Undecided voters tune in

By Yael Kohen

and Jeremy W. Peters

Daily Staff Reporters

Many undecided voters watching last night's presidential debate between Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore were expecting to come away with a clear picture in their minds as to whom they would vote for.

Unfortunately, that was not the case.

Gore, a seasoned debater known for his caustic attacks on previous opponents, would walk away from the podium last night having a distinct edge on Bush, a less experienced debater who has been criticized for fumbling his words.

Instead, little is likely to be resolved in undecided voters' minds after last night's showdown.

"I think Gore won, but Bush beat the spread," said Zack Schram, an LSA senior who said he supports Gore.

"I don't know if there was any runaway winner," visiting assistant Political Science Prof. Margret Howard said. "All in all - not bad for Gore, not bad for Bush."

That seemed to be the consensus. Gore was the better speaker, the more adroit debater, but Bush outperformed expectations and dispelled the widely held view that he is an inept orator.

For those who have already decided whom they will vote for, the debates only fortified their opinions. But for undecided voters, the absence of a clear winner may force them to choose the candidate based on the policy issues they deem the most important, rather than who won this debate.

"For the truly undecided voter, I think there's a toss up," Howard said. She added that it really depends on what the independent and undecided voters think are the most important issues, based on their economic and employment circumstances.

But there are still two more debates that can help sway undecided voters.

"Bush did reasonably well in accomplishing what he needed to do," political science Prof. Greg Markus said.

Gore, who is already known as a "tenacious" debater, "probably doesn't benefit from a debate like this," Markus said. "I didn't see anything that was particularly problematic" for Bush.

There were two instances in which each candidate slightly fumbled.

Gore seemed aggressive and interruptive, which might have worked slightly against him, political science Prof. Chris Achen said, but as the debate progressed Gore improved.

And except for a few fumbles on foreign policy and education issues, Markus said, Bush came out poised as a serious candidate capable of holding the executive office.

"I think Bush scored points in this debate," said Ari Melber, an LSA junior who said he is voting for Gore. "I think he started out shaky ... but after the first 15 minutes, Bush was hanging with every exchange."

But Bush's performance in the debate was not enough to sway Melber to the GOP ticket.

"Gore won style-wise, but Bush won substance-wise," said LSA freshman Brad Belsky, a Bush supporter. "Going in, analysts predicted Gore would easily win. However, I felt Bush held his own."

Achen said he liked that the debate was "almost entirely focused on the issues." He said voters who have just begun to pay attention to the election could watch the debates and learn about the positions of the two candidates.

NORMAN NG/Daily

University students watch the debate in an Oakland Avenue apartment.