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Gore to sharpen attacks on BushBy Wolf Blitzer/CNN
July 26, 1999 WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, July 26) -- Vice President Al Gore is planning to sharpen his criticisms of Texas Gov. George W. Bush in the coming weeks while continuing his policy of ignoring former Sen. Bill Bradley, his only competition in the race for the 2000 Democratic presidential nomination, CNN has learned. The strategy is designed to reinvigorate the Gore campaign, which has been buffeted by missteps, and consolidate the vice president's lead over Bradley. "For the moment, taking him on would only increase his (Bradley's) visibility and credibility, would make him seem as though a real alternative to the vice president," said CNN political analyst Stuart Rothenberg. "If you don't have to do that, and the polls right now suggest the vice president doesn't, then Gore probably shouldn't." Gore aides also say substantive differences with Bradley are minor, which the aides say is not the case with Bush, who leads the Republican field for the 2000 nomination in the polls and also holds a large fund-raising advantage. Bush has collected nearly $37 million so far -- twice the amount Gore has raised. Gore aides say the vice president won't mention the Texas governor by name but will increasingly drive home what they call "comparisons and contrasts" on such issues as gun control, the environment and large tax cuts. The vice president's supporters also insist that Gore campaign chairman Tony Coelho slowly but surely is getting his team organized. They say political adviser Carter Eskew, despite his highly-publicized role in working for the tobacco industry, will formulate the overall campaign message in a position similar to the role played by political consultant Dick Morris for the Clinton-Gore campaign in 1996. They insist personal tensions between Eskew and his former business partner Bob Squire -- also a key Gore strategist -- have eased. Gore supporters say reports of disarray inside the campaign are greatly exaggerated, in part because Gore's campaign headquarters are in Washington where most of the national political reporters are based. Says one Gore aide: "They need something to write about." |
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MORE STORIES:Monday, July 26, 1999
• Senate takes up tax cuts • Judge allows damaging secret tape recordings at Cisneros trial • Would-be Reagan assassin cleared for daytrips • Long Island congressman to enter New York Senate race • Clinton walks in Moroccan funeral procession, meets other world leaders • House bill would increase time off for organ donations • Mrs. Clinton's run brings GOP money • State surpluses highest since 1980, survey shows • Springer contemplates Senate run • Clinton: Tentative trade pact is 'major step' toward normalizing ties with Vietnam • Goal of 100,000 new cops questioned • Not all governors onboard for 'National Admit You're Happy Day' • Donor-list flap has PBS in the soup • Emergencies are common budget plans • Aides help keep Bush on track • Candidates skeptical about gambling [an error occurred while processing this directive] | |||||||||||||||||||||
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