SPECIAL FIRING LINE DEBATE, A: RESOLVED: GEORGE BUSH AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE BETTER ABLE TO RUN THE COUNTRY FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS THAN MICHAEL DUKAKIS AND THE DEMOCRATS (TV)
Summary
One in this talk/interview series hosted by William F. Buckley, Jr. This program takes the form of a panel discussion on the following resolution: "George Bush and the Republicans are better able to run the country for the next four years than Michael Dukakis and the Democrats." Speaking in favor of the resolution are William Buckley; Judge Robert Bork; former U.N. ambassador Jeane J. Kirkpatrick; and Congressman Jack Kemp (R-N.Y.). Responding against the resolution are former Senators Gary Hart and George McGovern; the Reverend Jesse Jackson; and Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder (D-Col.). After the moderator, Michael Kinsley, gives an introduction, Buckley officially proposes the resolution and states that the role of government should be "to keep its distance, except when it is indisputably needed." Buckley argues that Dukakis is in favor of big government, citing Dukakis's method of governing Massachusetts as an example. He then reiterates a warning offered by another Massachusetts statesman, John Adams: "Government turns every contingency into an excuse for enhancing power in itself." In presenting the counterargument, Senator Hart asserts that people have always turned to the national government for "opportunity and justice," and refers to a number of domestic policies that were initiated by Democrats. Each panelist then gives an opening statement, which is followed by rebuttal questions from the opposition. Bork calls Dukakis "the most liberal candidate fielded by either major party in this century," and warns that Dukakis's agenda will include the appointment of Supreme Court justices who would impose "a radical, undemocratic regime on the American people." Reverend Jesse Jackson cites, among other issues, Bush's opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment and support of a $3.35 minimum wage, saying that "there is no hope...help...compassion...[or] justice in this lack of leadership." Jeane J. Kirkpatrick offers an explanation of her decision to join the Republican party, and McGovern maintains that although there is a need for conservatism, liberalism has led to many of the social programs which are now embraced by both Republicans and Democrats. McGovern goes on to say that he believes that in the coming years, America will again need a liberal thinker like Dukakis. Kemp argues that "the engine of economic growth" is not government, but rather "free men, free women, free markets, free enterprise, private property, and unleashing the potential for entrepreneurial activity." Schroeder then defines the American dream and states that Dukakis and the Democrats "understand what is going on in the real American family." Next, Buckley and Reverend Jackson debate the relationship between the birth of illegitimate children and poverty, in addition to discussing Bush's selection of Senator Dan Quayle as a running mate; Bork and Hart discuss Dukakis's record as governor of Massachusetts, and the scope of presidential power in regard to covert actions; Kemp and Schroeder go head-to-head on Reagan's tax cuts, the "trickle-down" theory, child care, and issues concerning women in the workplace; and Hart and Buckley present their closing arguments.
(Network affiliation varies; this program was also syndicated from 1966 to 1971 and from 1975 to 1977.)
Cataloging of this program was made possible by Mr. and Mrs. Theodore R. Stanley.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: October 8, 1988
- RUNNING TIME: 1:57:49
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:61230
- GENRE: Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: Conservatism; Liberalism; US - Elections - 1988
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-1999
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Warren Steibel … Producer, Director
- Paul Sweeney … Associate Producer
- Jim McQuinn … Associate Producer
- George Kahookele … Direction (Misc.), Assistant Director
- Dorothy McCartney … Researcher
- William F. Buckley, Jr. … Host, Panelist
- Michael Kinsley … Moderator
- Robert Bork … Panelist
- Gary Hart … Panelist
- Jesse Jackson … Panelist
- Jack Kemp … Panelist
- Jeane J. Kirkpatrick … Panelist
- George McGovern … Panelist
- Patricia Schroeder … Panelist
- John Adams
- George Bush
- Michael Dukakis
- Dan Quayle
- Ronald Reagan