SMACKDOWN!

Who won the war of words in the presidential one-on-one? Three of the nation's top high school debaters rate the debate.

George W. Bush and Al Gore had at each other in a series of three presidential debates. Now we've asked three of the nation's top high school debaters to have at them.

For most Americans, the presidential debates are the first time they can really glimpse the raw candidates--not in a prepared and well-rehearsed speech, not in an expensively produced TV commercial, not as told by some journalist. They are simply the two contenders scrapping with each other one-on-one for the biggest job on earth.

Who won? Many people will make up their minds based on their prior allegiances. The real winner won't be decided until Election Day. We gave our experts a different task: to watch the first debate on October 3, and score the candidates as they would a high school debate. Who attacked and who defended, who answered the arguments, who was vague, who missed opportunities? Here are their ballots.

A Knockout by Gore

MICHAEL KLINGER, 17

Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook, Illinois

Al Gore controlled the debate from the outset. Within the first 10 minutes, the Vice President repeatedly stated his main argument, that Bush's tax-cut proposal would help only the wealthiest Americans. From then on, Gore hammered this issue home aggressively, often speaking beyond the time allotted, despite the protests of the moderator, Jim Lehrer. While this move by Gore risked giving him the appearance of a bully, the Vice President managed to dominate with civility and came across merely as possessing superior leadership qualities. By comparison, Governor Bush often looked frustrated and timid. He was repeatedly unable to respond to Gore's claim that the Governor's proposed tax cut would cater to the wealthiest 1 percent of citizens. And Bush let himself be interrupted by both Gore and Lehrer.

Bush's fallback to claims that Gore used "fuzzy math" or insults about Gore "inventing the calculator" only made him look bad. It seemed that whenever Bush found himself without substance to throw back at Gore, he threw dirt instead.

On other topics Gore simply overwhelmed Bush with his ability to recite information and statistics about oil consumption, education, or welfare. While the Vice President gave innovative impromptu responses to Lehrer's questions, Bush was unable to discuss the intricacies of topics he had not prepared for, and instead reiterated generic campaign slogans. In discussing the military, Kosovo, and relations with NATO allies, Bush's inexperience in foreign policy became quite apparent. Gore scored further gains with decisive supremacy in debates about the Supreme Court and abortion.

I award victory to Vice President Al Gore.

How Gore Scored

ELLIOT TARLOFF, 17

College Preparatory School, Oakland, California 

I was not asked to evaluate the presidential debate as a student, a political analyst, or an affiliate of either party, but as a debater, focusing to some extent on the arguments, but more on delivery and presentation.

Like sports, debates are decided by offense. No contender can win without scoring points. To his credit, Bush played strong defense. He attempted to explain the theory behind his positions and used empirical examples to back up some of his proposals.

But good grief, Gore was in full control of the evening because he sounded presidential. His very demeanor suggested responsibility and control. Gore used his allegedly "fuzzy numbers" to tear apart Bush's claim that Bush also fought for the middle class. Gore drew contrasts showing that for each dollar he would spend on education, Bush and Cheney would spend five dollars on a tax break for those who already make over a million dollars a year. Bush never responded to the numbers and factual references that Gore scattered throughout his speeches. Gore was also predictive; he knew the battles that Bush would try to engage in, and he pre-empted each offensive Bush argument. We saw Gore on full attack, and no amount of defense can measure up to the points Gore scored on issues like Medicare, Social Security, and foreign policy.

Debaters value offense to a much greater extent than undecided voters do. Gore's strategy ran the risk of alienating important voters by seeming too aggressive, but the calculated risk seemed to pay off.

Gore the Gladiator 

NERMIN GHALI, 17

Caddo Parish Magnet School, Shreveport, Louisiana

If you have seen the movie The Gladiator, you know the importance of winning the crowd. In this debate, Gore won the audience. He came across as the confident, knowledgeable man who must always have the last word.

He made two strategic choices. The first was his conscious decision to separate himself from Clinton and his scandal-ridden presidency. This was evident when he said, "I stand as my own man." Second, Gore pointed out issues on which he and Bush agree before drawing distinctions between himself and his rival and showing why his stance was better. A good debater always takes into account her opponent's argument, yet still proves she is right.

Bush struck the audience as aloof, passive, and quiet. Yet he sent the message that he is a "man of the people." "A promise made is a promise kept" is a recurring theme in his speeches, repeated to make it stick in the minds of

viewers. Bush also made two strategic choices. The first was his attack on the gridlock in government. Second, Bush attacked Gore's credibility when he said, "Not only did he invent the Internet, but he invented the calculator," repeatedly referring to Gore's calculations as "fuzzy math."

Bush came closest to what could be termed an attack in his veiled references to Gore's playing fast and loose with the truth. I am not sure these attacks resonated with the target audience of the debate-the undecided voter.

Al Gore won this debate. His self-assured, perhaps even arrogant personality stood in sharp contrast to Bush's soft, almost submissive demeanor. Voters feel more confident voting for the man who looks sure of himself--regardless of whether or not he truly is.