DANVILLE, Ky. — It was conversational more than confrontational, a true debate between a couple of seasoned politicians who respected one another as they respectfully disagreed.

        In their only debate of the campaign Thursday night, vice presidential candidates Dick Cheney and Joseph Lieberman discussed the issues like two old friends, frequently calling each other by their first names while seated around a table at Centre College.

Vice presidential candidates Dick Cheney and Joseph Lieberman, with moderator Bernard Shaw. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

        There was none of the jabbing or sniping present in Tuesday's debate between presidential candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore.

        The vice presidential candidates hit on the themes that have come to define the major differences in the presidential race — education, Social Security and how to spend the nation's projected surplus of $4 trillion dollars.

        Mr. Lieberman, a Democratic senator from Connecticut, said the proposed Bush/Cheney tax cut of $1.8 trillion over 10 years could damage the economic progress made by the Clinton administration.

        “If ... the federal government has learned anything over these last eight years, it's we have to be fiscally responsible,” Mr. Lieberman said. “Al Gore and I want us to live within our means.”

        Mr. Cheney, a former Republican congressman from Wyoming, said the American people deserve getting some of their tax dollars back.

        “It's not the government's money. It's your money. There is a big difference here between the two tickets.”

        Seated behind a desk rather than standing at lecterns, the pair took questions from CNN anchor Bernard Shaw, who was also at the desk with his back to the crowd of 1,500.

        The debate opened on a lighthearted note. Mr. Lieberman took most of the two minutes alloted for answering a question about the projected budget surplus by thanking his family, friends and others, and then relayed some advice he received from his 85-year-old mother.

        “"Sweetheart,' as she is prone to call me, "be positive and remember that I will love you no matter what your opponent says about you.'”

        Mr. Cheney promised to be positive.

        “I won't bring up your singing,” he said to Mr. Lieberman, who made national news a few weeks ago after belting out a rendition of “My Way” on the Conan O'Brien late night talk show.

        On the issues, which the two discussed with ease, Mr. Lieberman pledged to support the Legal Pay Act, which will allow women to bring action against employers if they believe they are being underpaid compared to their male co-workers.

        Mr. Cheney said he supports the notion of equal pay, but said the Gore/Lieberman tax plan leaves out stay-at-home moms.

        “Under the Bush plan everybody who pays taxes get tax relief,” Mr. Cheney said. “They like tax credits ... we like tax cuts.”

        On abortion, Mr. Cheney said he and Mr. Bush would work toward reducing the number of abortions performed in the country through encouraging more adoptions, parental notification of teens wanting abortions and supporting a ban on late-term abortions known as partial-birth abortions.

        Mr. Lieberman said he would not support a movement in Congress to overturn the Food and Drug Administration's approval of the RU-486 abortion pill, adding abortion is one of the major differences between the two campaigns.

        “Al Gore and I respect and will protect a woman's right to choose,” Mr. Lieberman said. “We know it's a difficult, personal, moral, medical issue. That is exactly why it ought to be left under our law to a woman, her doctor and her God.”

        Mr. Cheney also charged that Mr. Clinton has deployed too many troops around the world on peacekeeping missions.

        Mr. Lieberman, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Mr. Cheney and Mr. Bush have underestimated the readiness of the military.

        “This administration has begun to transform the military” from the Cold War to being prepared to handle new threats and enemies.

        The readiness of the military has been an issue throughout the race, with the Republicans accusing the Clinton administration of not pledging enough resources to the armed forces.

        Throughout the debate, the candidates exchanged good-natured barbs.

        “You're better off than you were eight years ago,” Mr. Lieberman said, referring to the millions Mr. Cheney made as the chief executive of a Texas oil company.

        “And I can tell you, Joe, the government has nothing to do with it,” Mr. Cheney responded.

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