Gore, on campaign stump, says no return to 'old and broken policies of past'- June 17, 1999

Gore, on campaign stump, says no return to 'old and broken policies of past'

June 17, 1999
Web posted at: 6:15 p.m. EDT (2215 GMT)

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (AllPolitics, June 17) -- Vice President Al Gore tried Thursday to distance himself from presidential front-runner and Texas Gov. George W. Bush by decrying those who want to promote "the old and broken policies of the past."

"Some want to move our economic strategy backward, not forward," Gore said in a speech at Hesser College in Manchester that came only three days after Bush's visit to the same state.

Without naming Bush directly, Gore managed to suggest that returning a Bush to the White House might mean a return to the bad old days.

"Some will peddle the same trickle-down travesty that gave us huge deficits, low growth, and rising inequality," he said. "America cannot move into the new and global economy with the old and broken policies of the past."

"I want to go forward," Gore said at the town hall meeting in the state that holds the nation's first presidential primary.

New Hampshire will become the stage of crucial primaries early next year when Republicans and Democrats begin the selection of their presidential nominees.

Gore's only challenger for the Democratic nomination is former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey who trails Gore in polls as well as party support and dollar contributions.

In an attempt to bring detail and specificity in contrast to the broadbrush approach of Bush, Gore presented a five point proposal for fostering economic expansion and technological innovation that included a pledge to increase the federal government investment in information technology.

"I will fight to extend and expand tax cuts for research and development so the private sector can invest in the jobs and discoveries of the future," he said.

The vice president also called on the U.S. House of Representatives to vote the "right way" and close the loophole which allows people to buy guns at gun shows without background checks.

During his speech, Gore was interrupted by hecklers from a group called "AIDS drugs for Africa" who say the vice president has blocked South Africa's efforts to manufacture and import affordable AIDS drugs. Demonstrators from that same group marred his announcement speech Wednesday in Carthage, Tennessee.

Gore, who started his announcement tour in his hometown in Tennessee Wednesday, continued his swing in New York City later Thursday before taking off for the West Coast for two days. His campaign trail in New York included a Wall Street rally and an evening Gore 2000 gala reception.

CNN's Jeanne Meserve contributed to this report.

GORE DECLARES

Gore launches presidential campaign (6-16-99) How will the two sides of Al Gore impact his White House hopes? (6-16-99)

TRANSCRIPT
Al Gore's chat with AllPolitics (6-17-99) Gore announces presidential candidacy (6-16-99)

VIDEO
Gore announces his candidacy (6-16-99) Real: 28K \| 80K, Windows Media: 28K \| 80K

PROFILES
Al Gore's road from Tennessee to the White House Who is Tipper Gore?

2000 CAMPAIGN
Will Gore fall victim to Clinton fatigue? (5-27-99) The Political Play of the Week: Gore makes a move (5-21-99) Gore 2000 names former Rep. Coehlo campaign chairman (5-11-99) Are women deserting Gore? (4-29-99) Gore: Campaign will 'be about the American people' (3-10-99)

POLLS
Forty-five percent say they will vote against Gore (6-15-99) Gore and Bush supporters cite experience, characters as top reasons (6-11-99) Bush riding high, partly because he is not Gore (6-8-99)

RELATED SITES
Gore 2000 Office of the Vice President

MESSAGE BOARD
Run for the White House

Gore, on campaign stump, says no return to 'old and broken policies of past'

CNN's Jeanne Meserve contributed to this report.

MORE STORIES:

Thursday, June 17, 1999