Neither Gore nor Lieberman had explicitly said it. They hinted... their staff focused the news stories for the travelling press corps... But today Joe said it. Lieberman Says Bush Not Ready for White House October 29, 2000 3:03 pm EST By Carol Giacomo WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman charged on Sunday that Republican George W. Bush is unprepared to be president, as the tight and increasingly personal race for the White House entered its final full week. Calling the presidency the world's "most important and complicated" government job, Lieberman said that "based on Governor Bush's experience, his record in Texas, which is not good on the environment, health care, education and based on his plans for the country which I'm confident would take us into debt and cripple our economy again, I don't think George Bush is ready to be president of the United States." For months, Democrats have questioned if the 54-year-old son of former President George Bush has the ability and experience needed to be president. But on Sunday, with nine days to go before Election Day, Lieberman flatly and publicly made that assertion. In response, Bush senior adviser Ari Fleischer denounced Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore for "one of the most negative finishes in presidential politics." "He has authorized his surrogates to take this campaign to new lows," Fleischer told reporters when asked about Lieberman's comments, adding: "I think you're seeing in the final week, a very negative, divisive and bitter campaign ... in this campaign, only one candidate is engaging in it and that candidate is Al Gore." But Republicans have also sharpened their attacks in the 2000 campaign's final days, including a recent speech in which Bush issued a stinging indictment of Gore that linked the vice president to the Clinton administration's "failed leadership" and vowed to honor the "controlling authority of conscience" if he wins the election. CONTINUED ATTACKS Green Party candidate Ralph Nader, who polls show is siphoning support from Democrats in key battleground states, continued his attack on Gore and Lieberman. Nader charged there is a "permanent corporate government" running affairs in Washington and the two major parties, Republican and Democratic, are basically the same. "Look at Joe Lieberman. Can you figure out whether he is a Democrat or a Republican? Nader asked. The campaign intensified as the latest Reuters/MSNBC poll underscored the state-to-state, voter-to-voter political combat that is defining the final week of the presidential race. Gore leads Bush in the crucial state of Florida, but Bush is easily ahead in the vice president's home state of Tennessee, according to Reuters/MSNBC surveys of nine key states. The polls, conducted Oct 27-28 by John Zogby, showed how fiercely the election is being conducted and how even slight changes could tip the presidency either to Bush or to Gore. In the separate Reuters/MSNBC national poll, which has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points, the latest result was Bush 44 percent, Gore 43, Nader 5. Among the state poll's highlights: -- Gore leads by 5 percentage points in Florida, seen as a must-win state for Bush. That is still well within the statistical 4.5 point margin of error. -- Bush leads by 11 points in Tennessee, outside the margin. He also, surprisingly, has a 7-point lead in Pennsylvania, where Gore had led comfortably a month ago. -- The two are tied in Michigan and Gore has a statistically insignificant 2-point lead in Missouri and a 4-point lead in Washington State, where Nader is eating into his support with 7 percent. -- Bush is only 3 points ahead in Ohio, which leans Republican. Gore is up 6 points in Wisconsin and Illinois. Reuters and MSNBC will continue to poll these nine state every day up to the Nov. 7 election. Other surveys, with the exception of the Gallup poll, which has shown wild fluctuations throughout the race, also showed a very close race. This means Nader, a long-time consumer activist who draws support largely from constituencies that would ordinarily go Democratic, could have a big impact on the election. Lieberman rejected Nader's criticism that he is too allied with corporate interests. "I'm an independent Democrat and I've always believed you got to try to build bridges and make alliances and keep growth going," said the two-term senator from Connecticut while on ABC television's "This Week" program. He said that businesses, not government, create jobs. Nader, also on ABC, rejected Democratic charges that he is a spoiler. As Gore promoted the nation's prosperity in Michigan on Sunday, Bush was in Texas, taking a brief respite from the road and laying the groundwork for his final assault on the presidential election's biggest prize -- California. President Clinton, who some Democrats want to play a larger role in the campaign than Gore has allowed, took to a Washington church pulpit to urge African-Americans, a traditionally Democratic constituency, to get out the vote. He urged support of Gore and implored members of the Shiloh Baptist Church to not turn their back on the economic progress made during the past eight years. ------------------ "Everyone I know has a big but... come on Simone, let's talk about your but."
I've heard Bush talk about restoring integrity to the White House after eight years of the current administration for the past year or so. If that's not a personal shot, I don't know what is. The Bush camp is like that kid in school that would pick on kids all the time, but when he gets picked on he runs and tattles. Pathetic. You aren't allowed to question one's record or experience, but you can call someone unethical and without intergrity. Whatever. ------------------ When you make an assumption, you make an ass out of yourself and umption. visit www.swirve.com [This message has been edited by Rocketman95 (edited October 29, 2000).]
Yeah I know rm95... Bush said horrible things about McCain, and when McCain returned the favor Bush did the ol' he hurt me wit' his wwooooooooordddds. He's been doing the same thing of late w/ Gore.... talking about mindless dribble instead of issues. How come the republicans never want to talk about issues? It's always character for some reason. That heart stuff? "If he's accusing me of not having a good heart" yadda yadda... WTF? From now on when someone beats me on an issue I'll call him/her a meanie. What a dork. What a fraud. ------------------ "Everyone I know has a big but... come on Simone, let's talk about your but."
I love you guys. How is talking about restoring integrity a 'personal shot'? We've just witnessed the 2nd impeachment EVER. What, we're not allowed to talk about it? Yeah, I guess being impeached is no big deal anymore. Not if you're popular. Speaking of kids in school, Gore's the kid that always has his hand up that you just want to smack. You know, he's always saying "me, me, me! I know the answer! Call on me!". Achebe -- Character is the most important aspect of a president. I can't believe you would think otherwise. The issues will be decided by Congress and at state and local levels. The balance of power is too strong for presidential policy to make a difference, for the most part. What policy of any significance ever originated with Clinton? Oh, and I almost forgot -- was Lieberman saying these same things about Clinton? I guess if he was consistent, he would've had to, right? I mean, how is being the governor of a little semi-state like Arkansas prepare one more for the presidency than governing Texas? [This message has been edited by TheFreak (edited October 29, 2000).]
So Gore should've resigned his post? He's making jabs at Gore when he says these things, and Gore's shown nothing but family values for his whole life. He's never been a cokehead or an alcoholic as far as we know. Anyway, I don't think that character is the most important aspect of being a president. Are you telling me that a dumb person (I'm not talking about Bush) down the street is more qualified to be president than Bill Clinton? I believe that intelligence would probably be the most important aspect in being a president, with character being up there no doubt. Clinton was involved in politics for a lot longer by 1992 than Bush is by this year. Lieberman did talk about Clinton's character, or lack thereof. Of course, Republicans can't even appreciate that because he didn't vote for conviction. You can disapprove of someone's actions while disagreeing on the punishment involved. ------------------ When you make an assumption, you make an ass out of yourself and umption. visit www.swirve.com [This message has been edited by Rocketman95 (edited October 29, 2000).]
The issues will be decided by Congress and at state and local levels. The balance of power is too strong for presidential policy to make a difference, for the most part. What policy of any significance ever originated with Clinton? HUH? You're *joking* right? You do realize that the President submits the budget which generally forms the blueprint used by Congress. And the budget is the ultimate artiber of where the priorities are by determining what programs get how much funding. Did Reagan have nothing to do with the defense spending of the 80's? Did he not propose the tax cuts that ultimately shaped the 80's? Do you think the 1995 government shutdown was purely a Congressional occurance? That incident (a result of both parties fighting, not just one) demonstrates how much say a President has in development of the issues and priorities of the government. And in that case, the end budget more resembled the Clinton Administation's than the Republican Congress. When Congress & the President are of the same party, it's more apparent, because Congress will more likely approve the President's budget directly. However, even with opposing parties, the President has just as much influence as Congress in determining the overall issues (Congress ultimately has more control over details) and focus of the government. ------------------ Is it any coincidence that the Cato is the only Rocket with a temperature scale named after him? I didnt think so!!!!
Joe said it. And he is absolutely 100% correct. ------------------ I am the b*stard son of LHutz. Huh? Right!
If intelligence is the most important factor then Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon are the best presidents we ever had. I highly disagree. I know plenty of incredibly smart people who demonstrate no ability to lead. They don't have the charisma necessary to inspire people and bridge gaps to get problems solved. Teddy Roosevelt was a leader, but he was no genuis. The same could definitely be said about George Washington. People questioned his wits and said he lucked into his position...but no one could ever question his character and his beliefs. Because of that he was a tremendous leader. On the other hand, Jefferson and Hamilton were freaking genuises and they couldn't have led anyone out of a paper bag. I respect their intelligence (far superior to mine), but when it came to dealing with people both were pompous asses. As for the personal attacks and then trying to appear to take the high ground...Gore does it too. "I will not respond in kind." He patronized and acted like a jerk throughout the entire debate and then when Bush brought up the character of the Clinton administration, Gore acted as if he were so offended. Ultimately, his inability to establish himself with any consistency during the debates will cost him the election. This is a VP who would love to point to the economic success of the last 8 years and ride that into the White House. Unfortunately for Al, he can't even mention the name of the incumbent for fear of being tied in with him. ------------------ [This message has been edited by MadMax (edited October 30, 2000).]
I'm not claiming that intelligence is the only factor when determining who is qualified for being president, I think it's a mixture of many different factors. I just happen to think that Gore has a much better mix of intelligence, character, and experience than Bush does. ------------------ When you make an assumption, you make an ass out of yourself and umption. visit www.swirve.com
BTW, I love that 5 point lead in Florida. There's no way Bush will win if he loses Florida, New York, and California! Oh, and Freak, if the president doesn't do anything, what do you care if Gore wins? ------------------ When you make an assumption, you make an ass out of yourself and umption. visit www.swirve.com
