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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 2000)
Gore pledges to continue, expand economic growth daNyneb.com Thanks, Sharon ^—■— ——I Alpha Omega Campus Ministries: Invites all college students to join us at the Alpha Omega House on Friday nights at 7:30 pm for music, Bible study and fellowship. 425 University Terrace Questions call 436-7177 ■ The Democratic candi date said voters should focus on what he could do as president. BY BRIAN CARLSON LOS ANGELES-A1 Gore said Thursday night that he is the only presidential candidate who will not only prolong the coun try's economic prosperity, but extend it to those who have < been left behind. “This election is not an award for past performance,” the vice president said in his acceptance speech to the Democratic National Convention. “I'm not asking you to vote for me on the basis of the econo my we have. “I’m happy that the stock market has boomed and so many businesses and new enterprises have done well. But my focus is on working fami lies.” Gore gave credit to President Bill Clinton for leading the country out of recession and into its longest economic expansion in history during his eight years as president But he also sought to step out of Clinton’s shadow. He said his administration would con tinue the economic progress by extending it to “people trying to make house payments and car payments, working overtime to save for college and do right by their kids.” mat s the difference in this election,” Gore said. “(The Republicans) are for the power ful, and we’re for die people. "So I say to you tonight: If you entrust me with the presi dency, I will fight for you.” Gore has often been described by the media as a bor ing, wooden personality. In his speech, he acknowledged those criticisms, saying “sometimes people say I’m too serious, that I talk too much substance and policy.” But he said the presidency “is more than a popularity con test” "If you entrust me with the presidency, I know I won’t always be the most exciting politician,” he said. "But I pledge to you tonight: I will work for you everyday, and I will never let you down.” Gore also picked up a strong endorsement from the man he defeated for the Democratic presidential nomination, for mer Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey. “Now we're in the general election, and it’s absolutely essential that we get behind A1 Gore,” Bradley said in his con vention speech. “I support him. I endorse him. I’ll work hard for his victory. Our country needs a Democratic president, a Democratic Congress and, most important, a Democratic con science.” Gore presented a long list of causes he said he would cham pion as president. On health care, he would fight for a patient’s bill of rights, prescription drug coverage for seniors and health care cover age for all children. “It’s just wrong to have life and-death medical decisions made by bean-counters at HMO’s who don’t have a license to practice medicine and don’t have a right to play God,” he said. On education, Gore said he opposed private school vouch ers, saying the federal govern ment should focus on improv ing public schools’ perform ance. He proposed making most college tuition tax-deductible and allowing middle-class fami lies to set up tax-free college savings accounts. He criticized the tax propos al of his Republican opponent, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who has called for a tax cut of more than $1 trillion. Gore proposed a smaller tax cut and said the fed eral budget surpluses should be used to pay down the national debt and shore up Social Security and Medicare. “Let me say it plainly,” he said. “I will not go along with a huge tax cut for the wealthy at the expense of everyone else and wreck our good economy in the process.” He also criticized Bush’s pro posal to allow younger workers to invest one-sixth of their pay roll taxes in private investment accounts. Instead, he said, the federal government should set aside the Social Security trust fund in a “lock box” where it could not be used for other spending. In the days since Gore’s con vention speech, several polls have shown a sharp upward bounce for the vice president In some polls, Gore leads Bush after lagging behind him most of the summer. Gore’s speech was accompa nied by a video showing his life story, including his time at Harvard, his Vietnam War serv ice, his early years as an Inves tigative reporter in Tennessee, That's the difference in this election. (The Republicans) are for the powerful, and we're for the people.” AlGov* Democratic presidential candidate his time in Congress and his role in the Clinton administration. "I stand here tonight as my own man/ Gore said, “and I want you to know me for who I truly am.” OVERDUE FOR A RAISE? I WANT BETTER BENEFITS? I ANNOYED BY YOUR MANAGER? I t il HATE SINGING HAPPY BIRTHDAY? NOT HAPPY WITH YOUR SCHEDULE? I YOU DESERVE A BETTER JOB! I LAZLO’S IS NOW HIRING. ALL POSITIONS AVAILABLE! Please apply in person at our new location 5900 Old Cheney Mon.-Fri. 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. and 2:00p.m.-6:00p.m. or , Lazio’s In the Haymarket i 710 “P" Street 1 || Mon., Tka., A Thurs. 2-4p.m. STORE NEAREST CAMPUS: In Lincoln at Centro Plaza, 48th Street and R Street.