RAT Gore, gosh darnit!

[NashGay@aol.com]

I like Gore.  He can do everything Clinton can do without the scandals and 
with the benefit of 8 years of watching what does and doesn't work.  A 
benefit Clinton didn't have.  Gore's a master of details.  Yes, he's central. 
 Economically moderate.  Socially he comes off moderate but he's actually 
more progressive. 

To the Nader folks-- Ralph Nader is great.  

He can't win, but you know that.  So, the strategic question becomes: is 
giving him your vote so in 4 years the green party will qualify for matching 
funds and still lose worth letting bush name up to 4 anti-choice justices to 
the supreme court?  We'll, also, lose other social gains (choice, gay rights, 
environmental protections, education) all so the Green Party can have 
matching funds.  If it ever does become a viable party, it will end up having 
to compromise with the democrats in order to beat the new republican majority 
its rise will have created.  A better strategy is to fight for progressive 
change within the Democratic party.  Look at how strategic the far right is 
being right now.  They aren't voting for Buchannan because being out of power 
for 8 years makes them hungry to get back into power.  

I've heard an argument for Green that goes something like "Let's send a 
message to the Democratic Party.  We vote Green, Dems will lose without us 
then say to itself "Well, we better go Left and get those Greens back."  This 
is a long shot.  Carter, Mondale and Dukkakis taught us that we actually 
needed to move to the center to win the white house back from Reagan and Bush 
Hell.  If the Democratic Party is too moderate or conservative for you, the 
better strategy is to change it, not give the White House to the Republicans 
and hope that will change the Democratic Party. We languished for 12 years 
the last time a lot of us stayed home or voted for ANderson.  Keep the power 
away from the Reps AND change the Dems.

Focus your efforts on changing, not bringing down the Democratic Party.  Get 
the Dem party to embrace a more progressive social, environment and economic 
agendas.

Send a message to the Republicans-- no to Bush!  And work to win the 
Democratic Party back from the Center.  Vote Gore!!