Credit to Gore for seeing what is coming down the road: Voters are not going to be any more definitive the next time out in a Bush-Gore battle, it would be very expensive, and would probably get about the same result, maybe with a bit of a swing to Bush as the incumbant...
More importantly, Bush and Gore are about the same, in many ways, and the last presidential election, except for the whole Florida issue, was actually quite boring. Bush coming off smug and distant, and Gore coming off smart but aloof... neither of them very engaging people the last time. out. Bush has certainly improved his "personal" skills, and I think that is part of the reason Gore won't run - the differences are so small that any improvement on Bush's behalf is enough to tip the scales.
The Democrats not doing well at the midterm elections is also a certain key - not because anyone voted against Gore, but because the Democrats will have to come out swinging with some new things to get people's attention for 2004.
Gore was Bush's assurance of being more of a President than his daddy... new blood on the other side might change that yet.
Alex
__________________
Let's go to the edge of disaster Push the pedal and go a little faster Let's slam into a wall at ramming speed Let's go to the edge of a mountain Jump off and lets start countin' Hit the ground and tell me if it bleeds
|