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Gore Accepts Nomination, Promises to Fight For Working Americans
In a nomination acceptance speech to close the Democratic National Convention, Vice-President Al Gore Thursday night vowed to speak and work for "the quiet, every-day heroism of hard-working Americans," and laid out a vision long on policy specifics.
"I pledge to you tonight: I will work for you every day and I will never let you down," Gore promised the delegates and all the American people.
On the fourth and final night of the convention, Gore, 52, formally accepted his party's presidential nomination and delivered a state-of- union-address-like speech that touched on almost all major issues, from campaign finance reform to education.
He outlined his stock proposals to create tax-free savings accounts for retirement and college tuition; alleviate the estate tax for people passing on a small business or family farm; increase the minimum wage; codify employment rights for gays and lesbians; hire 50,000 new community police; mandate child-safety trigger locks on handguns; protect abortion rights, and more.
The vice president said he wants the nation's wealth to be shared by all Americans, especially ordinary working people who had not fully shared in the economic boom.
"My focus is on working families -- people trying to make house payments and car payments, working overtime to save for college and do right by their kids," Gore said.
He said powerful forces and powerful interests often stand against working families. "I want you to know this: I've taken on the powerful forces. And as president, I'll stand up to them, and I'll stand up for you," Gore added.
He drew perhaps his loudest ovation of the night when he pledged to protect abortion rights and said, "The last thing this country needs is a Supreme Court that overturns a woman's right to choose."
Just before Gore made his speech, Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush issued a statement saying he was ready to take part in three presidential debates and also proposed holding two vice presidential debates. Analysts believe it was a gesture of confidence from the Texas governor who is considered a less experienced debater than Gore.
Gore has never led Bush, the son of former President George Bush, in any poll of likely voters, and time is beginning to run short. History shows that the candidate leading the race in early September wins in November.
A poll by the Voter.com Internet service found Gore has so far received no bounce from the convention, and has in fact slipped two points further behind Bush since Monday.
Regarded by admirers as a brainy and well-informed politician, a skilled and aggressive debater, Gore is viewed by others as overly cautious, wooden, programmed and willing to say just about anything to win.
"I know my own imperfections. I know that sometimes people say I'm too serious, that I talk too much substance and policy. Maybe I've done that tonight. But the presidency is more than a popularity contest. It's a day-by-day fight for people. Sometimes, you have to choose to do what's difficult or unpopular," he said.
Polls have consistently shown that voters are closer to Gore than Bush on many main issues, but the Texas governor has a huge advantage on the question of leadership.
Analysts say the gap may be due in part to Gore's staunch support of Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal, but it is also due to the nature of the job of vice president.
After two terms as vice president, aides said Gore wanted to introduce himself to the voters anew, and emerge from Clinton's shadow.
"This election is not an award for past performance. I'm not asking you to vote for me on the basis of the economy we have. Tonight, I ask for your support on the basis of the better, fairer, more prosperous America we can build together," Gore told the voters.
Gore, who has struggled to outrun President Clinton's shadow since launching this campaign 14 months ago, told Americans: "We're entering a new time. We're electing a new president."
He mentioned the president by name just once, calling him a partner and giving him credit for moving the country into the longest period of economic expansion in history.
Before Gore made the speech, testimonials from friends and family colored in the corners of Gore's self-portrait: young farm hand, Vietnam vet, mountain-climber, surrogate brother to his sister's kindly widower. All of them urged the Americans to trust Gore and vote for him as next president.
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