Election briefs

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 17, 2000

Bush plans to fight for California

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- George W. Bush sharpened his criticism of Democratic rival Al Gore's policy proposals on Saturday and told Republican activists that Gore is taking a California victory for granted.

"My opponent has made the mistake of already counting the votes of California -- but we are going to earn them," Bush said, looking to reassure the GOP faithful that he will fight all-out to win the nation's largest state.

Bush used the address beamed by satellite into the California Republican convention to pull together attacks on Gore's initiatives on Medicare, Social Security, taxes and education.

Bush charged that Gore's targeted tax cuts, aimed at families saving for college tuition or paying for long-term care, would pass over 50-million American taxpayers.

Gore's Social Security plan would entail "staggering tax increases on the next generation," he said.

The vice president's prescription drug plan forces the elderly to "join a government HMO," and gives them one chance to sign up, at age 641/2, he said.

And while Gore promises "revolutionary" changes in education, "most Americans would settle for high standards, accountability and a choice in the matter," Bush said.

Gore, he said, prefers solutions that turn to big government, rather than individuals.

"In all his plans, who ends up with the power? Who always ends up making the choices? Not taxpayers, but tax collectors," he said.

Gerry Parsky, Bush's California campaign chairman, said GOP polls show Bush trailing 5 or 6 points in California. "In an election like this, that is nothing," he said.

Republican officials said Saturday that if the election were held today, Bush would carry 48 of California 58 counties, based on voter registration. But the 10 counties they view as tilting toward Gore include most of the state's population centers, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose.

Gore courts black support

WASHINGTON -- Democrat Al Gore spent much of the weekend at events courting the black vote and working to motivate turnout among a group that solidly supports him, but doesn't always turn out heavily on Election Day.

The vice president planned to address a Congressional Black Caucus dinner Saturday night, capping off a busy weekend in the nation's capital.

Gore spoke to an enthusiastic overflow crowd of 1,600 students at Washington's historically black Howard University on Friday morning. That night, Gore addressed a standing-room-only audience of black appointees of the Clinton administration.

Political analysts say that Gore may be able to count on a high percentage of the black vote in his race against George W. Bush. But they say assuring a heavy black turnout is vital to his chances -- especially in swing states like New Jersey, Missouri, Florida and Georgia.

The vice president briefly shifted gears from his wooing of the black vote Saturday morning to talk to about 150 high school students who were in Washington attending the National Student Leadership Forum. Gore touched on the topics of faith in politics and encouraged the students to "not allow yourself to give in to the temptation to cynicism."

This week, Gore will head West to raise more money for the Democratic National Committee, which has been financing the bulk of Gore's TV ad war with Bush.

Debate over debates ends

WASHINGTON -- Campaign aides for Al Gore and George W. Bush agreed Saturday to a series of three debates moderated by Jim Lehrer of PBS that both sides said will provide more flexibility and more of a "free-flowing style" than previous debates.

Both campaigns and commission officials called the new approach for the presidential debates "historic."

The formats will provide the moderator more discretion in following up on questions and allowing the candidates to continue to debate a particular topic.

"It gives the moderator a more free-flowing style and more discretion to stay on one particular subject," said Don Evans, campaign chairman for Gov. Bush. "It gives the American people a chance to see the candidates in a more substantive, real discussion."

The 90-minute debates start at 9 p.m. on:

Oct. 3 in Boston at the University of Massachusetts in a traditional, two-lectern format.

Oct. 11 at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C., in a talk-show-style format seated around a table with the moderator. That approach is unprecedented in a presidential debate.

Oct. 17 at Washington University in St. Louis, the candidates will hold a town hall debate similar to ones held in 1992 and 1996 elections.

The vice presidential candidates will debate Oct. 5 at Centre College in Danville, Ky., also in the talk-show format.

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