The two men running for the White House have gone head to head in the first round of the US Presidential debates. Al Gore and George W Bush slugged it out for ninety minutes, with all eyes watching to see if either one dropped any political clangers. The televised clashes have been the downfall of many a candidate over the years.

a)C4N: DAVID SMITH

ITN/CBS/ABC/US POOL/MSNBC

****MSNBC - NO RESALE. CLEAR BEFORE REUSE****

CF = B0462819 OR B0460669 20.25.12 TO 20.27.51 MIX/FX

PAB = B0204122

b)EN: JAMES MATES

ITN/US POOL

CF = B0543793 OR B0584229 OR B0557577 19.17.53 TO 19.19.58 MIX/MUTE

PAB = B0558306

c)LTN: JAMES MATES

ITN/REUTERS/US POOL

CF = B0584390 OR B0581112 13.17.29 TO 13.19.47 MIX/MUTE

PAB = B0581332

d)C5F: U'LAY

US POOL

CF = B0494327 00.02.29 TO 00.03.18 FX

PAB = B0584479

=================================================================================

a)C4N: DAVID SMITH

CBS

USA: Massachusetts: Boston:

INT

Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore and wife Tipper waving at rally

LMS Gore and wife on platform as ticket tape falls ZOOM IN

Republican Presidential candidate George W Bush at rally

Gore giving TV interview

ABC

Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore interview SOT

- Enjoyed the debate

Republican Presidential candidate George W Bush interview SOT

- Handled most of the questions as good as I could have answered them

US POOL

Bush and Gore on stage for presidential election debate

Gore

Bush

Gore and Bush on stage

Gore

Bush and Gore

MSNBC - NO RESALE. CLEAR BEFORE REUSE.

SPLIT SCREEN Bush and Gore

US POOL

Bush

Bush and Gore

Bush speaking SOT

- It seems like they can't get it done

Gore speaking SOT

- Claims credit for economic success

Gore and Bush on stage

Bush

Bush and Gore

Bush

Gore

Gore and Bush

Gore

Bush and Gore shakes hands with each other and moderator Tom Lehrer

ITN

Governor John Enger (Bush adviser) interview SOT

- They are both still standing as the debate ends

CBS

Bush on stage at rally

Gore shaking hands with supporters at rally

TX 4.10.2000/C4N

b)EN: JAMES MATES

US POOL

USA: Massachusetts: Boston:

INT

Republican Presidential candidate George W Bush onto platform for presidential election debate

Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore onto platform for debate

LMS Bush and Gore shaking hands and then to podiums

Debate moderator Tom Lehrer

Gore at podium

CMS Gore

Gore and Bush on platform

Al Gore (Democratic Presidential candidate) speaking SOT

- Bush would give tax cuts to the wealthiest 1%

George W Bush (Republican Presidential candidate) speaking SOT

- Not only did he invent the internet but that he invented the calculator / Its fuzzy math

CUTAWAY Gore and Bush at podiums

Bush and Gore at podiums

TLMS Gore and Bush on platform

Bush speaking SOT

- We disagree on the use of US troops abroad

Gore and Bush at podiums

Gore

Bush speaking SOT

- Need a new look at how we conduct ourselves in office / Time for a fresh start after a season of cynicism

Gore on platform

Gore speaking SOT

- Not going to respond in kind

ITN

i/c

US POOL

Gore and Bush families on stage after debate

Bush

Gore hugging man

TX 4.10.2000/EN

c)LTN: JAMES MATES

US POOL

USA: Massachusetts: Boston:

INT

Republican Presidential candidate George W Bush onto platform for presidential election debate

Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore onto platform for debate

LMS Bush and Gore shaking hands and then to podiums

Debate moderator Tom Lehrer

Gore at podium

CMS Gore

TLMS Gore and Bush on platform

Al Gore (Democratic Presidential candidate) speaking SOT

- Bush would give tax cuts to the wealthiest 1%

George W Bush (Republican Presidential candidate) speaking SOT

- Not only did he invent the internet but that he invented the calculator / Its fuzzy math

CUTAWAY Gore and Bush at podiums

Bush and Gore at podiums

Bush speaking SOT

- We disagree on the use of US troops abroad

Gore speaking SOT

- If our national security is at stake we should get involved

Gore and Bush at podiums

Gore

Bush speaking SOT

- Need a new look at how we conduct ourselves in office / Time for a fresh start after a season of cynicism

Gore on platform

Gore speaking SOT

- Not going to respond in kind

ITN

i/c

REUTERS

Campaign spokesmen talking to reporters (2 SHOTS)

US POOL

Gore and Bush families on stage after debate

Bush

Gore hugging man

TX 4.10.2000/LTN

d)C5F: U'LAY

US POOL

USA: Massachusetts: Boston:

INT

Republican Presidential candidate George W Bush and Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore shaking hands and then to podiums for presidential election debate (brief)

Various candidates speaking at podiums (not heard)

Republican Presidential candidate George W Bush speaking SOT

- Need a new look at how we conduct ourselves in office / Time for a fresh start after a season of cynicism

Gore on platform

Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore speaking SOT

- You have attacked my character and credibility and I am not going to respond in kind

GV Men shaking hands then along to shake with host

TX 4.10.2000/C5F