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Third Debate: Briefing Book, I
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Third Debate: Briefing Book, I
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The original documents are located in Box 3, folder "Third Debate: Briefing Book I" of the
White House Special Files Unit Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 3 of the White House Special Files Unit Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE PRESIDENT
BRIEFING BOOK I
;
LAST DEBATE
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 20, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
MIKE DUVAL Mike
SUBJECT:
Last Debate
Briefing Materials
Attached are two very brief books of briefing material for
the last debate.
Book I contains a recommended first answer, themes and
rebuttal material, and closing statement. We strongly
recommend that you concentrate on this book. In our
judgment these are the points you should make in the debate.
Book II has some background materials on subjects which may
come up.
Attachments
OPENING ANSWER
FIRST ANSWER
[Answer specific question in one minute or less, then say:]
Mr.
, I hope you' 11 ask a follow-up question, if
you want to.
But at the outset of this last debate, let me say this - - I asked
for these debates because I felt Mr. Carter and I owed the people
a full presentation of our different positions. But with 10 days
to go in this election, that hasn't happened. Mr. Carter has been
running for President as long as I have been serving as President,
but the people still don't know what he would do as President.
We know of little he did as Governor of Georgia. We know he
has no foreign or defense policy experience at all. In his campaign
and in these debates he has talked only in general terms. The
moment of truth has come.
I hope he, and you on the panel, will both help make these debates
successful by assuring the American people that specific questions
get specific answers.
Mr. Carter wants to reorganize government -- but he won't say how.
He wants to cut the defense budget, but he won't say how. He wants
to raise spending and balance the budget, but he won't say how.
Page 2
He wants to reform the tax laws, but changes his specifics everyday.
The American people deserve to know more than Mr. Carter has given
them. That surely is what these debates are for.
I think my record is clear. It is a record of honor restored to
the White House. It is a record of peace. Inflation cut in half.
More new jobs than any peacetime period in American history. And
tax cuts proposed for every middle income family.
After the comeback of the last two years, I think most Americans
are feeling good about America. Mr. Carter promises to change things
drastically. I think it's time for him to tell us precisely what
he would do differently and how he would do it.
THEMES
PEACE
As a young man entering public service, my inspiration
was Senator Arthur Vandenburg who used to say: "It's easier
to be critical than correct. " Mr. Carter might think about that.
There is one overpowering truth about America today: We
are at peace.
- -
And I will maintain our strength so we can stay at peace.
--
We are at peace -- and no Americans are fighting and
dying anywhere on this earth.
- -
We are at peace -- and every American family knows
what it means that there is no draft.
--
We are at peace -- and we are using our diplomatic
skills and initiative to keep the peace.
Mr. Carter, with no foreign policy experience of any kind,
can criticize. But I believe that most American are feeling good
about this country. And one reason is that we are at peace and
we're strong enough to stay at peace.
DB/10-20-76
TAXES
My proposals would cut the taxes for every middle-income
family in America -- by raising the personal exemption from
$750 to $1000. The result would be a substantial tax cut for
all families.
Mr. Carter is all over the lot.
--
He has said he would raise taxes on everybody making
over $13,000. Now he says he's changed his mind.
He has said he wants to eliminate the mortgage interest
deduction, which would raise the taxes on nearly every
American homeowner.
He has said he wants to close the tax loopholes on
the very rich. But these are the very loopholes he has
used on his own tax forms.
All of Mr. Carter's talk about tax reform is a shell game.
His support of Humphrey-Hawkins, comprehensive national health
insurance and the Democratic Platform, which he wrote, would
vastly increase spending. That means higher taxes, not lower.
The difference is simple. Mr. Carter wants higher spending
which will mean higher taxes. I want to control spending and give
middle-income Americans a tax cut.
DB/10-20-76
EMPLOYMENT
This Administration will never be satisfied if there is one
American who wants a job but can't find one.
And I think the record of the past two years proves that.
In 17 months we have created 4 million new jobs -- that's a
record. That's more new jobs than in any peacetime period in
American history.
--
We've done it without a single combat job.
--
We've done it without drafting a single person.
--
We've done it while cutting inflation in half for
the 88 million American who are working.
During the same time the people entering the work force
looking for jobs has also expanded at a record rate. We'll meet
our goal of providing a good job for anyone who wants to work.
We know it can be done because we've done it.
Mr. Carter's drastic answer is the Humphrey-Hawkins Bill
which will rapidly increase spending which can only result in higher
inflation or higher taxes, or both.
Sure, every economic recovery has its pauses. But I think
most Americans know the economy has been getting much, much better.
I think most Americans are feeling good about America. And I don't
think they want the kind of drastic change Mr. Carter seems to want.
DB/10-20-76
EXPERIENCE (Foreign Policy)
I just wonder what the American people think -- what America's
allies think -- and what America's enemies think -- when they
hear a Presidential candidate with no foreign policy experience
--
propose slashing the defense budget;
--
call for removing U.S. forces from Europe;
-
call for removing U.S. forces from Korea;
--
waffle on the B-1 bomber, an essential weapon
in the strategic balance of power with the Russians;
--
and, extend a friendly hand to the Communist
Parties of Western Europe.
My reaction is to ask you to reassure the people by telling
them who your Secretary of State would be. I agree it wouldn't
be traditional to do so; but neither has it been an American tradition
to run for President without any experience whatsoever in foreign
or defense policy.
DB/10-20-76
EXPERIENCE (Georgia)
You know a man by what he's done. I think the people know what
to expect from me from the steady, stable comeback we've
experienced since I became President.
I think it's fair to ask what Mr. Carter has done:
-- In foreign affiars and national defense
the answer is nothing. He would be the
least experienced President in this century,
coming to office in history's most dangerous
hour.
- - In domestic affairs, his record as Governor
of Georgia, is hardly reassuring. Government
employment went up 25%; government spending
went up 50%; the State government debt went
up 20%.
You know a man by what he's done. And on that basis I'm not
sure America can afford Mr. Carter.
DB/10-20-76
COMEBACK - FEELING GOOD
Mr. Carter has said he can't think of a single thing I've done
as President. How about peace? How about 4,000,000 jobs?
How about inflation cut in half? How about honor restored in the
White House? I think Mr. Carter makes a mistake to belittle
America's comeback. I think the American people are feeling
good about America. And I don't think they want the kind of
drastic change Mr. Carter represents.
######
DB / 10-20/76
REBUTTALS
REBUTTAL POINTS
If Carter ducks question: I don't believe Mr. Carter answered
the question. I regret that he doesn't take seriously the people's
right to know what he would do as President.
If Carter is overly critical: Mr. Carter's continual criticism
might be a little more effective if just once he would tell
us in specific terms what he would do as President.
If Carter talks of national shame, lack of respect, etc: I
don't think a candidate for President should rundown America.
I think it's wrong to say Americans are ashamed. I think it's
wrong to call Americans cowards. I think most Americans are
feeling good about America.
If Carter or others talk of low-level campaign. I believe most
Americans feel good about America. I regret that Mr. Carter's
campaign has sunk to personal innuendo. There's a simple way
to improve the campaign and that is for Mr. Carter to end his
harping and start telling America what he would do as President - -
in specific terms.
PAGE 2
If Carter talks of Nixon-Ford or the last eight years. I'm
sure Mr. Carter would prefer to run against my predecessor.
But (look at Carter), I am not Richard Nixon. I proudly run on
the record of the last two years. when we have restored honor
to the White House, brought peace, cut inflation in half, and
created 4 million new jobs.
If Carter attacks Kissinger: Secretary Kissinger is my Secretary
of State and he will be my Secretary of State. I know some Americans
disagree with him but most realize he is a superb negotiator
and diplomat who has helped achieve a world at peace. A more
relevant question is this: Given Mr. Carter's total lack of
experience in foreign and defense policy, who will be his
Secretary of State. I know it's not traditional to name one
in the campaign; but neither is it traditional to run for President
without any foreign policy or defense experience of any kind.
If Carter or questioner raises Eastern Europe statement: I
mispoke in the second debate. The military domination of
Eastern Europe by the Soviet Union is obvious. But the people
of Eastern Europe will never allow their hearts or minds to be
dominated. Their aspiration for human freedom is a cornerstone
of American foreign policy and will forever be. It has been a
PA GE 3
part of my public record for 28 years -- and I'm sure no one
can seriously doubt that. Frankly, I think the issue reminds
us that my 28 year record of public service and foreign and
defense policy experience stands in marked contrast to Mr. Carter,
who has no experience in this area of any kind. Inexperience
is not a qualification to be leader of the free world.
If John Dean comes up: Mr. Dean's allegations are absolutely
false. I have been confronted by Mr. Dean and Mr. Carter with
a host of charges in an effort to destroy my reputation for
integrity. The Watergate prosecutor has dismissed them.
More important, I probably have been more thoroughly investigated
than anyone in American history during my Vice-Presidential
confirmation. So I doubt that many Americans are going to be
taken in by a host of election campaign smears. I think the
American people know an honest man when they see one.
My integrity means more to me than any election, so I must tell
you that I resent the charges very deeply.
If Dole's comment about Democratic wars comes up: It would be
grossly unfair to blame America's wars on any one Party. What
I think Mr. Dole was saying -- and this is a fair statement
that Republican Presidents have done a very good job of keeping
the peace. America is at peace now. We have the strength
PAGE 4
and experience to keep the peace. With Mr. Carter's desire
to slash the defense budget and with his total lack of
experience, frankly I don't know whether he can keep the peace
or not.
If General Brown's statement comes up: I disagree with his
comments. Our alliance with Israel is a vital asset to this
country - - one which we cherish and will continue to do so. I
have a certain sympathy for people who have trouble explaining
themselves clearly. I would never make him my Press Secretary,
but he is a distinguished military leader who loves his country.
I have discussed his remarks with him and he knows that any
repeat will not be tolerated.
DB/10-20-76
CLOSING STATEMENT
CLOSING STATEMENT
I want to thank the League of Women Voters for sponsoring
these debates. They have been historic -- not so much because
this is the first time in our 200 year history an incumbent President
has debated his opponent. These debates have been historic
because this election is historic.
Seldom have we had a more important election in this
country. Seldom have the stakes been higher. Seldom have the
differences on programs and experience of the candidates been
clearer.
Our country has been through an extraordinary decade of tension - -
culminating in a betrayal of the people's trust by their highest
leaders.
In August of 1974, our people had lost trust in their leadership,
had lost faith in the economy, and had lost that spirit of optimism
which had always buoyed our nation.
We have come a long way back. Inflation has been cut in half.
4,000,000 new jobs in 17 months is a peacetime record. This
country is at peace again - - around the world -- and here at
home. And the people know that honor has been restored to their
White House.
Page 2
When you remember the despair and recrimination of two
years ago, it is an incredible comeback. The question
now is whether we keep on this steady course to greater
prosperity for all Americans -- or pursue an uncertain
future with untested leadership.
If we really are feeling good about America, then this
election is vital. To stay on our steady course, I need
your help. I need your vote.
In the ten days remaining before Election Day I ask you to
think about this country we love, to think about the
importance of experienced leadership, to think about the
kind of government best designed to assure the stable
prosperity of each American family.
I am confident that your decision will be right for America.
Thank you.