Chapter 0
“The Well-Amused Audience”- A Gore 2000 TL
by MildredSimms
Chapter 0- We Need to Remake America
by MildredSimms
Chapter 0- We Need to Remake America
When looking back at the 2000 election, historians often cite Al Gore’s decision to have President Bill Clinton hit the campaign trail hard as a critical factor for his success in the election. Although Gore himself would later state in interviews that he had been reluctant about the choice, he had been convinced by his campaign staff. It was not a decision he would regret. Governor of Texas and Republican candidate George W. Bush had what many would call a less than optimal performance in the debates. The cherry on top was when he expressed a desire to drastically cut benefits from the Social Security program or even remove it entirely in order to save money on the federal budget. In spite of that, the polls continued to predict a relatively close election, until a few days prior to the election, it was revealed that George Bush had pleaded guilty to a DUI in 1986. Along with Bush’s seeming inability to say anything about the DUI (he instead had a campaign spokeswoman speak for him) and Gore’s strengthened attacks on Bush’s poor judgment and lack of experience, the Gore campaign readied themselves for a victory. They were not ready, however, for just how victorious they would be. Al Gore would be easily elected as the 43rd president of the United States and Governor Bush would concede the election early the next morning. The Democrats would also get a majority in the Senate and greatly reduce the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, picking up five seats in each. On January 20, 2001, Albert Arnold Gore Jr. would take the oath of office and be sworn in as President of the United States. A sense of optimism filled the hearts of the American people, confident that the prosperity of the ’90s would continue on, this time without any Bill Clinton sex scandals.
Al Gore takes the oath of office as President of the United States
