The two rival camps agreed to a televised debate, which occurred on October 6, 1986 in Houston, Texas. Reggie Bashur recalls that at the debate, the two candidates did not want to shake hands, but did so for the press: "And so they finally extended hands. Clements says, 'Well, Mark, your cartridge is dry', and White looked at Clements and said, 'Bill, you ready for business?.' Bashur also recalled that he said to Clements during the debate prep: "Why don't we get under White's skin? Let's get him off stride. When you get any kind of question about the budget, segue into that we've got to live within our means and cut waste." I suggested that Clements say, "To cut waste, I'll sell the jet." I suggested [we] itemize what is in the jet. You could say, "And I'll sell that $500 gold-platted ashtray, and I'll sell that $35,000 carpet, and I'll sell"-fifteen items. I wrote them all out. Clements takes that piece of paper and sticks it in his pocket, and that's the last I hear about it." Bashur was pleased when this debate preparation paid a big dividend for Clements. The first question to Clements was about balancing the budget by cutting waste: "You could just see it click with Clements. He had a big smile on his face as he pulled the list out of the jacket, and he's got my piece of paper with the items. He doesn't just pick one or two; he reads all fifteen! White got beet red. Clements won the debate. White never got back on track." (1) Gubernatorial Debate on KPRC-TV NBC 2 Studios on October 6, 1986   (2) White Campaign Commercial from October 1, 1986   (3) White Campaign Commercials from October 28, 1986   (4) Clements Campaign Commercial   (5) White Campaign Commercial from September 12, 1986   (6) News Segments on the 1986 Texas Gubernatorial Election   (7) Governor White's speech at the Texas Democratic Party Convention from June 28, 1986   (8) Post-Debate TV Interviews from October 6, 1986   (9) White Campaign Commercial from February 13, 1986   (10) Utility Rates   (11) Clements for Governor Campaign Commercials Compilations from October 11, 1986