Contenders romp in a colloquial exchange

By Michael Crowley, Globe Staff, 1/7/2000

URHAM, N.H. - Maybe it was the format. Maybe it was the tension of the moment. But last night's Republican presidential debate seemed, at times, something short of presidential.

REPUBLICAN DEBATE

Here are the particulars of tonight's Republican presidential candidates debate.
PARTICIPANTS: Texas Gov. George W. Bush, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Steve Forbes, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, Alan Keyes and Gary Bauer
TIME: 7-8 p.m.
PLACE: Johnson Theatren Paul Creative Arts Center, the University of New Hampshire
MODERATOR: NBC's Tim Russert
SPONSORS: New England Cable News, Manchester Union Leader, New Hampshire Public Television.
PANEL: Alison King of New England Cable News, John DiStaso of The Union Leader, Jenny Attiyeh of New Hampshire Public Television.

MORE COVERAGE

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In N.H. living room, few minds made up
Excerpts cast religion, taxes in spotlight
Contenders romp in a colloquial exchange
Truth Squad: Confusion over surplus and taxes in GOP debate
Here we go again: A Bush pledges 'no new taxes'

   

There was, for instance, the cameo appearances by Puff Daddy and the Backstreet Boys, as recollected by John McCain. There was the accusation that the moderator himself might want to run for office. There was the joking threat to shut off one candidate's microphone.

And there were countless moments of confusion, cross-talking, loose laughter, and an atmosphere that often seemed more like a rowdy classroom than a discussion about how to lead the free world.

The carefree chaos of the night was a striking contrast to the often tense and serious exchanges between Vice President Al Gore and former senator Bill Bradley in Wednesday night's Democratic debate.

The loose atmosphere seemed to affect every candidate, bringing out the mischievous humor of McCain, the senator from Arizona, the wry wit of social conservative Gary Bauer, and even a silly side of the typically stoic Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah.

But, while George W. Bush has often been accused of lacking the gravitas and seriousness to win the presidency, last night the Texas governor seemed almost above the fray as his fellow candidates joked and jostled one another.

The trouble last night seemed to stem from a loose debate format that allowed the candidates to jump in at will, and gave broad discretion to a moderator who rankled some of the lesser candidates with his attention to the front-runners. Things got so bad during one stretch of last night's forum that former ambassador Alan Keyes felt compelled to apologize to the viewers.

''The format of this debate has gotten a little strange,'' Keyes said. ''The last few moments has not been any reflection on our character and disposition.''

Keyes, like the other candidates who have trailed Bush and McCain in the polls, was clearly frustrated that Tim Russert was not allowing them more time to speak.

The first quarter of the debate was so dominated by Bush and McCain that another candidate suggested the two of them meet for dinner afterwards to continue.

Immediately after the debate, aides to Steve Forbes hurried outside the media filing center to complain that the wealthy publisher had been given short shrift.

Keyes didn't wait that long to register his complaint. After dueling repeatedly with Russert over the length of his answers, Keyes broke with debate protocol to take on the moderator. ''I've begun to wonder whether Mr. Russert will declare his candidacy,'' he said.

Even the ultra-composed Hatch had to jokingly vow to fight with Russert for his microphone, as the two men made knowing references to a famous 1980 debate episode involving Ronald Reagan and the Texas governor's father, George Bush.

After Russert asked Hatch, who is registering at about 1 percent in the polls, to make a point ''real fast,'' the senator indignantly balked.

''No, not real fast,'' Hatch said. ''I'm going to stay here and take some time myself.''

''I paid for this microphone, mister,'' Russert said with a smile, invoking Reagan's famous line.

''Well let me tell you something. I'm taking this microphone,'' Hatch replied, as the candidates and audience laughed.

But nothing was as unconventional as the slew of pop culture references by McCain, the war hero with an unusual MTV literacy. McCain was speaking in response to Keyes, who had asked how McCain could have told a TV interviewer that his favorite band was the noisy, angst-ridden, and often profane rock band Nine Inch Nails.

Keyes didn't seem to realize that McCain had been joking. But in answering, McCain described attending the MTV Music Video Awards and seeing ''some very interesting people:'' rappers Puff Daddy and Busta Rhymes, and the teen idols the Backstreet Boys.

To Keyes, such references were out of place at last night's forum. ''Don't you think as leaders we need to be a little more serious?'' he said.