From the Daily

Al Gore for president

Experience, issues make Gore best choice

Vice-President Al Gore, Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Ralph Nader:

These men are applying to the American people for a job. Decisions made by the President of the United States will not only touch each and every one of our lives, but the lives of citizens in other nations. Only one of these men is qualified to be the leader of the most powerful country in the world: Al Gore.

The making of a president

Ideas alone do not make a leader. They are a significant component, but ideas can not go far if they are not implemented. What sets Gore apart from his opponents is dominance in both the areas of leadership skills and the quality of his platform.

Gore's experience in Washington is second to none, and the mastery he has shown of both foreign and domestic policy prove that he is best suited to lead the nation for the next four years.

The country is an excellent shape, which is not to say there is no room for improvement. But unemployment is low and the economy is riding high. Gore, by being the most active and effective vice president in recent memory, has positioned himself to continue prosperity, improve the economy and protect the progress that has been made since the days of Republican dominated White Houses ended.

But Gore's qualifications do not end with experience. His positions on key issues facing this nation make him the hands-down choice to lead.

Civil rights

Vital issues will confront the new president in January: Hate crimes legislation must be addressed and a federal attempt to end racial profiling must be pursued. Gore supports both of these initiatives. Civil rights should not stop their anti-discrimination benefits at race and gender issues. Civil unions are a long overdue right that the homosexual community has been denied, and the benefits afforded to married heterosexual couples must be offered to homosexual couples as well.

Gore has also been the only major party candidate to specifically endorse affirmative action, pledging to do everything he can to ensure the policy continues to diversify the workplace and the classroom.

Supreme Court

The next president will probably be in the position to appoint two to four Supreme Court justices. Fundamental issues facing the United States will hang in the balance - and the decisions made by that body will impact our nation for decades to come. Regardless of whether liberal or conservative justices leave the Court, nominating justices for life is one of the most important powers held by the president. Gore will find justices who protect the Constitution and support personal freedom at every turn.

Abortion

New justices on the Court could also have the power to overturn Roe v. Wade and thus ending a woman's right to choose. Government does not have the right to intrude upon or govern a woman's body, and by electing Gore, that value surely will be maintained.

Environment

Gore also has an excellent record on environmental issues. He has helped raise awareness on the problems of global warming and is committed to saving nature preserves. The next president will need to quickly preserve environmental resources, especially as urban sprawl and excessive consumption plague the country. Gore's openness to new and different fuel sources also sets him apart - reliance on fossil fuels, particularly foreign oil, must be reduced, and Gore is ready and willing to do so.

No, he's not perfect

Of course, Gore's support for the death penalty, school vouchers and his tendency to exaggerate are less than desirable. But there has never been a perfect president and this election, regardless of the outcome, is no exception. But there is a difference between "perfect" and dependable. Gore can be trusted with the responsibility of leading the United States.

Ralph Nader

Nader is a quality candidate and his stances on the death penalty and the drug war are better than Gore's, but he doesn't have the experience or know- how that Gore possesses.

Judging from the number of voters backing Nader's candidacy, there can be no denying that many of the issues he brings into the campaign are important - he has done a service to American democracy. Nader's staunch pro-labor stances, such as his opposition to trade agreements such as NAFTA and GATT, his criticism of the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund and his attacks against laws that make it difficult for workers to organize have the potential to spark a needed national debate. Furthermore, Nader's life-long commitment to public service watchdog lends credibility to his campaign. Third party candidates have been shut out of the political process for too long, and the best way to ensure an equal playing field for future elections is to implement campaign finance reform and to do away with the flawed means of deciding who can participate in presidential debates.

Ideas are only part of being president - the tools to implement them are crucial. Gore knows how the system works.

Gov. George W. Bush

Bush as president would surely send the country reeling backwards. His record in Texas on issues such as education, the environment, the criminal justice system and women's rights - just to name a few - is abominable. His short and dismal resume falls far short of qualifying him for the highest office in the land. He should not have governing authority over the state of Texas, much less the country.

Gore will maintain our economic prosperity. He will protect and expand civil rights, support meaningful action campaign finance reform and promote high standards for education and the environment. Vote Vice-President Al Gore for President.