Posted on 09/09/2002 5:50:07 AM PDT by GailA
Channel anger, says Gore, and elect Democrats
By Karin Miller, The Associated Press September 8, 2002
ADAMS, Tenn. - Former vice president Al Gore urged some 2,000 fervent supporters Saturday night to channel the anger they felt upon hearing he lost the presidency into electing Democratic candidates in November.
"Get the White House," yelled one supporter during Gore's 30-minute speech in support of U.S. Senate candidate Bob Clement and the party's other nominees at a fund-raising picnic for five county Democratic parties. A woman near the stage then added "2004!"
"We're going to focus on 2002. We can't wait four years. We've got to have a change this year," Gore responded. "Remember just for a minute what you felt like inside when you heard the Supreme Court decision" that cost Gore the election. "Boo!" they responded, and one man chimed in: "It never left!"
Gore told them to "take all of that feeling every day between now and Election Day. Take it into the voting booth. Let's take our country's policies back from the group that has taken it from us."
Gore, who would have won the presidency if he had carried his home state's 11 electoral votes, has spent much of the past two years trying to "mend fences" with Tennesseans.
In 2000, many Tennessee voters found Gore's views on issues such as abortion and gun control too liberal.
Gore had not appeared at any public gatherings with statewide candidates since the Aug. 1 primary until he joined Clement, a 5th District congressman, Saturday night at a farm in Robertson County, about 15 miles south of Clarksville.
"He's kept a low profile, but I think that's because he hasn't decided what he's going to do, and right now he's just trying to help Democrats get elected. That's why he's here tonight," said Maggie Faill of Franklin.
And Democratic politicians say they haven't avoided Gore.
"Al Gore is an important person in the Democratic Party. Al Gore is a friend. We've worked together in the past, and we will in the future. That doesn't mean we agree on all the issues. But he was a good vice president, and he's important to Democrats," said Clement, who left before Gore spoke. Clement is running against Republican Lamar Alexander, a former Tennessee governor, for the Senate seat that Fred Thompson is leaving.
"I can't imagine a former vice president being a liability. . . . Look around. If people were worried about being seen with Al Gore, they wouldn't be here," said Rep. Kim McMillan, (D-Clarksville).
The sprawling farm was crowded with people eating barbecued chicken, drinking beer and talking to politicians.
When Gore arrived, he was mobbed by supporters wanting autographs, hugs, handshakes and photos.
"This just shows you how much support you've got," Dallas Morgan of Nashville told Gore. "Thank you, thank you," a grinning Gore replied.
Gore says he will announce before the end of the year whether he will challenge Bush in 2004.
"I'm not sure if he'll run again. I think he's feeling the waters," said Libby Herstek of Ashland City. "I hope that over the past couple of years Tennessee voters have learned something. I think they would vote for him next time around."
The nearby counties in Kentucky all went for Bush by a healthy margin.
But I hope The Tree Stump's handlers keep telling him how the country needs him, he needs to run, blah, blah, blah. It'll be hilarious watching "Preacher Al" screaming and sweating again:
"Ah'm for the people, not the powerful!!! Ah will Faht For Yew!!!"
He'll waste millions of Democrat dollars and years of his life--yah gotta love it!!!
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