Issue No 74 | 20 October 2000 | |
PoliticsUSA Campaign 2000 - On the RoadBy Michael Gadiel
Michael Gadiel reports on the thrills, spills, highs and lows of the US Presidential Election.
This is the first of four campaign reports by Michael providing up to the week news and analysis on the Presidential race. Arriving in Los Angeles, I had set foot, for the first time, in the "Land of Cheese". The world's, oldest democracy, the place that brought us the Internet, Bill & Monica, the Simpsons, Coke, truth, justice, and the great American way! This Presidential Election is shaping up to be the closest since the 1960 Kennedy v Nixon race. The polls are putting the candidates, Vice-President Al Gore and Governor George W. Bush, neck and neck. Unemployment is down to six percent. After six years of continuous economic expansion, largely driven by the new economy the US is in good shape. Conventional wisdom, given the position of the economy, would dictate a clear Gore victory, but there are a range of factors making this election more complex. Gore is in a difficult position. He is trying to associate himself with the successes of the Clinton Administration, whilst disassociating himself from the sleeze factor. Gore's success in acheiving this and his performance at the Democratic Convention brought him back from behind, to equal Bush in the polls. Unlike previous campaigns, economic performance is down the list of election priorities, making education and health the key issues with voters. Forward estimates are predicting massive budget surpluses, so Americans are focusing on the distribution benefits of their economic success. Both Gore and Bush have put forward their plans in these areas. Predictably, Gore's plans emphasize expansion of government programs, whilst Bush's policies focus on incentives and tax cuts to individuals. Bush also proposes a very large tax cut to middle and upper income earners. Bush proposes a system for school education whereby parents may withdraw their children from public school and redeem a $1,500 education voucher from the government to put towards private schooling. Gore proposes greater funding and support for public schools. Bush's proposal is gaining little support because in practice, vouchers would not nearly cover the cost of private school fees, whilst at the same time would draw resources away from the public system. This proposal would seem to undermine the public schools without providing poorer families with any real options. Both candidates need to win the State of Florida to obtain the Presidency. George Bush's brother, Jeb Bush, is the Governor of Florida, so it was initially expected that he would be able to deliver the State to his brother. But Florida has a high proportion of retirees, making health the major issue. In health, Bush supports further benefits to individuals who have private health insurance similar to John Howard's private health rebate scheme. Gore promises to focus on the 15% of the population that have no health insurance. Both candidates propose a Patients' Bill of Rights. In particular, Gore proposes a program for prescription rebates, including full recovery of costs for elderly people earning less than $11,000. The health issue has allowed Gore to steal some of Bush's support in Florida. The Democrats generally have more credibility in the areas of health and education; indeed Gore's proposals seem to be more popular. The problem is his personality. The perception that he behaved agressively and condecendingly towards his opponent during the presidential debates has done him damage. Bush's homespun, folksy style seems to appeal to the American voter. Perversely, Gore's obvious command over the issues, and his intellectual domination over Bush are putting him at a disadvantage. Bush's fuzzy statements about small government and platitudes about bringing government back to the folks appear to be more in tune with public sentiment are we now feeling comfortable and relaxed? With the possibility of the election going either way, it appears to be a choice between issues and personality. In the remaining nineteen days of the campaign Gore will try to focus on the issues and differentiate his polices from Bush's. Bush, in turn, will try to blur the differences, and put the focus back on Gore's personality. With the debates concluded and the campaign reaching it's climax, voters are starting to make up their minds. The issues in this campaign are real but complex, Gore clearly has the advantage in this area, but as Samuel L Jackson said, "personality goes a long way".
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Interview: Politics Italian Style Italian journalist's union official Rodolfo Falvo talks to Peter Lewis about Italy's Rupert Murdoch and why Italian politics is so crazy. Unions: A Partnership That Works Students at Williamstown High in Victoria are benefiting from a creative partnership with TAFE and the Electrical Trades Union. Kevin Peoples reports. International: Fiji Paymasters Fill Their Own Pockets The Interim Administration imposed on the people of Fiji, as a result of the coup-makers, have voted themselves a hefty pay increase at the same time as they demand public sector workers take a twelve per cent pay cut. Politics: USA Campaign 2000 - On the Road Michael Gadiel reports on the thrills, spills, highs and lows of the US Presidential Election. Women: Party Girl 'You can take the girl out of the Port, but you can't take the Port out of the girl' - Stephanie Key recounts her life as a feminist in a male bastion, the Transport Workers Union. Satire: Telstra to issue $50,000 Reith Phonecard CANBERRA, Monday: Telstra have announced Peter Reith-themed phonecard. The phonecard allows friends and family to make $50,000 worth of phone calls on it before you receive a bill. Plus, you only have to pay the bill in total if there is sufficient public outrage, otherwise the card costs just $950. Review: Health, Wealth and Mutual Obligations Mutual obligation for the poor only, increasing income inequality and a widening health gap. Welcome to the 21st century -or is it the 19th?
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