WASHINGTON - Vice-President Al Gore has faced a host of tests in his 52 years: a stint in Vietnam, a failed bid for the White House, the serious injury of his young son, and the impeachment of the President he served.
This week, in Los Angeles, he faces arguably the severest test of his life: he must convince the Democratic Party and the voting public that he has the right stuff to be President.
Two weeks ago, at the Republican National Convention, the pressure was on the nationally untested George W. Bush to introduce himself to the American public and quell doubts about his presidential potential. He passed the test with flying colours and his poll ratings duly rose.
Al Gore needs no such national introduction, but the convention is just as crucial for him as the Republican gathering was for Bush. His liability is the very opposite of Bush's. The American public knows a great deal about him, perhaps too much for his good, and if he cannot present himself anew as a compelling, coherent and attractive candidate, his chances of succeeding Bill Clinton in the White House look slim.
Coherence is Gore's biggest problem. "Will the real Al Gore stand up?" has been a leitmotif of the critiques of the Vice-President's White House bid since he announced his intention of running more than a year ago. It has worried rank-and-file Democrats and prompted a barb from Bush in his convention speech.
His top team was in perpetual flux until the arrival of former Commerce Secretary William Daley six weeks ago, casting doubt on his ability to identify, recruit and keep effective lieutenants. He has changed his garb almost by the week: from presidential to casual to sporty and back this week to presidential-casual (shirtsleeves and tie). His accent veers from exaggerated southern to clipped Prep-school northern, not just according to whether he is in home state of Tennessee, but according to the perceived social class of his audience.
Despite flashes of spontaneity and passion and months on the campaign trail, his appearances often lack conviction. The impression he gives is one of over-acting.With his eldest daughter, Karenna, and last week with the more naturally outgoing Joseph Lieberman, Gore has shown that he could start to loosen up. Unless his artificiality falls away, however, it will be hard for him to convey the sort of sincerity that comes naturally to Bush.
Gore's political record also lacks consistency, which has given him a reputation for spinelessness and "pandering" to the favoured constituency of the moment. As a Congressman from Tennessee, he abandoned his anti-abortion and pro-gun stances as he prepared to seek national office in a Democratic Party more northern than southern in character.
From those u-turns to his public call this year for the Cuban boy, Elian Gonzalez, to remain in the United States, Gore has given the impression of placing expedience before principle.
His ruthless hatchet-job on the mild-mannered Bill Bradley, his rival for the Democratic nomination in the primaries, also left an ambiguous impression on voters. While the Vice-President emerged as a fighter, he also came across as so desperate for victory that he would employ even the basest of tactics to win.
The pre-convention week was good for Gore. The reception for his choice of Lieberman as his running mate was enthusiastic and almost unalloyed. Gore was praised for his boldness in naming an Orthodox Jew to his ticket; and his party claimed credit for acting out the "inclusiveness" of which the Republicans had only boasted.
Clinton made his contribution by uttering yet another public apology for his moral lapse in the White House, and pleading that his sins not be visited on his Vice-President. On Saturday, Gore rushed to Detroit to accept the endorsement of the United Auto Workers. This major trade union, which he had courted in vain for months, had finally abandoned its threat to stay neutral and come into the Gore fold. Perhaps, finally, the pieces of his campaign are falling into place, but few outside his immediate team are betting on it.
It is fashionable in Washington to say that party conventions have been emptied of meaning and excitement because they do not actually select presidential nominees any more. Tell that to George W. Bush as he prepared to give the speech of his career - and try telling that to Al Gore.
- INDEPENDENT
Artful Gore faces biggest test
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