Rebutting that fatuous notion, which is actually bandied about in affluent left-wing salons on both coasts of the United States, is the arrival of “Joined at the Heart,” as cynical and simplistic book as has ever been published.

The Gores’ condescending examination of how the American family has evolved since the 1960s fails miserably on two levels. First, there’s absolutely nothing revelatory in its 417 tedious pages; second, as a campaign tool for the former vice president’s expected 2004 challenge to George W. Bush, the book can’t possibly produce a single vote that he didn’t win two years ago.

As an academic exercise, let me begin — with a straight face — by summing up what the husband-wife team found out about the state of the family. Did you know, for example, that as opposed to a generation ago, there are more mixed racial marriages today? That immigrants grapple with both assimilation and a reverence for the traditions of their former countries? That a growing number of children are currently born out of wedlock, with single mothers carrying the burden? Or that a growing number of gay couples adopt children? And that due to economic conditions, the proliferation of the media and technology (cable television, cell phones, the Internet), families are “stressed-out” and haven’t the time to speak with each other?

Finally, although, according to the authors, divorce and violence ebbed in the 1990s (an undocumented coincidence, just one of many that attempts to justify Mr. Gore’s tenure as vice president), the grim fact is that family life in the 21st-century no longer resembles an episode of “Leave it to Beaver.”

The Gores weave personal experiences in raising their four children with vignettes of a dozen other families in explaining just how difficult it is today to make ends meet while finding the time to “honor” each other. Most of the people who share their stories with Al and Tipper are lower- or middle-class, have been divorced once or twice, suffered substance-abuse or domestic violence problems and barely have two nickels to rub together.

For example: “Dawn Hancock and her husband, Steve, now wrestle with exactly this [economic] dilemma. After battling their way out of poverty, they’re confronted with a whole new set of choices, some of them surprisingly difficult. Decisions about what nonessentials to buy most often involve her son. Eight-year-old Chase’s list of both needs and wants is growing rapidly. In just the last few months, the list of things Chase has asked his mom to buy him would choke a pony.”

Al and Tipper describe a few of the conundrums they’ve encountered as well. On the subject of interaction, the duo writes: “For the more everyday kinds of communication, we know many families who have regular ‘family meetings.’... The one requirement, though, is that every member of the family should feel he or she is invited to fully participate.”

Fair enough. But the example they cite from their own past demonstrates just how different the wealthy Gore family — whose children all went to private schools — is from the subjects they interviewed. “The family-meeting approach worked for us when our children were young and they all had their own activities.… We talked about whatever was important to someone, from soccer games and school plays to when one of us would be out of town on travel. We especially remember a family meeting in 1987 about whether Al should run for the Democratic nomination for president. From oldest to youngest, each child discussed his or her thoughts about the race.”

Typically, the Gores (and I pin this mostly on Al) talk down to their readers, as if lecturing second-graders. They’re compelled to pass on this utterly benign observation: “Love is a commitment. And a loving family is one whose members are committed to one another.” The authors also, to the reader’s relief, advocate a father’s participation in rearing children. “We believe it is critical to instill in every generation of fathers the belief that fatherhood is a sacred trust, and that it is a father’s nonnegotiable responsibility to support his children both financially and emotionally. We believe that children need and deserve a father’s love — and that all men have a responsibility to all children.”

Thank you, Professor Gore! Those insights will certainly make me re-examine the relationship I have with my wife and two sons.

The bibliography of “Joined at the Heart” lists over 200 previously published books, articles, and government documents related to the same topic, making it clear the Gores aren’t providing a groundbreaking study on the American family. So what’s the impetus for this repetitive tome? May the Lord have mercy on me for paraphrasing James Carville, but it’s the 2004 Democratic nomination, stupid!

The transparent political ploy is most prominent in the book’s conclusion, when the Gores, without mentioning President Bush, lash out at employers who don’t provide adequate day care, family leave, health insurance, and loving workplace conditions. Again, without providing evidence, the Gores state: “Communities became safer during the latter two-thirds of the 1990s as a result of a variety of policy changes. But after declining for most of the decade, violent crime rates are unfortunately going up again.” In addition, the Gores say, “We take exception to several prevailing policies that are proving harmful to many low- and moderate-income families, including tax policies that favor the wealthiest in the nation, as well as the uncompromising opposition to collective bargaining rights, employee benefits, minimum wage increases, and child-care assistance.”

I’ll ignore the authors’ wacky comparison of the family to the environment and leave you with one more outrageous example of hypocrisy. The Gores are concerned about the coarse condition of politics today, writing: “Moreover, the cheapening of our political dialogue by the replacement of thoughtful discourse with impressionistic 30-second advertisements has served to obscure the real issues and further discourage participation by feeding cynicism.”

Pardon my cynicism, but wasn’t it Mr. Gore who refused to repudiate the allegedly non-partisan NAACP’s ad in the 2000 campaign which attempted to implicate then-Governor George W. Bush in the murder of James Byrd? And didn’t the Clinton-Gore administration stir up racial tension in the 1998 midterm elections by claiming that voting for Republicans would result in the burning of black churches?

I doubt many people will actually read “Joined at the Heart” — although it’s possible this atrocity will be purchased in bulk for Mr. Gore’s coming campaign — but it’s certain that no controlling authority reigns at Henry Holt & Co. An astute editor would’ve advised Al and Tipper that if they really want to capture the White House, this warmed-over theme should be abandoned in favor of a book that explicitly laid out the differences between the Democrats and Republicans. A ghostwriter might’ve been hired, who would’ve toned down the know-it-all attitude that so many citizens find objectionable about Mr. Gore.

I KNEW this was coming. If Al wants to try to run he must remove himself from the Clinton's. Too late... he can't all of a sudden have morals for the garbage he pulled in Fla-especially.

Nor his silence to all the crimes and lies on his watch in the WH when he protected his "Don." Who does the desparate DNC think they are foolin---like we don't know they are in a mess and will try Gore even ---for sympathy votes on their manta every vote counts---ONLY if it is democrat!

The wooden one should resolve to quit telling so many damn lies..pure and simple. That one act alone would enhance his family values to some sort of credible state.

And don't just SAY it...he has to actually DO it.

I went and read more of the article AND You forgot the...

PROJECTILE VOMIT ALERT

...a growing number of children are currently born out of wedlock, with single mothers carrying the burden? Or that a growing number of gay couples adopt children?

And if you wanna be just like the "affluent left-wing salons on both coasts of the United States" please be sure to vote for this blithering idiot and his party in 2004.

As an academic exercise, let me begin — with a straight face — by summing up what the husband-wife team found out about the state of the family.

------------------------

I understand the state of that family. Tipper has been under treatment for chronic deptession for years. If I were married to Owlgore I'd be suicidally depressed too.

I'm almost positive Al will be running - he is the dem's sacrificial lamb. A man completely void of any morals. No man of morals would have sold out airline security for a half million in campaign contributions. Nor would one have allowed millions of illegals to become citizens (without criminal background checks) in the name of votes. Al Gore is so over, he is the perfect choice for democrats in 2004.

That a growing number of children are currently born out of wedlock, with single mothers carrying the burden?

One wonders if the Gore's offer abortion as any type of solution for some of these problems. If abortion were used all the time, there would be no families to have any problems. This type of 'logic' is not a reach for these people.

I'm surprised there wasn't a chapter published this summer in The Atlantic.

I betting maybe 3 people will actually buy this toilet paper, but you're on the right track.

You can rest assured the media blitz will be overwhelming, to say the least, with these two nitwits campaigning for '04 under the guise of sharing their wisdom and "findings" on national TV while the likes of Katie Couric, Matty Lauer and Charlie Gibson roll on the floor like obedient puppies and hump Al's leg.

But what I really want to know is, how many trees were senselessly slaughtered to produce this mess???

Good points! I almost forgot about that Dateline or was it 20/20 piece on Al gore and the DNC putting airline security last and making the bucks for their self rightious party.

They should be so guilty after 9/11. And TO THINK they tried SO HARD to blame 9/11 on Presidwent Bush! All awhile THEY KNEW they had just cowtailed the airlines strict security policies for a kickback.And they had privy terror info. on the Clinton watch about terrorisim and they still did this! UNREAL! They are filthy rat liars!

Thank God the American public woke-up!

I picked this book up at the book store last night. It's mainly depressing. "Glass half-empty" kind of thing.

There is one picture of Gore, apparently reading a bedtime story to his kids. It looks staged.

Gore has never seemed like a deep thinker. Tipper either. They have proved that with this book.

After last Tuesday night, I couldn't have imagine feeling that "giddy" again. I had to admit, though, that all these articles about the Gores and the Clintons are like the icing on the cake, aren't they?

Didnt she also claim to have been abducted by aliens some time ago? I remember reading that but, of course, it was before 1992.

Also - I dont think the majority of America needs to buy a book to find out about the state of the family. Only people who have no direction will buy this book and, (not so)coincidentally, those same people will vote for whichever Dim is at the head of the ticket in '04.

I would like to see Al Gore get into a debate with Margaret Thatcher. What passes for his brain cells would boil in his skull and pour out of his ears.

Not that it would make much difference to his personality, but it would be fascinating. ;)

Regards, Ivan

Some pretty good book tiltes in the link below.

One of my favorites book titles was by Registered:

"Sore Loserfamily"

Check this link--> Help Algore Name His New Book

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PROJECTILE VOMIT ALERT

"Re-Inventing the American Family"

by Al & Tipper Gore

"Sore Loserfamily"