PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE BRINGS EYES OF NATION TO ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS - Speaking to the audience of about 600 people just before the start of the presidential debate Sunday night, Presidential Debate Commission Co-Chairman Paul Kirk set the stage for what was about to happen.

"Welcome to the opening night of the rest of the campaign," said Kirk.

And indeed the eyes of the nation were on Washington University in St. Louis where the athletic field house was transformed into a television studio for the evening. The first of three presidential debates planned this month, it was viewed by over 70 million people, making it the most widely viewed presidential debate ever.

Inside the athletic complex was like a who's who of national media personalities that included such notables as Tom Brokaw, Morley Safer, Robert Novak, Bernard Shaw, John Chancellor, and Jeff Greenfield.

The significance of the event was also evident by the fact the top aides to all three presidential candidates were there. President Bush's list of aides included Chief of Staff and former Secretary of State James Baker, who Bush briefly noted during the debate would be moved to focus on domestic affairs in a second term.

There was also an array of political leaders from around the country that included Republicans like Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas and Housing Secretary Jack Kemp - both considered to be GOP presidential contenders in 1996 - and Labor Secretary Lynn Martin.

Democratic names included New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, and House Speaker Thomas Foley, who sat next to House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt of St. Louis during the debate.

Each of the four major networks had platforms in the rear of the field house, doing live telecasts before the debate and then afterwards. Each had a crew of make up people and technicians which are essential to live television broadcasts of this magnitude.

The media center housed over 1,000 representatives from all over the U.S. and some foreign countries. It was the scene both before and after the debate for comments from party leaders and campaign officials. Referred to as "spin doctors," who have the job of putting a favorable view of the debate out to the public for their candidate, they wandered around the media center both well before and after the debate.

When the debate ended, President Bush, Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, and Texas billionaire Ross Perot all left the field house to speak to supporters at nearby rallies. As expected, all three said they were pleased with their performances and proclaimed victory.

When the 90-minute debate ended, the candidates were joined on stage by family members. Each candidate greeted the four panelists that had asked questions, and then spent time talking with supporters.

Clinton was the last to leave, staying around for 25 minutes after the end, as he and Hilary signed autographs on the debate programs.

As soon as Clinton left the hall, workers immediately began dismantling the set to transport to another debate site.

The field house was enclosed with a blue curtain, the floor was covered with red carpet. The stage had a blue floor, blue background and border, and podiums specially constructed for each candidate.

On the floor on the field house were chairs for about 600 people. Each candidate received one fourth of the tickets to distribute and the presidential debate commission controlled the other fourth.

Among those watching the debate were Blair Moran of Sikeston, who is chairman of Missouri Veterans for Bush, and U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson and his wife Joann.

Mrs. Bush was escorted into the field house by Gov. John Ashcroft and his wife Janet, and Sen. John Danforth.

Ashcroft called Bush a clear winner of the debate, with Perot second. He said the debate showed that when Clinton defines change "he means more taxes and spending."

Kemp said Perot did "surprisingly well" with his populist appeal. "Bush gets helped by Perot doing well," declared Kemp.

One hour before the debate, the field house was locked as a security measure. Several of the debate commission officials that spoke before the debate went on the air, and reminded the audience that this was primarily a television event.

Jim Lehrer, moderator for the three journalists asking questions, told the audience "the four of us and all of you are the most irrelevant people here tonight." He encouraged the audience to limit applause.

About 15 minutes before the event, Mrs. Bush and several family members entered the field house and were greeted with applause. Ten minutes later Mrs. Clinton and her daughter Chelsea, who was on crutches, entered the gym, spoke briefly with Mrs. Bush, and then took their seats.

Just before going on the air, Lehrer introduced the candidates. Perot was introduced first, followed by Clinton who was in the center podium, and Bush on the right. The candidates were very cordial, shook hands with each other, and all appeared relaxed and ready for the opportunity to offer their views to the American people.

Candidates were greeted with a standing ovation as the debate went on the air.

The athletic complex was fenced off with only people holding tickets admitted near the entrance. Outside the field house, there were people selling campaign souvenirs for all three candidates, and there were also protesters on a variety of issues. Libertarian Presidential Candidate Andre Marrou and a group of supporters were present to question why Perot was given an opportunity to join the debate and he was not.

But for many around the grounds of the Washington University campus it was a typical fall, Sunday afternoon. Plenty of students were out enjoying the day - seeming oblivious to the major campaign event in their neighborhood.