THE BATTLE BEGINS.

• Author: MANNING, STEVEN
• Position: Brief Article

BUSH AND GORE FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE, BUT ARE HAUNTED BY THEIR PASTS

The first presidential campaign of the new millennium is off and running. Democrat Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush are each trying to convince the voters that they are the best candidate to lead America into the next century. Bush, 54, promotes himself as a "compassionate conservative" who will bring renewed moral leadership to the White House. Gore, 52, stresses his mastery of policy and his hands-on involvement with future-looking issues like the environment and the Internet.

Yet each candidate is dogged by questions from the past. Gore is trying to escape the long shadow of President Bill Clinton, for whom he has served loyally and energetically as Vice President. Gore has received some credit for the economic prosperity of the past eight years, but he has also been indirectly tainted by the scandals of the Clinton years. Bush, on the other hand, must overcome a sense that he is not experienced or knowledgeable enough to be President. Bush's only experience in political office, before winning the Republican nomination, was six years as Governor of Texas.

"Voters--especially independent voters--see Gore as smarter, more knowledgeable about issues, and more experienced," says longtime political analyst Charles Cook. "But they're not sure they can trust him. I often hear people say that he is too much like Clinton." The same voters, Cook says, seem to genuinely like and trust Bush. "They just don't know if he is smart enough or big enough for the job."

SOOTHING THE VOTERS

Both candidates are trying to reassure voters. Gore supporters say his choice of Joseph Lieberman as his running mate is proof of Gore's boldness and independence. Lieberman, the first Jew to be nominated for national office, was a harsh critic of Clinton's misbehavior. Bush, meanwhile, has surrounded himself with experienced Republican policy makers, many associated with his father, former President George Bush (1989-1993). They include his vice-presidential pick, former Defense Secretary Richard Cheney.

Some critics say that beyond personality, little of substance divides Bush and Gore. But the record shows that voters have many clear choices. Bush would like the private sector to provide more social services and make people less dependent on federal programs. He backs vouchers that would enable poor children to attend private schools, and proposes to cut federal income taxes. He also wants big...