THE Great DEBATE.

Where do the candidates stand on the issues? How would they deal with the nation's most important problems? Find out in this JS debate!

For the past 40 years, debates have played a key role in U.S. presidential elections. At least three times--in 1960, 1976, and 1980--the debates directly influenced who won and who lost. When candidates make mistakes, it can cost them crucial votes.

There will be a lot at stake this fall when Democrat A1 Gore and Republican George W. Bush go head to head in the debates. Gore and Bush are scheduled to debate three times before Election Day on November 7. The major candidates for Vice President--Democrat Joe Lieberman and Republican Dick Cheney--will square off in two debates.

What will the candidates say? You'll have to tune in to find out. In the meantime, JS has prepared this sneak preview based on past speeches and statements made along the campaign trail.

Moderator: Good evening. Tonight Vice President A1 Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush will discuss their views on education, health care, defense, taxes, and the environment.

Schools and Education

Moderator: Governor Bush, let's begin with you. What do you think needs to be done to improve education in the U.S.?

George W. Bush: When a school district receives federal funds to teach poor children, we expect those children to learn. If they don't, their parents should have the choice of sending them to a different school. The government should give parents money in the form of school vouchers [credits for expenses]. Parents could then use that money to send their children to a private school. I also believe that schools should be controlled at the local level, not by people in Washington.

Moderator: Vice President Gore, do you agree?

Al Gore: No. I will not go along with any plan that would drain taxpayer money away from our public schools and give it to private schools in the form of vouchers. Instead, we must make revolutionary improvements in our public schools the No. 1 priority in the nation. We must make preschool education available to every child. We need to build new public schools and raise teacher salaries. And we can do this by raising federal spending on education by 50 percent.

Health Insurance

Moderator: Let's turn to health insurance. Today, 44.3 million Americans don't have any. Vice President Gore, what would you do about this?

Gore: We should move toward healthcare coverage for all Americans, step by step, starting with children. My plan would cover all children by the year 2004. I will do that by expanding existing government health programs so they cover more children. And I will provide a tax credit for small businesses and individuals who buy their own health insurance. They could get a tax refund for up to 25 percent of their health-care payments.

Moderator: Governor Bush?

Bush: I want to put the consumer--not government--in charge of health-care decisions. My plan would provide low-income working Americans with a $2,000 tax credit so that they can buy their own insurance. I would also make it easier for small businesses to obtain low-cost insurance for their employees.

National Defense

Moderator: Governor Bush, what are your goals for national defense?

Bush: I will work to reduce nuclear weapons and nuclear tension in the world. And, at the earliest possible date, my administration will create missile defenses to guard against nuclear attack and blackmail.

However, the next President will inherit a military in decline. Our military is low on parts, pay, and morale. If called upon by the commander in chief today, two entire divisions of the Army would have to report "Not ready for duty, sir.

Moderator: Vice President Gore?

Gore: That's not only wrong in fact, it's the wrong message to send to our

friends and enemies across the world. America's fighting forces are the best-trained, best-equipped, and best-led fighting force in the world. I will make sure they stay that way. I plan to increase military pay, modernize equipment, and provide more money for veteran's benefits. I would also develop the technology necessary to create a missile defense for our country.

Taxes

Moderator: Let's turn to taxes. The federal government is now taking in more money than it spends each year, creating a budget surplus [excess]. How should that money be used, Mr. Vice President?

Gore: I plan to provide tax cuts to families in need--our working families. These cuts would help them save for college or pay for child care. I also plan to reform the estate tax so that people can pass on small businesses to their children. And I want to change the "marriage penalty," which makes married couples pay more taxes than unmarried people. My opponent, on the other hand, wants to give a huge tax cut to the wealthy. That would drive our country back into debt and ruin our good economy.

Moderator: Governor Bush?

Bush: My plan calls for tax cuts to help all Americans. I believe that one quarter of the budget surplus should be returned to taxpayers. Otherwise, the federal government will end up spending that money. My plan will double the tax credit that each family gets for its children, eliminate the estate tax, reduce the marriage penalty, promote savings for education, and boost charitable donations. The largest percentage of these cuts would go to workers with the lowest incomes. As a result, 6 million families would no longer pay federal income tax.

Environment

Moderator: And now for our final question. Governor Bush, how would you protect the environment?

Bush: I believe the current approach to environmental protection fails to reward new ideas. I would keep a strong federal role in environmental protection while turning authority over to states and local communities. We must also use financial incentives to develop new technologies that will make the environment cleaner. Finally, I will make the federal government--the country's biggest polluter--comply with all environmental laws.

Moderator: Mr. Vice President?

Gore: I have been committed to environmental protection for more than two decades and have even written a book about it. As your President, I will look for environmental programs that also help create jobs. I will promote cooperation between government and businesses to reduce pollution. And I will help America become the leader in creating new technologies that protect the environment.

Moderator: Thank you, gentlemen, we're out of time. Audience, the candidates have given us a lot to think about. But remember, we have not even touched on important issues like gun control and foreign policy. Get informed, discuss the issues--then cast your vote!