TY THOMAS
Age 28
Resides Brooklyn
Occupation Lawyer
Should Al Gore run for president again? I think he's going to run and he'd be smart to. He's been smarter about his life since the election than he was during it. I really think he failed to listen to what the people who liked and supported him wanted. In the 2000 election I was on the fence because I didn't like either candidate. In that election, people were asked who they'd rather have a beer with. Most said Bush because he came across as a regular guy who keeps it simple. If you asked them now who they'd rather sit and have a beer and an intelligent conversation with, I think they'd say Gore.
Do you like him with the beard or without? I like him with a beard, although I don't know if he can win with one.
Who should be the Democratic candidate in 2004? I think if ever there were an election that could be won by an underrepresented category, 2004 will be one. I don't like the fact that whenever we talk about running a woman or an African American candidate, it's always for the vice presidency, not the presidency. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I think Al Gore would be the candidate. You need someone with a clean background, who is socially liberal, but pro-business, which is what Wall Street wants. Now would be the time for a Northeastern candidate to step up.
MEG HARTWICK
Age 21
Resides Manhattan
Occupation Dancer
Should Al Gore run for president again? My stance on this has really changed since the 2000 election. I'm more informed. I did vote for Al Gore, but I was 18 and voting for the first time. I had gone to a Nader rally and wanted to vote for Nader but felt that if he were elected, he would be unable to get anything accomplished. I don't know that he really wants to be in the system, but he is responsible for waking up my generation. In Tom Robbins's Still Life With a Woodpecker, there's a woman who is obsessed with Ralph Nader.
Do you like him with the beard or without? Without.
Who should be the Democratic candidate in 2004? I really don't know. I'm going to pay more attention this time to what is being said and debated.
BRAD BASKIN
Age 22
Resides Manhattan
Occupation Student
Should Al Gore run for president again? Yes. I think it's great that he's coming back. I don't know what his chances are. I also saw Ralph Nader's name come up again.
Do you like him with the beard or without? Without.
Who should be the Democratic candidate in 2004? I think right now that Al Gore has the best chance of beating Bush, but so much could happen in the next two years. Bush is creepy, and he's obsessed with running. I guess with 67 percent of Americans being overweight, promoting physical fitness is a good thing, but there are other big issues—like South America and the Middle East. And the war on terrorism. On ABC the other night the anchor said that the U.S. had issued a terror alert but they haven't acknowledged it yet. If they haven't acknowledged it, what's it doing on network news?
BILLY CROSBY
Age 25
Resides Manhattan
Occupation DJ
Should Al Gore run for president again? I didn't vote for him in 2000, I voted for Nader. I think it's a cliché to vote for a candidate simply because you think not to is throwing a vote to the other guy. More people should vote for the candidate they think will do the best job. I do think we need to come up with a candidate with more of a vision. Gore's having to run after Clinton was like making the NBA finals and having to face the Chicago Bulls.
Do you like him with the beard or without? With a beard. I think he looks like a hippie college professor and I like it. But to look "presidential" you can't have a beard.
Who should be the Democratic candidate in 2004? None of the potential candidates. I think it's time for a strong woman like Whoopie Goldberg. Her head's in the right place and she'd call everyone on their stuff.
PETAR MAYMOUNKOV
Age 23
Resides Manhattan
Occupation Student
Should Al Gore run for president again? Yes, definitely. He's smarter and has more experience than Bush, although statistically, I don't know if he's going to win. Middle Americans remind me of Bulgaria during the Communist time. They don't reason. Bulgarians living in the countryside supported the Communists because they thought they were keeping crime down. They weren't paying attention to the fact that the country was going bankrupt. Then a democratically elected government came in, prices went up, and these same people were crying for the old regime.
Do you like him with the beard or without? I've never seen him with a beard.
Who should be the Democratic candidate in 2004? From what I know, Al Gore.
BRANDON VANOVER
Age 27
Resides Brooklyn
Occupation Agent's assistant
Should Al Gore run for president again? I don't know if he has a sword in the fire but I'd say good luck to him. I voted for him in 2000. Now I think I wanted him to succeed so much that I was willing to ignore things like his running mate. If he runs, I think that he's going to have to become more knowledgeable about things like foreign policy.
Do you like him with the beard or without? With a beard. He looks more rugged.
Who should be the Democratic candidate in 2004? Bob Dylan. He's had all the answers all along. He's a genius.
DIANN MARCHLEWSKI
Age 21
Resides Manhattan
Occupation Student
Should Al Gore run for president again? I don't know. I'm a registered Independent and I vote for whoever I think would do best in office. I thought Bill Clinton did a good job, and under the circumstances, Bush is doing a good job, too. Clinton was a natural speaker and unfortunately Al Gore, who is so smart, doesn't have that.
Do you like him with the beard or without? Without. I really don't like facial hair. I think it was just another attempt to be what people wanted him to be.
Who should be the Democratic candidate in 2004? Hillary Clinton. She held her own during her husband's troubles and I think she'd do a better job than either Bush or Gore.
FRANK SIM
Age 30
Resides New Jersey
Occupation Teacher
Should Al Gore run for president again? I voted for him in 2000, but I'm not sure what his politics are now. I thought the one word that would sum up that campaign was weak.
Do you like him with the beard or without? I like facial hair, but I don't think he can win with a beard.
Who should be the Democratic candidate in 2004? Right now, Al Gore would be the Democrats' best chance.
TANYA TAYLOR
Age 27
Resides Brooklyn
Occupation Artist
Should Al Gore run for president again? I'm not from New York and have lived here only since last year. I barely followed the 2000 election from my home in Jamaica. I might have watched a bit of coverage on television. Our current prime minister, P.J. Patterson, is very popular. I think most people would say he was fairly elected.
Do you like him with the beard or without? I've never seen a picture of Al Gore. I could identify Clinton, he's more popular.
Who should be the Democratic candidate in 2004? I think Clinton should run again. His scandal involved things that many other presidents have done. I think he is genuine and for the people. My spirit takes to him in a way it doesn't take to Bush.
PAT FROLIC