By Byron McCauley
Cincinnati Enquirer

Since he left public office, former Sen., Bob Dole has become a pitchman for, among other items, Viagra, while supporting his wife's successful bid for the U.S. Senate.

Meanwhile, Bill Clinton has traveled the globe giving speeches for hundreds of thousands of dollars and, lately, questioning the wisdom of war with Iraq. He, too, supported his wife's successful bid for U.S. Senate.

Much to the delight of political observers everywhere, Clinton and Dole, political opponents during the 1996 presidential election, have agreed to participate in a series of 10 mini-debates beginning Sunday on CBS' newsmagazine 60 Minutes.

It will be called "Point-Counterpoint," and revives a 1970 feature of the program. Whether these mini-debates can find their place among the myriad of talking heads on TV these days is another questions.

But Clinton, who toyed with hosting a talk show after his presidency, has already taken the offensive.

"There may be a market for people who want light instead of heat," Clinton told reporters, calling some current talk shows screaming matches with tired ideas.

For starters, Dole, a Republican, and Clinton, a Democrat, will debate the wisdom of a tax cut during wartime.

It will be interesting to see how both candidates tip-toe around issues of public policy, because of the positions their wives hold.

The issues were much different during the 1996 presidential campaign, in which Clinton and Dole debated twice.

Dole, who had a sharp-tongued, often acerbic reputation during nearly three decades in Washington, attacked Clinton's character, including his admission that he once used marijuana.

Though Clinton won the debates and eventually the presidency, Dole performed better than most people expected.

While this is entertainment, not presidential politics, seeing and hearing what both of these political veteran have to say on the current topics of the day will be intriguing and welcome.