Gore, Bush court undecided voters

By MIKE GLOVER

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Al Gore sought “every undecided voter” and George W. Bush taunted his rival for failing to wrap up Democratic states as both candidates drove hard into the final weekend of the presidential campaign. Some attention swung to the revelation that Bush had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in 1976.

“What kind of future do you want?” Gore bellowed today at a rally as he sought to energize backers for Tuesday’s election.

Gore raced through Missouri, then headed for Iowa and his home state of Tennessee, where some polls show Bush with a lead. Bush was hunting votes in Michigan and West Virginia, usually a safe state for Democrats but one of several still in doubt this time around.

Bush noted that not only was Gore fighting for Tennessee but President Clinton was campaigning in his home state of Arkansas. “I’m flattered,” Bush said. “We must be doing something right.”

Bush had said Thursday night that he regretted his arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol, but he also said it would not change voters’ minds about him.

He said today at Cornerstone College in Grand Rapids, Mich., “I made mistakes in my life, but I’m proud to tell you I’ve learned from those mistakes.”

Both Bush and campaign aides questioned the timing of the arrest revelation.

Spokeswoman Karen Hughes said, “I think Americans are tired of this kind of last-minute dirty tricks.”

Tom Connolly, a Portland lawyer and Democratic activist who attended the Democratic National Convention, confirmed today to The Associated Press that he was the source of the report.

“It’s not a dirty trick to tell the truth,” Connolly said, maintaining that Bush should have made the case known a long time ago.

Gore focused today on campaign issues, promising anew that he would fight against entrenched interests.

“I’m going to take them on any time they get in the way of what’s right for you and your families,” said Gore. “I’m asking all of you to reach out to every undecided voter.”

At a rally at Millersville State University in Pennsylvania, Bush running mate Dick Cheney told a crowd not to be distracted by last-minute allegations. “Now we’re coming down to the closing days of the campaign, and there’s all kinds of stuff flying around out there,” he said. “The important thing is we keep our eyes on the ball and we remember what we’re going to decide on Tuesday.”

Both candidates are sounding their basic themes in a blinding round of campaign rallies.

Gore played his top card – the economy. Bush ripped into Gore on health care.

“In this fork-in-the-road election prosperity itself is on the ballot,” Gore shouted Thursday to a lunchtime rally with tens of thousands in downtown Chicago. “Vote for your prosperity, vote for your families, vote for a brighter future in the country.”

Bush tried to link Gore to first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s failed health care effort.

“He’s for a hop, skip and a jump to nationalized health care,” warned Bush. “He thought ‘Hillary care’ made a lot of sense. We think differently.”

Gore also struck at Bush’s qualifications, telling USA Today in an interview published today that voters will have to answer questions about whether the Texas governor is ready to be president.

But, he said, “I do believe that his proposals raise questions about his judgment.”

For his part, Bush said he’s “fully prepared” to lead and that the message if he wins Tuesday will be that voters wanted a change.

“They will have looked at my qualifications and said, ‘George W. is the best leader,’ ” he told the newspaper.

In a sign of his confidence, Bush was making a play for another traditional Democratic area, heading to New Jersey on Saturday before swinging through Florida in a bid to save the state where his brother Jeb is governor from falling to Gore.

Bush also was endorsed Thursday by two-time presidential candidate Ross Perot.

Gore tried to make hay of Bush’s argument to a Missouri crowd that Democrats “want to control Social Security like it was some kind of federal program.” Spokeswoman Karen Hughes later said Bush misspoke and knows that Social Security is a federal program.

But the misstatement drew jeers from a Las Cruces, N.M. crowd of 15,000 when Gore told them about it. “If he thinks it’s not a federal program, maybe it explains (his privatization) proposal,” Gore said to cheers. “But listen, I know that one plus one equals two.”

Polls show the race competitive, and likely to be settled in a handful of states where neither contender has a decisive edge. Attention is centered on places like Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Oregon, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Both candidates are blanketing the airwaves in those states, but also giving attention to the nuts-and-bolts mechanics of delivering supports to the polls on Tuesday. They also were staying flexible and looking for places where a last-minute swing could make the difference.

Democrats claimed an edge in organization, while Republicans are cheered by surveys suggesting Republicans are more excited about Bush than Democrats are about Gore.

The candidates themselves are seeking to build the energy level. Gore seeks credit for the strong economy, and argues he’s best suited to keep it going.

“We are not going back. We are going forward. I am not satisfied. You ain’t seen nothing yet,” Gore said, drawing derision from Bush, who remarked that Gore has failed to deliver during nearly eight years as vice president.

“How right he is,” said Bush. “We haven’t seen anything yet.”

Key planks of the Gore platform have been ignored, he said.

“We need to reform Social Security, but we ain’t seen nothing yet,” said Bush. “The country wants to reform Medicare, and we ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.