Saturday, August 24, 2002
Gore’s a bore - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- Were I an American in November of 2000, I would have punched my voting card to select George W. Bush as President. After some of the success of 8 years of Democratic rule in Bill Clinton (and of course Monica Lewinsky), there was a need for change in the States and the wave of ‘compassionate conservatism’ really began to look good. I’ll admit were he remarkable as I’d like him to be, he’d have won a decisive victory. But the truth of the matter is, the candidates we saw in Bush and Gore left Americans really wanting. At the end of the day it took a handful of votes in Florida and the Supreme Court to really tip the balance.
Bush was and is an intellectual boob, but he’s surrounded himself with a top notch group. Who better than to have Colin Powell, Condi Rice, Donald Rumsfeld, and Dick Cheney around when the events of September 11th rolled around. Were I an American I would not have considered Al Gore because he isn’t my cup of tea. He’s a guy that rubs me the wrong way and who doesn’t seem genuine. Being that I’m not American, let me proffer an opinion for the presidential race in 2004. I think Bush should win, because I’ve seen no great Democrat come up. The only name mentioned is that of Al Gore himself.
Gore has been writing op-ed pieces and making speeches. He’s gotten rid of that bin Laden beard and he’s really looking like he’s up for putting his name forward in 2004. However, though he did get more votes in 2000, he’s looking like yesterday’s man already. He’s totally uninspired and major Democrats are still upset at how he squandered what would have been an easy win in 2000. There were many key states he skipped campaigning in, like his home base of Tennessee, and Arkansas the home state of the then sitting president Bill Clinton. Both states you’ll recall went to Bush. Late in the 2000 campaign, he distanced himself from his old boss, Clinton thus lost the loyalty of many key voters. Richard Harpootlian, the South Carolina Chair of the Democrats has said he welcomes Gore’s re-entry but that he’ll be “in a fight” come 2004.
There are already many other names floating around for the nomination in 2004. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts is Kennedyesque in stature and is a former war vet. There’s Dick Gephardt, who’ll probably stick to the Senate if he’s wise. John Edwards is a popular choice, as is Vermont Governor Howard Dean, who’s popular amongst pundits. Gore’s vice-presidential candidate Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman has been mentioned, though he’s said he won’t run if Al Gore will seek the nod. And of course the name wished by fans and detractors alike is that of the junior Senator for New York, Hillary Rodham Clinton. I think if Mrs. Clinton wants to be known for the carpetbagger that she is, she’d run. But I think serving out her term as Senator would be wise before aiming for the White House.
I like George Dubya and I think him winning a second term is guaranteed only if Al Gore runs. Gore has nothing new to show nor anything new to contribute. We know Gore’s experience as a war vet, as a Senator, as vice-president and as a private citizen. Soon after his loss he bowed out of public life quickly and for so long, that I think in the end that really hurt him. I think Al Gore’s ‘record’ is admirable and proven, but it’s also where he could get defeated.
I am also realistic. If I were to prophesise the 2004 campaign with any accuracy, I’d have to see what has already happened, that of the 2002 election campaign. At this point, the mid-term elections of this November will not go in President Bush’s and the Republican Party’s favour. This Bush presidency, much like the last has seen 90% plus approval ratings thanks to military efforts, yet it has also seen the economy tank. The last Bush presidency following such conditions was whipped by Bill Clinton. So I suppose that the Democrats, if they manage to overcome the turmoil they’re in, will make gains and Bush will be challenged in, and by both houses of the Congress. That said, what more could he gain from debacles like Enron, and the connections he has with Harken and his Vice-President has with Haliburton? I suppose all this speculating may turn into false wonder. It’s American politics and anything is possible.
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