Clinton lays out 8-year record; Bush slips in polls

Clinton lays out 8-year record; Bush slips in polls

by Chinta Strausberg

In his final Democratic National Convention (DNC) before he leaves office, President William Jefferson Clinton Monday praised Vice President Al Gore and his running mate, Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT), whom he said are best able to carry on the torch for all of America.

In addressing the 43rd DNC which opened with a prayer by Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahony, Clinton said America is "more confident, hopeful and just" than it was prior to his administration eight-years ago.

In laying out his record, Clinton made it clear that the road of fiscal and political success can continue under the seasoned leadership of the Gore/Lieberman team.

And, that achievement, Clinton said, was possible with the help of Gore, who campaigned in Independence, MO where he compared his prescription benefit and Social Security plans to those of GOP presidential hopeful George W. Bush's.

Gore is scheduled to arrive at the convention on Wednesday and will deliver his acceptance speech Thursday before the multi-racial 5,500 Democratic delegates.

Illinois Democratic Leader Senator Emil Jones, who is at the convention, also reminded voters of the "tremendous economic boom that the Clinton/Gore administration has given this country.

"It is an unprecedented economic boom which employs many people and has a very low unemployment rate," said Jones.

"This convention represents the quilt of America, not like they (the GOP) had in Philadelphia where it reminded you of a basketball game...all Blacks on stage and none in the audience," said Jones. "Everybody out here is gung ho" to defeat Bush on Nov. 7th.

Ironically, while Bush left his GOP convention with a 17-lead, polls show has cut into that "bump" has taken a dive with recent surveys showing Gore leading 43 percent to Bush's 40 percent. And, a CNN poll showed Americans more concerned about a candidate's stand on the issues rather than their character.

Jones is hoping that momentum continues until the election and said the Gore/Lieberman team can ensure that goal.

And, so does Clinton, who described Gore as being the man to "keep this progress and prosperity going."

And, the president made it crystal clear that it was Gore who was "always there" when the rubber met the road on a myriad of tough issues and that his support never wavered.

And, because he was an active vice president who fully participated in government, Clinton said Gore "will keep our prosperity going by paying down the debt, investing in education and health care and in family tax cuts we can afford."

Taking the high road during his campaigning, Gore said of Bush and his running mate, Dick Cheney, "The people on the other ticket are good men.... I'll never attack them personally.

"The American people need to know the specifics of how the American people would be affected if the other side won."

And, that is what Mayor Richard M. Daley, who is also at the convention, told reporters. Echoing what the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. has repeatedly said, Daley explained once voters compare the records, including the eight-year Clinton administration and the still unprecedented economy, they'll vote for Gore because "it's in their economic interests to do so."

In endorsing Gore for president, Clinton said: "At this moment of unprecedented good fortune, our people face a fundamental choice...are we going to keep this progress and prosperity going" or change horses in the middle of the stream--some that Ald. Ed H. Smith (28th) warned voters not to do.

Saying to the American voters the choice is theirs, Clinton let them how just how closely they worked together over the past eight-years. "In the most difficult days of the last years, when we faced the toughest issues of war and peace, of taking on powerful special interests...he was always there."

And, to clear up false perceptions of his legacy leveled by Bush, Clinton cleared the air. "To those who say the progress of the last eight-years was an accident...that we just coasted along...let's be clear: America's success was not a matter of chance. It was a matter of choice."

Drawing a clear distinction between the Bush and Gore tickets, Clinton added: "The GOP wants to spend every dime of our projected surplus and then some leaving nothing to extend the life of Medicare and Social Security, nothing for emergencies, nothing in case the projected surpluses don't come in."

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