‘Larry King Live:’ The Great NAFTA Debate

On November 9, 1993, Vice President Al Gore and Ross Perot debated the North American Free Trade Agreement on CNN’s “Larry King Live.”

NAFTA was one of President Clinton’s first-year priorities. Perot – who won 19 percent of the popular vote during the 1992 election – hoped to derail the pact, predicting it would hurt workers.

During the debate, Gore was unflappable; Perot, rude (“Quit talking!”).

Their performance shaped popular opinion on an issue that – despite its esotericism – captured the public’s imagination: The 90-minute debate was seen in 11.2 million homes, giving King his largest-ever audience.

Congress approved NAFTA the following week.

See for yourself: Highlights from the Gore-Perot debate are included in the “Larry King Live: The Greatest Interviews” DVD set.

 

On TV

Here’s the prime-time lineup for Tuesday, November 9, 1993:

8: “Full House” (ABC), “Rescue 911” (CBS), “Roc” (Fox), “Victim of Love” (NBC)

8:30: “Phenom” (ABC), “Die Hard 2” (CBS), “Bakersfield P.D.” (Fox)

9: “Roseanne” (ABC), “America’s Most Wanted” (Fox)

9:30: “Coach” (ABC)

10: “Barbara Walters Special” (ABC), “Dateline NBC”

 

The Record

For the week of November 7, 1993:

Top novel: “The Bridges of Madison County” by Robert James Waller

Top song: “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” by Meat Loaf

Top movie: “The Nightmare Before Christmas”

Top TV show: “60 Minutes” (CBS)

In the news: My health reform plan is best!

 

 

Captions: On November 9, 1993, Vice President Al Gore and diminutive Texas billionaire Ross Perot debated NAFTA on CNN’s “Larry King Live.”