Al Gore's family hasn't been working hand in glove with the Saudi Royals for a couple of generations. Bush's has. Most of the 9/11 bombers were Saudis, as is Osama bin Laden.
Gore won the popular vote, no question. Bush won the electoral vote, with some questions. It has been suggested that he allowed 9/11 to happen to prop up a shakey presidency.
As of September 10, 2001, George W. Bush was a joke. As of October 10, he was a hero.
I don't know if he knew. I don't know if he let it happen. I do know that 9/11 was the best thing that could have happened to George W Bush.