DJ Gore Says Convention Speech To Be Full Of Proposals
CLEVELAND (AP)--Al Gore, preparing the most important speech of his life, is
cramming it with detailed proposals for the future and counting on the
voters to welcome that approach because "the people of the country want the
facts."
"People who want the facts will get them in this speech," Gore said in an
interview with The Associated Press. "If you want show without facts then,
you know, that can be found somewhere else."
Gore also said if he won in November, he likely would feel free to consult
with President Clinton. He also said he would bring "the highest values" to
the White House.
The vice president was on the campaign trail headed toward the Democratic
National Convention in Los Angeles where he will accept his party's
nomination in a speech Thursday night.
Gore said he was writing it himself for a simple reason: "I want it to be
from my heart."
That speech will be crammed with substance, spelling out his plans on tax
cuts and Social Security, he said.
"It is a gamble but it doesn't worry me because I think in the final
analysis the people of the country want the facts," Gore said. "They deserve
to know what the specifics are so they can judge for themselves."
Gore said he will also spell out how his ideas differ from those offered by
his Republican rival, George W. Bush.
"I will draw a sharp contrast between my proposals and those of Governor
Bush," said Gore. "It's an important speech politically, but what's
important is what the American people get out of it."
While drawing distinctions, Gore argued that his speech will stick to
differences on the issues.
"It will be a positive speech. I will not criticize my opponent," said Gore.
"Ninety percent of the speech will be a positive presentation of the
proposals I'm making."
As Gore was making his way to Los Angeles, he acknowledged that his
nominating convention was his biggest chance to date to define himself with
many voters who haven't followed politics and know him only as vice
president.
Carving out a distinct identity hasn't been difficult, he said, but has
taken time.
"I think it's a natural process that has evolved over the final year," said
Gore. "It reaches a crescendo at the time of the convention and after the
convention."
Should he win the White House, Gore said he wouldn't rule out asking Clinton
for advice.
"If I think there is a subject where he can contribute advice then, of
course, along with President Carter, who I talked to just the other day,"
said Gore.
One staple of Bush's stump speech is a pledge to restore "honor and
integrity" to the White House - a veiled reference to Clinton's relationship
with a White House intern - and Gore was asked how he could assure voters of
his conduct in office.
The vice president described himself as "devoted to my faith and my family"
and pointed to his quarter-century of work in public office, saying, "I have
done it according to the highest values and I will continue to do that."
He described his relationship with Clinton as "excellent" and said it
includes at least limited socializing.
"When you say social friends, we work so hard that the social occasions we
share are often related to the work," said Gore. "Sometimes we've gone out
to a music club or out to dinner, just the two couples."
Clinton resurrected the traumatic issue in recent days, arguing that voters
shouldn't hold Gore responsible. While Bush has called on Gore to repudiate
Clinton, the vice president said the Texas governor is missing the point.
"I think he is trying to make a campaign about something the American people
don't want the campaign to be about," said Gore. "I think the American
people want this campaign to be about the future and about the issues and
what we can do for them. It's not about George Bush or Al Gore or Joe
Lieberman or Dick Cheney or Bill Clinton."
Gore argued that he will gain by focusing on issues because voters will
demand that as they begin paying attention to the campaign.
"It's about the American people. That's what I'm going to be talking about
in my speech," said Gore. "The American people see this election as a chance
to shape the future. Anybody who doubts that underestimates the seriousness
of purpose people bring to this election."
(END) DOW JONES NEWS 08-14-00
12:29 PM
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