Informal Exchange With Reporters on the Presidential Candidates Debate
Q.
Mr. President, who won the debate last night? Who won the debate?
The President. I think the Vice
President was excellent. I think that he was the only one who was really
stating facts and truth.
Q.
He didn't know which missiles and -- how come he didn't know what programs to
cut from the defense budget?
The President. I didn't hear what you -- --
Q.
He didn't know about the defense budget.
The President. What?
Q.
He was mixed up on the defense budget.
Mr.
Fitzwater. Must mean Dukakis, huh?
The President. You mean Dukakis? What?
Q.
George Bush, on what weapons he would cut from the defense budget.
Mr.
Fitzwater. Something weapon -- I don't know. I don't know what she's saying --
something about the defense budget, but it's hard to tell. I think we'd better
go.
The President. I think the simplest
statement about the defense budget and who is to blame for what is happening is
the fact that over a 5-year period the Congress cut $125 billion from the
budgets I've presented, but added $250 billion to the nondefense
spending.
Q.
How did Dukakis do?
The President. What?
Q.
How did Dukakis do in the debate?
The President. He didn't thrill me.
Note: The exchange began
at