PART I: INTRODUCTIONS
September 4, 2003

The first presidential debate between candidates seeking the Democratic nomination opened with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson welcoming the candidates and the moderators laying out the ground rules for the debate.

 

Online NewsHour Special Report: The Democratic Debate The Full Debate Part I: Gov. Bill Richardson, Debate Rules, Introductions Part II: Iraq and the War on Terror Part III: The U.S. Economy, Trade and Employment Part IV: Health Care Part V: Immigration and Migrant Workers Sept. 5, 2003: Shields and Brooks offer analysis of the Democratic Debate. Sept. 4, 2003: Update: Democratic Candidates Tackle Iraq, Economy in First Debate Browse the NewsHour's coverage of the Politics and Campaigns   The Democratic National Party	BILL RICHARDSON: Welcome to New Mexico. It is fitting that the first ever bilingual presidential debate is happening in New Mexico. Our multicultural population truly represents the future of our nation and the Democratic Party. It is my hope that the rest of the country finds out tonight what we already know in New Mexico and in the West: that Hispanic voters care deeply about issues such as jobs and economic growth, health care, technology and national security, in addition to traditional concerns like immigration and civil rights. (Speaking in Spanish) There is nothing more important on any issue than education. And in New Mexico, we're investing in our classrooms, not administration. We cut taxes to stimulate economic growth. We pay for our tax cuts. We're only one of two states with a budget surplus. We're tied for first in the country for job growth. We're an example of what's possible with a right agenda and the right leadership--Democratic leadership. And we can do the same in Washington. I challenge Hispanics across the country to mobilize and energize our communities for next year's election. I want to thank the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and their great leader, Congressman Ciro Rodriguez, for helping to organize this event. I also want to thank the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Terry McAuliffe, for his outreach to the Hispanic community. And on behalf of the citizens of New Mexico, a state we're all very proud of, welcome to the land of enchantment. Thank you. RAY SUAREZ: Let me take a moment to explain some of our ground rules. There will be no opening or closing statements tonight. The candidates have been asked to keep their answers at or under a minute. At a minute, a warning light will go off. We will not interrupt an answer unless it goes more than one minute and 30 seconds. However, we will be keeping close tabs on how much time each candidate has actually used so that if a candidate has a long answer in an early section of the debate, he or she will get less time to respond in the next segment. In this way, we can keep a close eye on the time and adjust for fairness throughout the debate, not just at the end. MARIA ELENA SALINAS: (Speaking in Spanish) Now, let's meet the candidates. The order of the podiums was chosen through a random drawing. We'll begin from my left to the right. Florida Senator Bob Graham. Missouri Congressman Dick Gephardt. Former ambassador and former Illinois senator, Carol Moseley Braun. The only woman in the group, I might add. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich. North Carolina Senator John Edwards. Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman. And the former governor of Vermont, Howard Dean.