American Election 2000
Campaign Spotlight

By M.R.Josse

HAVING watched the acceptance speech of Republican George W.Bush Jr, Candidate for the upcoming US Presidential sweepstakes, an attempt is attempted here to turn the spotlight on the American presidential elections three months or so before E-Day.

RAZZMATAZZ: Naturally, the razzledazzle and spectacle of the Republican party’s nomination convention in Philadelphia was impressive, though dismissed as a "compassionate conservatism".

Bush emphasised his determination to renew America’s purpose and to end the political and moral drift of the past, seeking support for what is termed as his brand of "masquerade ball" by Democrats.

Emphasising national security, education and medicare reform he also underlined his support for substantial tax relief. Yet, though chock a block with good intentions, his acceptance speech did not have too many specific proposals, which is perhaps natural at this still evoloving stage of the election game.

Also, whille he seemed not too dwell to much on America’s economic prosperity, he appealed to moderates wishing no doubt to be seen as a national unifier at a time when many Americans are divided even embarrassed by the scandals of the Clinton era.

His tone and manner also seemed to epitomize "a more tolerant, more open Republican party", as one commentator put it.

Regarding Bush’s stance on foreign policy, it may be noted that, as foreign policy adviser Condoleeza Rice (who is expected to be national security adviser in a Bush administration) explained, it will be based on the maxim "peace begins with strength."

Rice also said that Bush would project US Power spraringly but firmly even as she sought to bolster what most regard as the Texas governor’s slim foreign policy credentials.

Notably, as per Rice, a Bush administration would push forward with a comprehensive missile defence system despite objections from Russia and China. Furthermore, she stated that Bush would maintain a less accommodating relationship with Beijing than that forged by Clinton who, of course, has touted a policy of "constructive engagement" with China.

Another Bush foreign policy adviser, Robert Zoellick, said at a recent panel discussion that Bush had five priorities, "in particular China and Russia, and to a degree India, and doing that through alliance relationships."

American Enterprise Institute’s, Richard Perle, called Bush a "big picture person" and said that "on the occasions that I’ve heard the governor grappling with foreign policy issues, I’ve been impressed how quickly he goes to the heart of the matter and how instinctively he understands the use of power."

SPOTTING THINGS: Domocratic presidentail candidate, Vice President Al Gore, has the ability to spot events coming up, said Leon Fuerth, his national security adviser. He has shown that ability on such issues as golobal warming and arms control.

Fuerth also said that Gore recognises the hemisphere as the country’s biggest economic partner and culturally that the United States is in part Hispanic, demographically.

Former US Senator Dale Bumpers believed that Gore’s foreign policy would be very similar to that of President Clinton but also more aggressive and more hawkish. Former CIA director, James Woolsey, said he thinks there would be "far more focus on long term objectives and on substance" in a Gore administration.

Former New York Congressman Steven Solarz, however, maintained that one of Gore’s problems would be to make it clear to the American public that a Gore administration would not be an exact ruplica of Clinton’s.

Indeed, May feel that such applies not only to foreign policy but across the board as well. For although the American economy has never been as sound in a very long time, many Americans seem raring for a change after eight years of Democratic rule, not least becuase of the scandals of the past and the political bitterness that today prevails on the score in Washington.

Los Angeles Times journalist Doyle McManus believed that while there would be a lot of continuity between clinton and Gore, there are several points where the vice president would differ, inculuding on his being more ready to use force.

Also, as per McManus, who termed Clinton’s interest in foreign policy as "episodic", Gore "has been interested in foreign policy for a very long time and would immerse himself in the agenda more deeply and more passionately."

What do the polls have to say about the prospects of Gore and Bush ? According to the latest bipartisan Voter.com-Battleground 2000 poll, Bush holds a 12 per cent lead over Gore. It was established that the June 11-13 survey of 1,000 likely voters nationwide doubled Bush’s lead over what it had been in May.

Interestingly, they attributed that to a large Bush lead among men and said the two candidates would be about even among women voters and among union members.

In other polls announced, Bush has a 13-point lead in a CNN-USA Today-Gallup Survey, an eight-point lead in a wall Street Journal-NBC News survey, a seven-point margin in a Zogby survey, and an average six-piont lead in all Gallup surveys since February. A Newsweek poll has the two in a statistical tie.

BEBATES: The bipartisan Commi-ssion on Presidential debates has said that there would be three debates, each 90 minutes long on October 3, 11 and 17 Boston, Winston-Salem and St Louis.

The debates will have a single moderator and include a balance of international and domestic topics. A fourth debates, slated for October 5 in Danville, will involve the vice presidential candidates.

Since they will be broadcast globally, all interested can make their own asessments of the rival candidates and their prospects to become the next American President, come January 20, 2001.

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