUNDBITE: "In Northern Ireland and the Middle East we are better off than we were four years ago. There will always be problems in this old world. But if we're moving in the right direction and America is leading, we're better off." SUPER CAPTION: President Bill Clinton Winding up the debate, both candidates looked to the future. SOUNDBITE: "Folks, we can build that bridge to the 21st century, big enough and strong enough for all of us to walk across. And I hope that you will help me build it." SOUNDBITE: You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/e09c448e9ee7952e11ca84a0f46f1fa7 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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