|
Jewish World Review July 26, 2000 / 23 Tamuz, 5760
Chris Matthews
Gore is a store
Here's how it works:
People see George W. Bush as more likeable than his
rival, and more of a leader. They see Al Gore as a junior
partner in the Clinton administration's strong economic
record, as more experienced in national and world policy
than Bush, as solid on abortion rights.
This clear division of assets will decide the election this
Nov. 7.
Forget the poll numbers. Three weeks ago, Bush was
ahead in the Gallup by 12 points. Today he's up by two.
Two weeks from now, following his bounce from the
Republican convention, he'll be flying high again.
These numbers mean almost nothing today. They will
mean absolutely nothing come November.
What will matter is the strength of the two men's assets as
candidates. Why? Because when voters get down to
deciding this first presidential election of the century, they
will pick the man with the best chance of protecting their
assets. They always do.
They will look at which man, Bush or Gore, is the most
solid bet to perform for them.
Bush has some obvious strengths. Unfortunately, most have to do with the
promise, the notion of what he might be capable of doing down the road. In this
respect, his candidacy which came out of nowhere two years ago
resembles a high-flying stock like Amazon.com. It's not about his past
performance. It's about the niche he has created for future sales.
In marketing lingo, George W. Bush has "branded" himself as the young
political entrepreneur from the American Southwest. He carries with him the
spirit of the hotshot start-up, the IPO about to make a fortune for voters with
the moxie to get aboard early.
For months, ever since his Dresden-style bombing of John McCain in South
Carolina, Bush has worked at this self-branding. He's America's Sonny Boy,
the kid with the sunshine smile, the ready handshake for black and white hands
alike. Like Ike, Jack, Ronnie and Bill, he's radiated that same outdoorsy gleam
that has always, whenever Americans have had the option, outshined the
downtown firm of Dewey, Dukakis & Dole.
Bush owns another ready asset: He's got the look of a leader. As governor of a
state, he carries the resume of the guy-in-charge down there in
"don't-mess-with-Texas" country.
These are the qualities likeability and leadership that pollsters have ID'd
as Bush's strengths. People like him because they like him. He's a leader for the
undeniable reason that he's not been a follower, a vice president.
By contrast, Gore's strength is of a bricks-and-mortar kind.
The economy is the strongest in world history. When the Democrats took
charge, the growth rate was zero. Now, that's the size of the deficit. Seven
years ago, middle-class voters had worries. Now they have savings. During the
Bush recession of the early '90s, they were angry that their kids, whose
colleges cost them so much, didn't have jobs. In 2000, they are a little jealous
of what their kids are doing.
Gore has two other assets, both money in the bank.
One is experience. He's been working alongside the likes of Robert Rubin and
Robert Reich. He's got the keys to the factory that produced the balanced
budget, the free trade, the growth, all those millions of 401(k)s out there.
Second, and men hate to hear this, he's got an issue of direct, personal
importance to the largest interest group in the American electorate women.
Gore is pro-choice. Bush is not. Gore backs the constitutional right to an
abortion. Bush doesn't.
So don't look at the polls. They're fickle. Assay the assets. Weigh Bush's
so-far-successful branding against Gore's bricks-and-mortar. Ask yourself:
Which little piggy has built his house with
07/24/00: Will being 'better' sink Hillary?
|