Early Money Is on Gore
Eleven weeks until we vote, which is a lot of time in anyone’s play. Lots of things could happen. A scandal could be revealed. A candidate could get seriously ill. But coming out of the conventions, it looks like the race is even, if maybe a little bit in Gore’s favor.
Gore started off his post-convention campaign swing on a paddle-wheeler visiting four states along the Mississippi, with a hoarse voice. Probably due to shouting so much in elation that he not only manage to deliver his speech, but that it had exceeded the expectations for most people, including supporters and the media. With mountains of press hype that this could be the most important speech he’d ever deliver, Gore did all right.
A friend asked if I thought he’d hit a single, double, triple, or home run. Triple, I announced; he thought maybe an infield double. As it turned out, Gore got an expected bounce, but more significantly, it was among independents and undecideds, which augurs well for The Wooden One as he strives to sell his own self, out from under Clinton’s shadow, though enjoying shared responsibility for the still-burbling economy.
Gore’s lead in the polls is insignificant, for the most part. If blacks decide to stay home because of Lieberman, it could be enough to wipe out a handful of points. If the Middle East erupts in violence and Israel is responsible, the donkey could trip and fall. But more worrisome, of course, is Clinton, and whether Slick Willie will stay in relative seclusion — alone and unphotographed — until November 8th. That may be a problem for the Boy from Hope. Celebrating his 54th birthday over the weekend, the president was reported to be "laying low." No kidding, a White House spokesman actually said this. Of course, saying that he was "lying low", which would have been correct usage, would have come with its own set of problems.
Clinton was excoriated by virtually everyone watching the convention for his breath-catching egotism. He campaigned for himself first, then for his wife, and lastly for Gore. It was probably a good thing, since it made a break between them easier. Yes, the delegates would have voted to revise the Constitution on the spot and send Clinton back to the White House for a third term, but people with a sense of dignity, and integrity, were at least disappointed if not disgusted with both of the Clinton’s for their extraordinary lack of grace toward the Gore’s.
Tipper did a good job supporting her husband, as did the Democrats in their video productions; Al actually looked alive. But truth be told, despite all of the earned plaudits, and for as well as he did considering, Gore is not a polished speaker. He didn’t seem to know how to work with the audience response. He would insist on finishing a sentence, even when the place had already erupted in applause. It looked and sounded odd, as though he — or the audience — were missing cues. He should have stopped, and waited until the applause began to die before either continuing the sentence or going on to the next. He didn’t seem to know where to break, his words or his thoughts.
But will he come across in the long run as a better presidential choice than Bush-Lite? Probably.
And that’s SetonnoteS...I’m Tony Seton.