91.   But the pre-debate debate alone has told us something about what the two candidates and their handlers think of their respective strengths and weaknesses.

92.   But the relative conservatism of the two candidates is rarely mentioned by people who have made up their minds.

93.   But that will be a showdown between Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas and former commentator Patrick Buchanan because most of the other candidates choose not to compete.

94.   But the two candidates steered clear of one another.

95.   But the fact remains that the two candidates are probably farther apart on the environment than on any other issue.

96.   But therein lies a key difference between the two candidates.

97.   But the race between the two candidates is very close, and Bush has lost what was a double-digit margin in the polls.

98.   But the two candidates lack the vision and the idealism that generate great expectations within the electorate, especially among young Americans.

99.   But the words spoken by the two candidates lack the vision and the idealism that generate great expectations, especially among young voters.

100.   By listening carefully, voters could actually glean sharp distinctions in the way the two candidates would approach the challenges of the future.