Democratic Convention: Picking A Fight

His work cut out for him, Gore comes swinging out of Los Angeles with a populist pitch aimed at waitress moms and trucker dads. But Bush may have the advantage with the swing voters

Well before Election Day, campaigns tend to be lost or won depending on whose vision of the race prevails. The secret code of the Bush campaign is that politics doesn't really matter, the country is at peace, the market is up, so you can afford to vote for the guy you like because we're all happy centrists now. George W. Bush has all but dared Al Gore to fight on that ground, as he strolled down the middle of the field, threw up a tent and invited every voter to the party.

Gore heard the music and read the polls and...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!