Bush And Gore: The Issues

Presidential elections have taken place every four years for more than two hundred years. This year is no exception. The forerunners in the 2000 elections are Governor George Bush (Republican) and Vice President Al Gore (Democrat). These candidates have strong and different views on many issues such as crime, abortion and energy.
Crime is a major concern of all American citizens and has been addressed by the majority of candidates in past elections. Voter.com, a web site designed to keep voters informed on the candidates and their stand points on different issues, state that “Al Gore believes that there is no more fundamental responsibility than to make Americans safer and more secure…in there in their homes, on the sidewalks, and in their communities.” Gore also helped pass the “three strikes and you’re out” law. This law was designed to keep career criminals off the streets, expands the death penalty to drug lords, and about sixty additional kinds of violent felons (Al Gore on Issue of Crime/Drugs.) George Bush’s view on crime is plain and simple, tough love. Bush firmly believes that criminals should suffer the consequences for their actions. The backbone of Bush’s view on crime is the death penalty. While Bush was in office more than 134 criminals were executed on Texas’ Death Row. Bush is quoted, “ I support the death penalty because I
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believe…capital punishment is a deterrent against future violence and will save other innocent lives” (George Bush on Issue of Crime/Drugs.)
Abortion is another important issue at the center stage of both candidates’ campaigns. Gore is pro-choice. He believes that women have the right to choose and plans on making abortion safe, legal, and rare. Kate Michelum, President of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, has supported Gore. Michelum stated,” Vice President Gore and the Clinton Administration have always been dedicated to the principles embodied in Roe v. Wade.” Gore is also currently fighting for $4.5 million to fund additional security enhancements for clinics deemed at risk of violence (Al Gore on Issue of Abortion.) Bush is pro-life with the exceptions of rape, incest, and if the life of the mother is endangered. Bush believes that all children should be welcome to life and protected by law. Bush also supports parental notification standards, no use of taxpayer funds for abortions, and increased adoptions (George Bush on Issue of Abortion.) In addition to these things, Bush also strongly advocated the Partial Birth Bill. Bush states,
” I believe that life is valuable, even when it is unwanted, even when it is physically imperfect. I believe our society has a responsibility to defend [the rights of] the vulnerable and the weak. And I believe our nation should set a goal: that unborn children should be welcomed in life and protected in law” (Statement.)
With the country concerned with the high gas prices, the issue of energy has become a cornerstone in the campaign for president. Gore says,
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” We will demand and develop new technologies to free ourselves from gas tank price-gouging, and we will sell those technologies to the world. We’ll build a new generation of fuel-efficient vehicles…and then make it easy for families to afford them.”
Gore’s energy policy is specifically designed to stimulate economic growth, create new jobs, and clean up America’s air and water. His policy covers cars and trucks, homes and businesses, home weatherization, state and local efforts, and empowerment zones. Bush says,
“America must have an energy policy that plans for the future, but meets the needs of today. I believe that we can develop our own natural resources and protect our environment. We are paying a steep price for seven and a half years without an energy policy.”
Bush believes that presidential leadership and a national energy policy will ensure U.S. energy security. Bush’s energy policy has several objectives it will try to reach: to provide energy assistance to low-income households and address short-term supply threats, to make energy security a priority of U.S. foreign policy, to promote the development of U.S. oil and gas Resources, to meet the electricity needs of the new economy, and to protect the environment and develop alternative energy sources (Energy.)
Bibliography
Works Cited
“Al Gore on the Issue of Abortion.” Gore/Lieberman, Inc. 2000.

. (31 Oct 2000).

“Al Gore on the Issue of Crime/Drugs.” Gore/Lieberman, Inc. 2000.

. (31 Oct 2000).

“Energy.” Bush-Cheney 2000, Inc. 2000. . (31 Oct 2000).

“George Bush on the Issue of Abortion.” Bush for President, Inc. 2000.

. (31 Oct 2000).

“George Bush on the Issue of Crime/Drugs.” Bush for President, Inc. 2000.
. (31 Oct 2000).

“New Gore Energy Policy Will Help Families Purchase Energy-Efficient Cars, Trucks
and Homes.” Gore 2000, Inc. 2000. . (31 Oct 2000).

“Statement By Governor George W. Bush Today On Signing Parental Notification Bill.”
Bush-Cheney 2000, Inc. 2000. . (31 Oct 2000).

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