Gore focuses on family values
By KATE STEER
Assistant News Editor
As Bill Clinton's vice president, Al Gore will have a lot to live up to and a lot to overcome in his campaign for the presidency. Either way, Gore bears a certain distinction which his competitor, Bill Bradley, felt in the Iowa caucuses, where Bradley was defeated 3-1.
Gore's strength in the polls and primaries is something his campaign staff is pleased with. Staffers plan to capitalize on this lead, which gives Gore liberty to take firmer stands on issues.
Gore presents his ideas on issues from education to health care to school violence with a heavy emphasis on family values. A self-proclaimed "fighter for the American family," he has put energy into supporting the V-Chip and parental controls over TV and the Internet.
Gore's other flagship issue is the environment. He has pledged to save the family farm and has proposed $2 billion to combat "suburban sprawl."
Gore is widely popular among minority groups.
"The people who attended the caucuses came from every walk of life to show their support for Al Gore," California lieutenant governor Cruz Bustamante told reporters.
Gore has also received endorsements from prominent Democrats and major publications. The Concord Monitor of New Hampshire endorsed Gore as a champion of Democratic ideas and ideals.
"Gore represents the best hope of his party both for holding the White House in 2000 and for furthering the ideals that he and Bill Bradley share," the Monitor wrote.
Vermont governor Howard Dean said Gore's stance on health care is "the best way to achieve the ultimate goal of universal care for all Americans."
New Hampshire governor Jeanne Shaheen also has pledged her support to Gore. Shaheen said Gore is the only candidate who can propagate economic prosperity. "[He can] keep us on the right track," she said.
William Daley, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, has said that Gore's commitment to the American family as beneficial to what might be continued efforts to improve the economy.
While Gore has acknowledges past mistakes, he hasnot apologized for them. He has admitted to using marijuana, but attributes it to the post-Vietnam era. His image as an honest "regular American" are his greatest attributes in the ongoing character debate.
Gore is the son of a former senator and was raised in Tennessee and Washington, D.C. He graduated from Harvard University in 1969 and attended Divinity School in Tennessee. Gore also attended Vanderbilt Law School.
All News Stories for Friday, January 28, 2000
