This was a bit better,although they both were trying so hard to be nice in the beginning that they sounded like they were running on the same ticket.About 1/3 of the way through it warmed up,and the two became more specific about their differences.I liked Gore's frankness about his environmental views,particularly Global Warming,which Bush indicated was worth looking at but is still theoretical.I also liked Gore's re-emphasis of a point he had won in the last debate...that genocide represents a threat to our national interest.He also had Bush sweating on the record of health care for children in Texas,when he said that the tax cuts had caused continued suffering,diverting the money to wealthy interests.Bush scored some points on his pragmatic view of foreign policy ("who are we to say people must govern themselves as we do?"),although I think Gore's idealistic approach is in closer agreement with mine. I don't,however,like Gore's adamant support of Hate Crimes Legislation,and I think Bush makes sense when he says that there is no greater crime than murder,and the law needs no contributing "hate" factors to make that crime more reprehensible.

I liked George's Dad,and in much the same way,I find George W a likeable fellow.He's a "plain speaker". But I don't think he does a lot better with "the vision thing" than Senior did.He may be a very effective manager,but I find myself leaning farther toward Gore because I have more confidence in his world-view and leadership abilities.