Gore Unexpectedly Loses Home State
washingtonpost.com
By Karin Miller
Associated Press Writer
Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000; 11:31 p.m. EST
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– Vice President Al Gore became the first presidential candidate since George McGovern in 1972 to lose his home state. (pretty much sums it up, doesn't it... :0)
The loss was not entirely unexpected: Many Tennesseans say they did not consider Gore one of their own because of his close ties to Washington.
"He really doesn't live here," said Jonathon Fuller, a 19-year-old student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. "He only comes back when he wants votes."
The loss was seen as key in the tight presidential race nationally. Republican George W. Bush, was counting on smaller states like Arkansas and Tennessee to build his electoral vote count.
Half the voters surveyed said Gore's connection to his home state was "not at all important," according to a preliminary results from an exit poll by Voter News Service.
Gore appeared to be doing well among female voters, while Bush did better among men. Bush appeared to have an edge with white voters, while blacks appeared to favor Gore. Bush had a 2-1 edge among independents.
Honesty was the quality most voters said they was important for their next president. Most with this opinion voted for Bush, who also outpolled Gore among those citing strong leadership and good judgment.
Tennessee residents have become more conservative since Gore was first elected to Congress in 1976. The GOP has controlled the governor's office, both U.S. Senate seats and the congressional delegation since 1994.
Also, Gore seemed to get more liberal as he tried to appeal to a broader national audience, angering some in his home state by modifying positions on issues including abortion, gun control and tobacco.
The Clinton-Gore ticket won the state twice, but only by 2 percentage points in 1996.
McGovern failed to carry his home state of South Dakota 28 years ago. |
