November 11, 1999
Web posted at: 1:23 p.m. EST (1823 GMT)

CONCORD, New Hampshire (NHPrimary.com) -- Vice President Al Gore is committed to keeping New Hampshire’s presidential primary first beyond the 2000 election, his wife, Tipper, said Wednesday.

Mrs. Gore, accompanied by a few dozen supporters, filed official papers and paid the $1,000 filing fee to place her husband’s name on the Feb. 1 ballot.

Democratic National Chairman Joe Andrew has directed two standing committees to study how to change the political calendar for the 2004 election.

But Mrs. Gore said her husband wants to keep New Hampshire as the first event on the calendar.

"Yes, my husband has made it very clear that he thinks New Hampshire should stay as the No. 1 in the nation primary,’’ she told reporters after making his candidacy official.

She downplayed the importance of Gore adviser Naomi Wolf, who was hired at a rate of $15,000 a month to advise Gore on how to appeal more to women voters.

"Let’s see, I think it’s basically a story that is of interest inside the Beltway. She is one of many, many advisers that he looks to for different viewpoints on a variety of issues,’’ Mrs. Gore said.

A reporter asked if Gore was too much of an unassertive or so-called "beta male" and not enough of a self-assured or "alpha male."

"I’m not too sure exactly what you mean by that. I think my husband is on target with his message that health care is an issue that needs to be addressed for the families, not only in New Hampshire but the whole country.’’

Mrs. Gore said she is confident Gore will be the choice of most women voting in the state’s Democratic primary.

"In the end, I think many women are going to look at the candidate who voices their view on these issues that are affecting them in their daily lives that they feel quite personally,’’ she said.

"I feel that they are going to decide that Al Gore has the best plan, the best position, the best experience to be able to provide the leadership that people are looking for.’’

Meanwhile, the Gore campaign was scheduled to unveil its third television commercial today, which focuses on Gore’s plan to extend health care coverage to all children by 2005.

"I think it’s just unconscionable at a time when we have the strongest economy in history, we’re the wealthiest nation on earth, to have millions and millions of children who have no health care coverage at all. We ought to change that,’’ Gore says in the ad.

On Wednesday, Democratic rival Bill Bradley released an analysis of their competing health care plans by Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, that favored Bradley in seven of eight categories.

The consumer group called Bradley’s plan a "more meaningful starting point for tackling the problem of the uninsured’’ than Gore’s proposal.

"If now is not the time to address the needs of the 44 million uninsured Americans – 11 million of them children – when is?" Bradley responded in a statement.

"Health care is a large problem that requires a large solution. Now is not the time for timidity; now is the time for bold leadership.’’

Earlier this week, Bradley accused Gore of backing off on support for universal health care in 1993 because Gore pollsters and consultants warned it’s too controversial an issue.

The former New Jersey senator has proposed a plan to subsidize health care coverage for working class adults and also for their children.

Mrs. Gore refused to respond to Bradley’s remarks, other than to make reference to Gore’s criticism of Bradley’s health care plan for children and adults as too expensive.

"He (Gore) has a plan that is paid for, he has a plan that is well thought out and it’s one that he is presenting. If people think it’s a good plan, one that is good for the country, then they will vote for him,’’ Mrs. Gore said.

Gore had been a leader on health care throughout his eight years each in the U.S. House and Senate before he became Bill Clinton’s vice president in 1992, she said.

"My husband has been concerned about health care during his whole career in the House and the Senate," she said. "What is important is what he hears from people and what he thinks could be a real solution to help people in working families who are trying to afford health care for their kids ... and older people."

Thursday, November 11, 1999

• Clinton's lawyers seek delay in lawsuit over house purchase
• Candidates court war veterans on last Veterans Day before 2000 election
• White House and GOP negotiators agree on plan for 100,000 new teachers, search for extra funds
• Polls: McCain ties Bush in New Hampshire; Bradley gains support in New York, Iowa
• NHPrimary.com: Bush refrains from attacking 'good guy' McCain
• NHPrimary.com: Gore make presidential bids official in Concord
• Internet providers left out of satellite bill
• Laywers for Gingrich's wife ask for sanctions against former speaker
• Democrats disagree on patent extension for allergy drug
• Lawmakers agree to restore Medicare cuts
• Analysis: Vice President Al Gore's health care ad
• Analysis: Presidential campaigns put some contestants in 'Jeopardy'
• House promotes fatherhood in low-income families
• Republicans reject White House offer on expiring tax items
• Speaker: Party loyalty big factor in vote on Mississippi governor
• Citing differences, Lewinsky attorney Ginsburg changes law firms
• Forbes bases growing challenge on campaign machinery
• Early hunt for communists in California marked by blunders
• Lady Bird Johnson hospitalized after fainting at home
• Clinton: Veterans paved way for peace

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