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Saturday Morning News

GOP Debate Offers Last Showing for Candidates Before Primary

Aired January 15, 2000 - 9:06 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Republican presidential candidates will debate later today in Iowa. The state caucuses are a week from Monday, and anyone hoping to catch up with George W. Bush could use a good showing to build up some momentum for the New Hampshire primary on February 1.

CNN's senior White House correspondent, John King, is in Iowa with a preview. Hi, John.

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Kyra.

That's right, this statewide televised debate here offers the six Republican candidates their last chance for a live television audience before next Monday's Iowa caucuses. As you mentioned, Texas Governor George W. Bush the clear front-runner.

Joining him on the stage here in five hours will be Arizona Senator John McCain, publisher Steve Forbes, Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, Christian conservative activist Gary Bauer, and former Reagan administration official Alan Keyes.

Governor Bush the clear front-runner here in Iowa, way ahead in most of the polls as he campaigns here heading into the final week. His message to supporters, Don't be complacent.

Shopping for votes, Iowa style.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Now hear this. Everybody should attend their caucuses a week from Monday. And while you're there, remember, George W. Bush came to ask for the vote. Now, hear this.

KING: But as Governor Bush enjoyed some textbook retail politicking in tiny Glenwood, several new TV ads underscored the increasingly pointed Republican campaign debate over taxes, spending, and Social Security.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, TV COMMERCIAL)

BUSH: We can cut taxes for working families and protect Social Security. Some people say we can't. I say we've got to. Help settle the debate. Please go to the caucuses Monday. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Rival John McCain says Bush's big tax cut would short- change Social Security.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, TV COMMERCIAL)

SEN. JOHN McCAIN (R-AZ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: There's one big difference between me and the others. I won't take every last dime of the surplus and spend it on tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy. I'll use the bulk of the surplus to secure Social Security far into the future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Elderly voters are among the most reliable caucus-goers, and Bush is clearly concerned the criticism might take hold, and not only here in Iowa.

(on camera): The Bush campaign is preparing a mailing to 100,000 households in New Hampshire. It argues the federal budget surplus is plenty big, not only to save Social Security, but also to pay for the governor's $483 billion tax cut plan.

(voice-over): Bush aides say McCain's criticism might just as well have been written by the Clinton White House.

BUSH: And the reason why I need to repeat this is because we have a president who's done a good job of saying, If you cut taxes, people will lose their Social Security benefits, which is not the truth.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KING: Look for that debate over taxes and spending to continue in this afternoon's debate. The Iowa caucuses critical, of course, because it is the first official vote in the nominating process. That vote takes place one week from Monday. Eight days after that, the critical kickoff New Hampshire primary -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Thanks, John.

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