Delegates to Gore: Step out of Clinton's shadow JBCBRiAN CARLSON_ LOS ANGELES — In his acceptance speech tonight, Vice President A1 Gore must step out of the shadow f President Bill Clinton and show the American people who he is, several members of the Nebraska Democratic delegation said. Gore, who is officially receiving his party’s pres idential nomination at this week’s Democratic National Convention, will deliver his nationally televised speech to conclude the convention. In interviews, members of the Nebraska dele gation outlined the fine line Gore must walk dur ing the coming campaign. On one hand, they said, he should associate himself with the economic prosperity the country has enjoyed during Clinton’s presidency. At the same time, he must establish his own political identity and insulate himself from Republican attacks on Clinton’s character, they said. Sen. Bob Kerrey, who made national headlines this week by publicly urging Clinton not to steal Gore’s spotlight during die campaign, said Gore should use die speech to contrast himself with his Republican opponent, Ifexas Gov. George W. Bush. "He needs to draw distinctions between what he would do and what President Bush would do," he said. "There are unmistakable differences on issues like guns, choice and education.” Kerrey said Gore should focus on the strength of the economy during the eight years Gore has served as vice president under Clinton. Together, Clinton and Gore have demonstrated that Democrats can manage the economy well and reduce crime rates, Kerrey said. But Kerrey also warned Clinton this week that he could damage Gore’s chances by being too visi ble on the campaign trail. Kerrey said Clinton’s personal conduct should not reflect poorly on Gore, especially if the vice president tells his life story and surrounds himself with his family. “He’s made good moral choices,” Kerrey said. For Anne Boyle, state chairwoman of the Nebraska Democratic Party, Gore’s speech is a “No corporation in America would change leaders if they'd done as well as the country has in the last eight years." Anne Boyle Nebraska Democratic Party chairwoman chance to fully introduce himself to the public. “I don’t know that we know him as well as we should,” she said. ”1 think he has to come out from behind the shadow of the president and give peo ple a clear understanding that he is his own man.” But Gore also should make the case that he is best suited to continue the economic prosperity of the Clinton years, Boyle said. "No corporation in America would change leaders if they’d done as well as the country has in the last eight years,” she said. Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely said Americans have grown accustomed to Gore in a supporting role. Now is the time for Gore to assert his own leadership qualities, he said. ”1 think he needs to step out of Bill Clinton’s shadow,” he said. “He needs to show his independ ence and his experience because I think he totally overshadows the Republican nominee.” Former Sen. James Exon said Gore should con tinue to make the argument that he would handle economic policy better than Bush. Exon said Clinton’s 1993 budget package, which passed in Congress with solely Democratic support, paved the way for a long economic expansion and, eventually, budget surpluses. Gore cast the deciding vote in the Senate and played a key role in building congressional support for die package, Exon said. With Gore trailing Bush in the polls by as many as 10 points, his speech tonight will be important, Exon said. “I think Gore’s speech will very likely be a key in the presidential race,” he said. Tm looking for Gore to give us a real bam-bumer.” HURRY LAST CHANCE! Satwdtyt tNt fat forUNL students, guff, and faculty-. Microsoft MCP Certification offered on campus aft UNL! Cal now for more Information about this exciting partnership among the Cottege of Business Administration, Microsoft Corporation and ExecuTtain. Kathy Hal, 484-7773 i=^=== Sodeyd, ' Latina student stresses diversity STUDENT from 1 Hispanics, not Native Americans, not African Americans, not even that many women. I don't think (GOP pres idential nominee George W.) Bush can pretend he cares about inclusiveness." Diversity has been a recur ring theme apiong Democrats this week. Several Democrats have criticized the Republican Party for including a variety of minor ity speakers at its convention without demonstrating a true commitment to diversity. Democratic presidential nominee A1 Gore criticized the GOP for showing an “illusion of inclusion,” and President Clinton made a similar criticism in hisxonvention speech on Mondaynight “If I could just get my administration up here, it would look as good as anything you saw in Philadelphia two weeks ago,” Clinton said. In addition to Ramos, the Nebraska delegation included Frank LaMere, an American Indian, Lincoln City Council member Annette McRoy, who is black, and other minority dele gates. Ramos said she is support ing Gore because he is “not put ting on a show” about his com mitment to diversity. After Ramos completes her public administration major and political science minor, she plans to continue her political involvement One day, she said, she may run for political office. Kerrey bids farewell to delegates, Senate KERREY from 1 Kerrey’s hard work on campaign finance reform and entitlement reform. “He was a very effective sena tor, and personally I’m very sorry to see him go,” Mitchell said in an interview. “I wish him well in the future. He’s a great person.” On Monday, Kerrey was scheduled to appear at a recep tion for supporters of former Sen. Bill Bradley, who unsuccessfully challenged Vice President A1 Gore for the Democratic presi dential nomination this year. Kerrey was one of just a handful of senators who supported Bradley. Kerrey’s vehicle got stuck in traffic en route to the downtown hotel where Bradley's reception was being held, but he showed up when a few supporters were left “We had a good time in the campaign,” he said, looking around the room. “We’re closer because we lost” Peering across the room, Kerrey spotted Cornel West, a prominent professor in the African-American Studies department at Harvard and a fel low Bradley supporter. “Cor-nel! Cor-nel!” Kerrey chanted, pumping his arms above his head. Kerrey and West then greeted each other with an embrace. “We got to know each other over the past year on the cam paign trail, and we had a great time together,” West said. “I admire Ids courage in supporting Bill Bradley.” On Wednesday night, Kerrey addressed the convention along with Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia. Cleland also served in Vietnam, and his wounds con fined him to a wheelchair. “We pay tribute to those who made our freedoms possible - to those who fought, bled, died and were strong for America. This country and this party must remember and thank them and their families.” Max defend Georgia senator Kerrey wheeled Cleland onto the podium and sat with him for his speech, which was atribute to America’s veterans. "We pay tribute to those who made our freedoms possible - to those who fought, bled, died and were strong for America,” he said. "This country and this party must remember and thank them and their familigg "I never felt more free than when I wore the uniform of our country." Nebraska’s delegates said they would miss the attention that Kerrey brought to their state. "He's really been a voice for the Midwest,” said State Sen. Matt Connealy of Decatur. “He’s been a real blessing because we do have a smaller state, and if we don’t have someone to tell our story in Washington, it doesn't get told.” Former Sen. James Exon said Nebraskans would miss Kerrey’s leadership most of all "I don’t think there’s any question that Bob Kerrey has a great legacy for Nebraska,” he said. “He’s a true leader in every respect Ws’re going to miss him.” Dee-Dee Hyberger Stylist/Colorist Located within Hair Apparent Haymarket Square Courtyard 824 “P "Street. Only 5 blocks from capmus. 475-2CUT (2288) Who says size doesn’t matter? Daily Nebraskan BIGGER. BETTER. DazTyNebraskan Editor Sarah Baker Questions? Comments? 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