Gore and Bush Spar Politely in Second Debate

— -- After a civil start, George W. Bush and Al Gore traded sharp jabs in their second debate. Gore hit Bush’s Texas record. Bush said Gore stretches the truth. Follow our expanded coverage.

By Carter M. YangABCNEWS.comOct. 11— Republican candidate George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore are sparring over foreign policy tonight in their second presidential

debate.

Although the race for the White House has taken on an increasingly bitter and personal tone in recent days, the candidates limited their criticisms to each other’s policies, rather than personal characteristics.

The first half of the debate was largely dominated by a discussion of foreign policy. Bush renewed his criticism that the Clinton-Gore administration has presided over a military in decline and over-deployed the nation’s armed forces.

“I’d very much like to get our troops out of there,” Bush said, referring to U.S. troops currently involved in peacekeeping operations in the Balkans. “Our military is made to fight and win a war.”

Bush pledged to “rebuild” the military and “be judicious” in his deployment of troops if elected president.

But Gore defended the need for “nation building,” saying the nation and the world are at a decisive moment in history.

“Are we going to step up to the plate?” he asked, as he defended the peacekeeping deployments in Kosovo and elsewhere in the world.

‘Guiding Principles’

Tonight’s forum began without discord as each candidate answered moderator Jim Lehrer’s question about what their “guiding principles” would be if elected president Nov. 7.

“The first question is what’s in the best interest of the United States — what’s in the best interests of our people,” answered Bush. “I’ve been able to set clear goals.”

The Texas governor said those goals were improving the nation’s education system, reforming Social Security and rebuilding the military.

“I see our greatest national strength coming from what we stand for in the world,” Gore responded. “It is a question of values.”

The vice president cited standing up for human rights abroad and enforcing civil rights at home as ways in which he would further the nation’s values.

Showdown in Winston-Salem

With Election Day less than four weeks away, tonight’s debate — the second of three forums — is a potentially decisive moment in the hard-fought campaign.

The 90-minute forum is taking place inside Wait Chapel at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. Unlike in the first debate, where the two opponents stood behind podiums, Gore and Bush are seated at a table across from moderator Jim Lehrer of PBS. Each candidate will have two minutes to answer each of Lehrer’s questions and one minute to rebut his opponent’s response.

Flashing a confident thumbs-up to reporters in Greensboro, N.C. this afternoon, Bush said he would “tell people what’s on my heart and on my mind.”

According to a new ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll, the Republican nominee has improved his position among likely voters, claiming a narrow 48 percent to 45 percent edge over his Democratic rival. The survey showed Bush gaining ground on a number of key election-year issues, erasing Gore’s lead on Medicare and education while bolstering his own advantage as the candidate voters most trust to hold down taxes.

Not wanting to risk alienating voters by appearing arrogant, Gore tonight is putting forth a kinder, gentler image, refraining from the overly aggressive manner he exhibited during the first debate.

“May I respond,” Gore asked Lehrer at one point. “I don’t want to jump in.”

Tonight’s debate began at 9 p.m. ET and and is nationally televised. Gore and Bush will meet on Oct. 17 for a third and final debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. That event will feature a town-hall meeting format.