Ex-Vice President Al Gore returned to Daytona Beach, Florida, where he attempted to steal the Presidential election
2 years ago. All 250 citizens who voted for him turned out for the event.
Posted on 11/04/2002 4:57:46 AM PST by RedBloodedAmerican
DAYTONA BEACH -- Former Vice President Al Gore stepped to the podium at Bethune-Cookman College on Sunday looking to supercharge fellow Democrat Bill McBride's campaign for governor.
But another election, the closest and most contested in Florida and the nation's history, remained on the minds of many in the crowd of 250. Gore still gets their vote almost two years later. Under an old oak tree, supporters held signs that read: "Welcome President Gore!" and chanted: "Gore in Four."
Sans his college-professor beard and most of his post-election girth, Gore tried to diffuse the lingering anger and despair.
"I'm Al Gore," he said introducing himself. "I used to be the next president of the United States."
He went on to joke about his life out of public office, days of riding in rental cars and eating at Shoney's roadside restaurants, before getting serious about the Bush era in both Washington, D.C., and Florida.
"Everything that should be up is down, and everything that is down should be up," he said, referring to unemployment, the stock market and budget surpluses that have become deficits. "Are you better off than you were four years ago?"
Again, Gore interjected humor. "I'm concerned," he said in the middle of a cross-state swing for McBride. "I was the first one laid off."
With McBride posters and banners behind him but the candidate himself campaigning elsewhere, Gore blamed Jeb Bush for Florida's "controversies, problems and divisions" that followed the bitter 2000 presidential election.
"Gov. Bush prevented thousands of qualified voters from voting. He'll try to discourage you from voting again," he told the crowd, an even mix of whites and blacks. "I urge you to look at the economy and what's happening to education. Florida is rated 49th overall. How long is that going to go on? Bill McBride wants to make education the No. 1 priority. He stands for inclusion. In two days, you can make a change. The name of the game is turnout."
Looking out at a "Florida, a Sunny Place for Shady Elections" sign, Gore said that the 2000 presidential election in Florida should prove to everyone that every vote really does count.
"If you hear anyone say that one vote doesn't count, tell them to come see me," Gore said, smiling. "Whatever the issue, the stakes are high and the contrasts are clear. On the environment. Health care. Civil rights. And now, we have justice."
Gore shook a fist in the air and shouted: "Can you stand for justice?" The crowd cheered.
The man who was almost president, ridiculed in the past for his stiffness as a speaker, was calmer and smoother than the last time he campaigned in Florida. On Sunday, Gore was officially working to help get McBride elected. But after the speech, Gore spent 30 minutes posing for photographs and signing autographs, an indication that Bush/Gore, the sequel, was a possibility in 2004.
"I have not ruled out running again. But I'm going to wait and look at all the factors," Gore said. "It's not a personal issue about 2000. (Right now) it's about 2002 and what's going to happen in Florida the next four years."
Ex-Vice President Al Gore returned to Daytona Beach, Florida, where he attempted to steal the Presidential election
2 years ago. All 250 citizens who voted for him turned out for the event.
Here's a chuckle 4 you, too... 
Must have been invitro fertilization. The guys so stupid he probably sh*ts in the sink and pees in the bathtub.
Hopefully, when he finally "blows," it will be live on national TV for the whole world to see.
Hey, if the Dim's want to show up at the polls in 4 years and try to elect him POTUS, who are we to stop them? ;^p
Gore: 97,313
Bush: 82,368
These figures are from The World Almanac, which doesn't say how many voted for Nader, Buchanan, Browne, or other minor candidates in the county. Gore's margin was slightly less than Clinton's over Dole in 1996. Percentagewise, Gore's margin in Volusia Co. was much less than in Broward, Gadsden, Palm Beach, or Leon counties.
Even McBride didn't want to be seen with him. Watched the McBride/Clinton rally replay on CSpan last night. Lousy speeches by lousy men. It was outside and the lighting was so bad you couldn't see the faces of the speakers. Sounded like a very small turnout.
--Boris
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