“Election 2000 “to-close-to-call”…How?” Democratic candidate Al Gore and Republican candidate George W. Bush have been in a “to-close-to-call” race for the presidency since the campaigning began. With the distinct differences of the candidates how could this be? Al Gore’s position on the major issues, political experience, knowledge and America’s economic growth and prosperous state in the last eight years should have the given Gore the winning votes. However, in Gore’s campaign he focused largely on changing the qualities viewed by the public as negative to a positive view. He attempted to alter the perception of a stiff robot-like individual to a likeable guy, while George W. Bush tried to appear knowledgeable. The Gore campaign did not adequately portray the existing positive qualities to the American public, leaving the seat to the most likable candidate, as Charles McKain of San Diego states, “the differences between Gore and Bush will fade and people simply will reject Gore because the Texas Governor appears just eminently more likable.” (Los Angeles Times) The Gore campaign failed to make the issues the heart of the campaign. During the campaigning and debates the American public heard on many occasions “there is no difference” or “I agree with …” on the issues from both Al Gore and George Bush. The fact is that on many issues there are very clear and distinct differences between the candidates. Al Gore opposes a constitutional amendment to outlaw abortion while George Bush supports a constitutional amendment to outlaw abortion. Al Gore supports the Employee Non- Discrimination Act and tougher hate crime legislation while George Bush opposes both. Al Gore supports the Kyoto global warming agreement and Bush opposes it. George Bush supports further development of charter schools by investing $300 million in a char...
