There is a fine line between acting the part of a confident frontrunner and appearing arrogant and condescending. Vice President Al Gore leaned dangerously close to the latter last night, and in some people's eyes, he may have crossed the line.
Last night's debate revealed some differences between the candidates, though for the most part many similarities emerged in the way they presented their positions. The most striking difference of last night was simply a matter of style. Though Gore eschewed his connections to the President at the beginning of the debate, one was hard pressed not to think of Clinton as he glibly worked the crowd.
Gore tried to forge connections with the questioners by inquiring into their personal lives, and at the end he made a point of offering to stay and answer more questions. This would have seemed generous and genuine were it not for the fact that he made a point of doing it before the television cameras went off.
The irony is that when Gore is his true self, he is a genuine and insightful politician -- an image which was diminished last night by his transparent efforts to appear in control.
The American public has made it clear they do not want another slick president who worries more about his image than his ideas. How unfortunate it is that Gore seems almost set on transforming himself into the reincarnation of a president the country is eager to leave behind.
Issues of style aside, last night's discussion proved that candidate encounters can be both productive and illuminating when framed in a civil format. Unfortunately, real debate cannot truly occur unless all candidates recognize the importance of participation in the discussion. That is why it is disappointing for all members of the Dartmouth and New Hampshire communities that Texas Governor George W. Bush will not be in attendance at the town meeting tonight.
All other Presidential candidates have made the time in their schedules to discuss with each other and the voters the issues that face America today. It is time that Bush recognize that there are other candidates running for President. If he truly believes that his positions are worthy of the support they have received, he will be willing to engage his opponents in a discussion of those positions. It is a shame that he does not feel ready for such an engagement as of tonight.