I think it's absurd that we look at so many things - ethnic/gender acceptability, good looks, party affiliation, running mate - before we look at a candidate's record of public service. Nader's record as a whistle blower is commendable, but it doesn't necessarily mean he will be a good president. The president needs to be able to govern, i.e., compromise when necessary, build coalitions in support of policy decisions, lead and inspire the "body politic". Jimmy Carter showed us clearly what can happen when a man is on the right side of the issues but does not know how to negotiate the bureaucracy.

Bush is a cipher. His record shows us very little, other than that he is smart enough to find handlers who can build him into a very good candidate. As for being a man of principle who will uphold the fine Republican traditions, I cannot see it yet. Maybe it will become clearer as the campaign runs and the debates are held. I know picking Cheney is viewed by some in the GOP as proving that GWB recognizes presidential timber when he sees it. So why didn't they nominate Cheney for pres, instead of the photogenic guy with all the name recognition. If I were the republicans, I wouldn't be so quick to forget that "George Bush" is the name of a repudiated former President.

That brings us to Al Gore, who appears to be a better man than he is a candidate. His handlers have completely ruined him. I believe that if the let the man's intellect and humor show people would like him more. He is not Bill Clinton. And all those women who supported Clinton and are abandoning Gore (why? because he's not sexy??)should be ashamed. Not being Clinton should be another point in his favor. He is better than Clinton.

I don't blame him for not repudiating Clinton during the Lewinsky stuff; it would have been disloyal and horribly self-serving to add fuel to that grease fire. I think his silence once the big lie fell through was a proper response for a man in his position. Whether he is culpable in the fund raising "scandal" is an entirely different issue. It may have been wrong, it may have been stupid, but it ain't nothing but politics. And as the late mayor of Chicago Harold Washington said, "politics ain't beanbag." I can't see where this negates all those years of service. If you think that makes him a less worthy candidate than George Dubya, I have a word for you - "REPUBLICAN". IMHO