The New York Times > Washington > Campaign 2004 > Rebounding From 2000, Gore Urges Bush’s Defeat

From the NY Times: Mr. Gore has been increasingly critical of the president recently, and his speech seemed not entirely in keeping with the Democrats’ strategy of building up Senator John Kerry rather than denigrating George W. Bush. Mr. Gore said Mr. Bush had divided the country, not united it, as he promised in 2000. “Has the promise of compassionate conservatism been fulfilled?” the former vice president asked, according to a prepared text. “Or do those words now ring hollow?”

When I heard that the message to the convention was “tone down the attacks”, I wondered whether or not this is the best course. It depends on the nature of the criticisms. It seems to me that the “undecided” may be among the ones who can be outraged, and are looking for some backbone.

The level of corruption and deceit in this adminitration makes it almost a sin to keep these concerns to ourself. If it was thought that Gore broke the rules, then good for him.

I just heard a guy on PBS say thatr Gore and Carter “realize” the need to appeal to the undecided and will do this “for the team”. Again, I hear an awaful lot of outrage; what are these people going to think of a candidate who shows no outrage?

I hate to say it, also ….but I am not convinced that “talking about the positives of Kerry is a strionger appeal thanb talking about the concerns that the Bush administration’s actions have caused.

Jimmy Carter is about to step up……