Manchild Workin' the Roots

The 37th Republican Presidential Convention was, by all odds, well-planned and executed. Senator John McCain, after losing to Governor Bush in a very bitter primary, swallowed his pride and never mentioned the issue of campaign finance reform that brought him to prominence. He also praised George Bush in glowing terms but his delivery of these words was not up to his standard.

General Colin Powell played his part when he said that he was supporting George W. Bush because he didn't reinvent himself. The candidate also said he didn't reinvent himself. Powell and Bush thus were "subtly" attacking Mr. Gore, the Democratic Presidential candidate as the Republicans and their media have been labeling Al Gore with that term for some time now.

On the issue of "reinventing himself" it should be noted that President George H. W. Bush changed his opinion on "Reaganomics" which he described as voodoo economics when he became Ronald Reagan's Vice Presidential choice.

When John McCain praised George W. Bush and when he did not mention campaign finance reform, he "reinvented" himself as it would have been embarrassing to the candidate who has different views on McCain-Feingold's bipartisan bill.

Bush himself "reinvented himself" when he denied that he went knowingly to a Catholic bashing South Carolina College (Bob Jones University). Bob Jones, the founder, is recognized as having racist views. After he was there and was severely criticized, Bush tried to squirm out of the mess he created for himself that led to an editorial in The Journal News; "Bush Backtracks on Bob Jones".

George W. Bush is following in his father's footsteps in winning the 1988 presidential election over Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis when he successfully blackened his reputation.

The issues in this campaign should be which candidate is better qualified; whose record is superior; what party can best preserve the peace and prosperity that we have had these past 8 years; and which candidate's platform is superior? The Democratic Party and Al Gore must let the American voters know that George W. Bush's tactic is not going to work in 2000 the way his father's tactic worked in 1988 against Mike Dukakis.

Drive a Truck Through It

Dick Cheney, George W. Bush's choice for Vice President, was elected six times to the House of Representatives. During the decade that he was a Congressman he established a record which shows that he was one of the most conservative Republicans in the House, especially on major issues such as gun legislation and on abortion.

In making this important decision George W. Bush showed conclusively that he is a true conservative. He could have picked people like Ridge, Whitman, Pataki, Hagel, or Powell. None of them were identified with the Religious Right or the more conservative wing of the Republican Party.

Cheney, when he was selected, made it plain that he was proud of his legislative record. He also predicted victory in November and re-election in four years.

Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, one of six conservative candidates for President, emphasizes the importance of electing a conservative President who will ultimately make three appointments to the Supreme Court.

In making his choice for Vice President Bush selected someone who is loyal to the conservative base of the Republican Party which is the right wing of that party.

The issues are becoming clearer and clearer. The differences between the Democrats and Republican Parties are widening. The ticket of Bush-Cheney shows that the Republican Party is in the control of its most conservative wing. The Democrats under Al Gore are a viable alternative to the conservative Republican Party. Al Gore is a worthy successor to Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter and Clinton.