The two major party candidates participated in the first of two presidential debates. The debate was moderated by Jim Lehrer who questioned the candidates. He asked the candidates questions in the following manner: the candidate had 90 seconds to respond, the opponent had 60 seconds to rebut and the candidate had 30 seconds to respond to the rebuttal. There were two minute opening and closing statements. Following the debate, the candidates shook hands with their families and friends and members of the selected audience. The audience in the Bushell theater remained quiet throughout the debate.
The debate focused on domestic issues, especially the role of the federal government in citizens' lives, who should get a tax cut and for what reason and the drug problem, especially among young people.