"Folks, we can build that bridge to the 21st century big enough and strong enough for all of us to walk across. And I hope that you will help me build it," Clinton said.

Dole, who many said needed a dramatic performance here to turn the race in his favor in the last month, closed his remarks with an appeal to the "young people of America."

"We are the greatest country on the face of the Earth...This is important business, this election is important. I ask for your support," Dole said. "And if you really wanted to get involved, just tap into my home page www.dolekemp96.org."

After the debate, both sides predictably showered their respective candidates with praise.

"The President laid out very clearly what he has done and where he wants to go from here," said Democratic National Committee chair and Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.).

White House Press Secretary Michael D. McCurry, while admitting that Dole performed well, said the campaign was happy with its candidate's performance.

"We did everything we wanted to do," McCurry said after the debate. "The president had a very strong articulate argument for the 21st century."

Dole supporters equally praised their candidate, who frequently showed flashes of his characteristic wit.

"[Dole's humor] has always been there," said Gov. Christine Todd Whitman (R-N.J.) in an interview after the debate. "I thought Clinton looked very tense."

And her Republican colleague across the Delaware River, Gov. Tom Ridge (R-Penn.), said "[Dole] put the president on the defensive for most of the night."

Clinton and Dole will meet again Oct. 16 in San Diego, where they will both participate in a "town-hall" style debate to be moderated again by Lehrer