Perot, Gore Face Off

Vice President Al Gore '69 and former presidential candidate H. Ross Perot squared off last night on national television in a debate on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

More than 700 people crowded into the ARCO Forum at the Kennedy School of Government to watch the show "Larry King Live," according to Forum Director Heather P. Campion.

Gore called NAFTA, an agreement that would create a free trade zone between the United States, Canada and Mexico, "a good deal for our country."

Gore argued that NAFTA would bring a surge of exports from the United States to Mexico, creating additional jobs.

"By removing those barriers, we will have a larger trade surplus with Mexico than any other country in the world," Gore said.

But Perot disagreed, arguing that the agreement would exacerbate unemployment in the United States.

"The problem is that this is not good for the people of [our] country," Perot said.

Perot said NAFTA would give American companies the incentive to leave the United States and move to Mexico to seek a cheaper labor force.

Gore also discussed the benefits for the United States outside of North America.

"Mexico is a trade opportunity," said Gore. "We can use leverage to drop barriers against our productivity all over the world."

If the agreement fails, Gore promised, "we will give six months notice and we're out."

Gore questioned Perot's motives for opposing NAFTA. "He will benefit financially either way," he said.

But Perot insisted that he "will put my country's interests ahead of making money...I don't ever want to make money at the expense of other people."

Harvard faculty members last night said Gore presented a stronger.

Gurney Professor of Political Science RobertPutnam said, "I thought that the vice presidentdid very well, better than I expected, both intone and substance."

Harvard students who attended the broadcastwere also largely in favor of Gore's position.

Chip Rosenfeld, a Kennedy School graduatestudent said, "Vice President Gore's politicalstock has gone up by about a factor of 10 and he'sdispelled the stereotype of him as a woodenpolitican. It was basically a one-two punchknockout."

"I thought that Gore was the clear winner,"said Jomo A. Thorne '97.

Many viewers at the Kennedy School said theywere disappointed by the many interruptions duringthe debate.

Warburg Professor of Economics Emeritus JohnKenneth Galbraith called the debate "a marvel ofincoherence.

Gurney Professor of Political Science RobertPutnam said, "I thought that the vice presidentdid very well, better than I expected, both intone and substance."

Harvard students who attended the broadcastwere also largely in favor of Gore's position.

Chip Rosenfeld, a Kennedy School graduatestudent said, "Vice President Gore's politicalstock has gone up by about a factor of 10 and he'sdispelled the stereotype of him as a woodenpolitican. It was basically a one-two punchknockout."

"I thought that Gore was the clear winner,"said Jomo A. Thorne '97.

Many viewers at the Kennedy School said theywere disappointed by the many interruptions duringthe debate.

Warburg Professor of Economics Emeritus JohnKenneth Galbraith called the debate "a marvel ofincoherence.