Al Gore on Abortion

• US should not seek international right to abortion. (Jul 2007)
• Bush’s “strict constuctionism” is like slavery’s 3/5ths rule. (Nov 2000)
• Ban partial-birth abortions, except for maternal health. (Oct 2000)
• No litmus test; but appointees would uphold Roe v. Wade. (Oct 2000)
• Opposes partial birth abortion, but opposes banning it. (Sep 2000)
• Would support RU-486, if proven safe. (Sep 2000)
• Next president’s Supreme Court nominees will decide abortion. (Jun 2000)
• Two questions: Is abortion acceptable? Who should decide? (Mar 2000)
• Right to choice, regardless of economic circumstance. (Mar 2000)
• Personal struggle on abortion reflected in evolving view. (Feb 2000)
• Abortion question is for women, not government or president. (Jan 2000)
• Wrote in 1984 that “abortion is arguably taking a life”. (Jan 2000)
• Voted against Medicare-funded abortions; but now supports it. (Jan 2000)
• Always, always defend a woman’s right to choose. (Jun 1999)
• Abortions should be safe, legal, and rare. (Nov 1998)
• Supports Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances law. (Nov 1998)
• More family planning; less parental consent. (Nov 1998)

Al Gore on Budget & Economy

• Bush’s policies made $4 trillion in surpluses disappear. (Feb 2002)
• Prosperity itself is on the ballot; keep “new-economy”. (Oct 2000)
• Paying down debt reduces government intrusion. (Oct 2000)
• After 8 years of prosperity, “you ain’t seen nothing yet.”. (Oct 2000)
• Prosperity results from current policy plus entrepreneurship. (Oct 2000)
• Make hard choices to keep prosperity rolling. (Sep 2000)
• Helping middle-class is goal of economic plan. (Sep 2000)
• Lays out 10 goals in Prosperity for America’s Families plan. (Sep 2000)
• Safeguard prosperity to reduce poverty. (Sep 2000)
• Enable more families to save, own homes, and pay less tax. (Sep 2000)
• Encourage “Retirement Savings Plus” accounts. (Sep 2000)
• Confidence in markets & policy is basis for solid economy. (Apr 2000)
• Economic slowdown would prompt Reinvention push. (Dec 1999)
• Clinton-Gore budget concepts broke cycle of recession. (Dec 1999)
• Low interest rates are a key to strong economy. (Oct 1999)

  Budget Surplus

• Surest way to bust economy is Bush’s tax cuts. (Oct 2000)
• Set aside $300B as a “Surplus Reserve Fund”. (Sep 2000)
• $4.56 trillion spending plan for 10 years’ budget surplus. (Sep 2000)
• Set aside one-sixth of surplus in case rosy estimates fail. (Sep 2000)
• Free America from debt by paying down $3 trillion. (Sep 2000)
• Use surplus to strengthen Social Security, Medicare. (Sep 2000)
• Spend $164B surplus on Medicare, tax cuts, & debt. (Apr 2000)
• Pay off the national debt by 2013. (Apr 2000)
• Set aside 15-16% of budget surplus to fix Medicare. (Oct 1999)
• Balance or surplus except in crises. (May 1999)

Al Gore on Civil Rights

• Mass violations of civil liberties in the war on terror. (Nov 2003)
• Repeal the USA Patriot Act. (Nov 2003)
• Civil rights & Supreme Court are at stake in this election. (Oct 2000)
• Hate crimes stigmatize whole groups; enforce as civil rights. (Oct 2000)
• First civil rights act will ban racial profiling. (Oct 2000)
• Commitment to helping disabled reach their potential. (Jul 2000)
• Invest in independent living & enforce disabled rights. (Jul 2000)
• Latino values are America’s best values. (Jul 2000)
• Tipper & Al pushed for voluntary record lyric labeling. (Mar 2000)
• Confederate flag divides-remove it, but no boycott. (Jan 2000)
• Latinos considered for Supreme Court, but no pledge. (Jan 2000)
• Review disenfranchisement of felons but keep concept. (Jan 2000)
• End discrimination based on mental illnesses. (May 1999)
• Fund and enforce the Disabilities Act. (May 1999)

  Affirmative Action

• Affirmative Action: mend it, don’t end it. (Oct 2000)
• Affirmative action does not mean quotas. (Oct 2000)
• Gore emphasizes long-term commitment to NAACP. (Jul 2000)
• Close gender gap; equal pay for women. (May 2000)
• Investigate racial profiling at the federal level. (Mar 2000)
• Constitution evolved for women & blacks; & will evolve more. (Mar 2000)
• Keep affirmative action; reject numerical quotas. (Feb 2000)
• Ban racial profiling by Executive Order. (Jan 2000)
• Affirmative action still needed - continue the fight. (Dec 1999)
• Need more opportunities for women-owned businesses. (Jun 1999)

  Gay Rights

• All crimes are not hate crimes; only those aimed at groups. (Nov 2000)
• Find some way for civic union; but not gay marriage. (Oct 2000)
• Supports Vermont’s Civil Union law. (Sep 2000)
• Stop discrimination against same-sex domestic partnerships. (Mar 2000)
• Eliminate ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’; let gays serve in army. (Dec 1999)
• Supports same-sex partnerships; but not “marriage” title. (Oct 1999)
• Shift from group preferences to economic empowerment of all. (Aug 2000)

Al Gore on Corporations

• Bush supporters oppose regulations but like big contracts. (May 2007)
• Commerce wounds nature that can no longer heal itself. (May 2006)
• Corporations should match donations to faith-based orgs. (May 1999)

Al Gore on Crime

• National hate crimes law is needed, absolutely. (Oct 2000)
• 50,000 more police, to cut the crime rate for next 10 years. (Aug 2000)
• Invest in police and prosecutors to reduce crime. (Jul 2000)
• Constitutional amendment for victim’s rights. (May 2000)
• Intensify the battle against crime, drugs, and disorder. (May 2000)
• Get clean to get out; stay clean to stay out. (May 2000)
• “Lock box” to keep money in crime enforcement. (Apr 2000)
• Hate crimes are fundamentally different than other crimes. (Mar 2000)
• Recognizes disparities in sentencing blacks. (Jan 2000)
• Fight terrorism with leadership, tight control of technology. (Dec 1999)
• Supports “Broken Windows” law enforcement. (May 1999)
• Faith-based crime prevention via clergy outreach. (May 1999)
• Tough “Second-chance schools” for kids. (May 1999)

  Death Penalty

• Death penalty for deterrence, but carefully. (Oct 2000)
• Use DNA techniques to make death penalty more fair. (Sep 2000)
• Supports death penalty; no moratorium for new DNA techniques. (Feb 2000)
• Death penalty for murdering federal officers. (May 1999)

  Mandatory Sentencing

• Victims need protection and justice. (Jul 2000)
• Crime plan: More police; tougher penalties; victims’ rights. (May 2000)
• Three Strikes should apply only to truly violent crimes. (Feb 2000)

Al Gore on Drugs

• Clinton-Gore drug policy: spending up; drug use down. (Oct 2000)
• Science doesn’t say medical marijuana is proper. (May 2000)
• Mandatory weekly drug testing for state prisoners & parolees. (May 2000)
• Drug treatment programs for every addict who wants one. (May 2000)
• Lead a national crusade against drugs. (May 2000)
• Loosen restrictions on medical marijuana. (Mar 2000)
• Tougher drug policies; fight drugs in Colombia. (Mar 2000)
• Did pot when young, like young people do. (Jan 2000)
• Decrease disparities in punishing crack vs. powder cocaine. (Nov 1999)
• Drug efforts are beginning to pay off; we must do more. (Feb 1999)
• Community disconnectedness is a source of drug problems. (Feb 1999)
• Drug Control Strategy: More $, more enforcement, more TV ads. (Feb 1999)
• After-school programs prevent most drug use. (Mar 1998)

Al Gore on Education

• Bush voucher plan would result in a huge new federal program. (Oct 2000)
• Claimed $10,000 tuition tax cut worth $800 over current plan. (Oct 2000)
• Recruit teachers, improve classrooms, help failing schools. (Oct 2000)
• Make $10,000 of college tuition tax deductible annually. (Oct 2000)
• $176B over 10 years for pre-school, special ed, & more. (Oct 2000)
• Agrees with teacher unions on vouchers, salary, & class size. (Sep 2000)
• $170B on education over next 10 years. (Sep 2000)
• Voluntary school prayer is ok, if teachers aren’t involved. (Sep 2000)
• Large federal role in education, including tax deductions. (Sep 2000)
• Agrees with unions against vouchers; disagrees on testing. (Jun 2000)
• Encourage after-school with tax credits & funds for schools. (May 2000)
• Seeks transformation of educational system in 4 years. (Apr 2000)
• Stress early learning, small classes, & classroom technology. (Apr 2000)
• 5-point plan: High school exit exams; focus on character. (Apr 2000)
• Focus on discipline, character and safety in schools. (Apr 2000)
• Highlights of 10-year $115B education program. (Apr 2000)
• “Revolutionary plan”: 50% more for public schools. (Jan 2000)
• $5B/year for universal preschool for 3- & 4-year-olds. (Dec 1999)
• Hire 2M teachers over next 10 years. (Dec 1999)
• Make schools violence-free and drug-free. (Jun 1999)
• Connect every school to the Internet. (May 1999)

  Accountability

• Investment in public education; with testing & local control. (Oct 2000)
• Stress accountability; close the “achievement gap”. (Apr 2000)
• Supports Goals 2000 & standards-based movement. (Feb 2000)
• $10K “Teacher Corps” bonus; hire & test teachers. (May 1999)
• Test teachers; remove failing tenured teachers. (May 1999)
• End social promotion; turn around failing schools. (May 1999)

  College

• $36B for tuition after saving Medicare & Social Security. (Sep 2000)
• More resources for education: tax breaks for college. (Sep 2000)
• Make saving and borrowing for college easier. (Sep 2000)
• Make college tuition tax-deductible. (Aug 2000)
• Reduce class sizes; make college savings plans. (Jun 1999)
• National Tuition Savings program to send kids to college. (May 1999)
• More student loans & grants; make 2 years of college free. (May 1999)

  School Choice

• Bush’s vouchers are “educational roulette”. (Oct 2000)
• Bush proposes more for vouchers than for public schools. (Oct 2000)
• Overempasized restrictions of Bush’s education plan. (Oct 2000)
• Vouchers cause public schools to have 9:30 lunch & no desks. (Oct 2000)
• Spend resources rebuilding public schools. (Oct 2000)
• Yes, poor parents in failing schools might like vouchers. (Aug 2000)
• Invest in schools; don’t drain them via vouchers. (Aug 2000)
• Lieberman experiments with vouchers; Bush destroys with them. (Aug 2000)
• Parents in failing schools can’t wait: Shut down & re-open. (May 2000)
• For-profit schools OK within public system. (May 2000)
• Says Bush’s “choice” sends kids to bad public schools. (Apr 2000)
• Choice & competition only within public & charter schools. (Apr 2000)
• Give parents choice in choosing public schools. (Mar 2000)
• Increase public school aid by 50% instead of vouchers. (Jan 2000)
• No experimental vouchers. (Sep 1999)
• More choice, more local control, within public schools. (May 1999)
• Shut failing schools; then re-open & turn them around. (May 1999)
• Against vouchers; build up public schools instead. (Mar 1998)
• Offer every parent Charter Schools and public school choice. (Aug 2000)

Al Gore on Energy & Oil

• Immediate freeze now; then reduce CO2 emissions 90% by 2050. (Nov 2007)
• Ocean warming causes stronger hurricanes, like Katrina. (Feb 2007)
• Global warming causes more floods & also more droughts. (May 2006)
• Supported ethanol in 1970s & cellulosic ethanol now. (May 2006)
• Skeptics point to historical warming--but today is hotter. (May 2006)
• Arctic ice is melting & may disrupt global weather patterns. (May 2006)
• Current tech can reduce CO2 emissions to 1970 levels. (May 2006)
• Dealing with global warming inconvenient for rich & powerful. (May 2006)
• No drilling in ANWR & off coasts; protect pristine areas. (May 2000)
• Tax credits & business incentives for energy efficiency. (Oct 1999)
• Renewable energy instead of nuclear power. (Oct 2000)
• Drilling ANWR too high a price for a few months of oil. (Oct 2000)
• Tax incentives for development of renewable energy. (Oct 2000)
• Release oil from Strategic Petroleum Reserve. (Sep 2000)
• $150B Energy Security and Environment Trust Fund. (Sep 2000)
• Tax breaks for fuel efficiency will fuel prosperity. (Jun 2000)
• New energy technology will lead to more prosperity. (Jun 2000)
• Energy policy: focus on future tech & incentives. (Jun 2000)

  Global Warming

• We have the energy solution to solve the climate crisis. (Aug 2008)
• McCain has abandoned his support of pollution caps. (Aug 2008)
• Carbon exchange market can cap-and-trade CO2 like we did SO2. (May 2006)
• Consensus on global warming, but newspapers fabricate doubt. (May 2006)
• We solved ozone crisis; can solve CO2 crisis by same methods. (May 2006)
• An Inconvenient Truth: Gore’s movie about global warming. (Apr 2006)
• Global warming captured Gore’s interest as student. (Apr 2006)
• Press gives credit to discredited ideas in name of fairness. (Feb 2001)
• For Kyoto; for national parks; against drilling ANWR. (Nov 2000)
• UN report confirms global warming; Gore revives the issue. (Oct 2000)
• Carbon dioxide causes global warming and we should act. (Oct 2000)
• Global Warming is a clear & present threat; but preventable. (Apr 2000)
• Kyoto goals are an indispensable first step. (Apr 2000)
• Avoid “out of tune” unachievable CO2-reduction proposals. (Apr 1999)
• Global Marshall Plan: Five strategic goals. (Jul 1993)

  Mass Transit + Suburban Sprawl

• Public/private initiative to triple auto fuel efficiency. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)
• Supports tradable emissions permits for greenhouse gases. (Aug 2000)

Al Gore on Environment

• To let earth continue warming would be deeply immoral. (May 2006)
• Use market capitalism as ally of environmentalism. (May 2006)
• Humans can impact earth’s ecology; especially the atmosphere. (May 2006)
• Will protect Chicago from being as polluted as Houston. (Nov 2000)
• Ban oil and gas drilling off Florida coast. (Nov 2000)
• Texas is the smoggiest state with the smoggiest city in US. (Oct 2000)
• Continue & do more cleanup of Great Lakes. (Oct 2000)
• A clean environment and a healthy economy do not conflict. (Oct 2000)
• Incentives for technology; but no voluntary regulations. (Oct 2000)
• Invest in clean water, air, & land in “Environmental Decade”. (Aug 2000)
• Trust Fund for the Environment to foster protection & growth. (Jul 2000)
• Ozone protection is working; keep up diligence. (Apr 2000)
• Big Lie: good environment is bad economics. (Apr 2000)
• Strengthen CAA; polluters pay for air cleanup. (Apr 2000)
• Market-based goals for power plants’ air pollution. (Apr 2000)
• Environmental justice and economic revival go hand-in-hand. (Feb 2000)
• Work with business to solve environmental problems. (May 1999)
• If we do nothing else, save the rain forest. (Jul 1993)
• The US should lead the global environmental movement. (Jul 1993)
• Calculate environmental impact when measuring profit. (Jul 1993)
• Civilization and the earth are increasingly in conflict. (Jul 1993)

  Brownfields + Parks

• No logging in roadless forests; protect 40M acres. (Nov 2000)
• Pass bipartisan legislation to revitalize contaminated sites. (Jul 2000)
• Transform brownfields into parks with federal investment. (Jul 2000)
• Livability Agenda proposes $1 billion for parks. (May 1999)
• Supports “livability” agenda. (Apr 1999)
• Control clean air in National Parks. (Apr 1999)

  Mass Transit + Suburban Sprawl

• Replace sprawl with “smart growth”; $7.8B on Everglades. (Sep 2000)
• Major commitment to build high-speed Amtrak rail systems. (Sep 2000)
• Both gas & public transit should be affordable & available. (Jun 2000)
• Clean up and improve existing bus & rail systems. (Jun 2000)
• Gore proposes $2B to counter suburban sprawl. (Nov 1999)
• Mass transit to fight suburban sprawl. (May 1999)

Al Gore on Families & Children

• Teaching career focuses on family in America. (Jun 2001)
• Fiscal discipline helps single people as well as families. (Nov 2000)
• Faith and family are America’s biggest strengths. (Oct 2000)
• Abstinence Ed in the context of comprehensive Sex Ed. (Sep 2000)
• Hold entertainment industry accountable. (Sep 2000)
• Enable 7 of 10 families to own a home. (Sep 2000)
• Focus on “working families” via tax cuts & education. (Aug 2000)
• Tax cuts for families will help care for both young and old. (Jun 2000)
• Parental Responsibility Accounts: dads pay kids, not welfare. (Jun 2000)
• Employ “dead-broke dads”, crack down on “deadbeat dads.”. (Jun 2000)
• After-school care for 10 million kids. (May 2000)
• 50% After-School Tax Credit for kids 6 to 16. (May 2000)
• Solution is gun control, V-chips, and character education. (Apr 2000)
• Elian’s interests paramount over diplomatic interests. (Apr 2000)
• Tax credits for child care for working & at-home families. (Jan 2000)
• We need more self-restraint in the media. (Dec 1999)
• After-school programs prevent most drug use. (Jun 1999)
• Tobacco is greatest threat to kids’ health. (Jun 1999)
• Protect kids from Internet smut as part of “e-rate”. (Jun 1999)
• Pre-school available to every child in every community. (Jun 1999)
• Supports V-Chip and parental controls over TV & Internet. (May 1999)
• More restrictions on underage smoking. (May 1999)
• Enroll uninsured children in federal health programs. (May 1999)
• Supports Family and Medical Leave Act. (Nov 1998)
• Give parents tools to balance work and family. (Aug 2000)

Al Gore on Foreign Policy

• Bush’s division into good vs. evil is Christian heresy. (May 2007)
• New security agenda based on addressing global problems. (May 2007)
• Drought from global warming set stage for Darfur genocide. (May 2006)
• Bush sought to destroy foreign policy consensus. (May 2004)
• Damage done at Abu Ghraib was serious. (May 2004)
• Policy based on domination creates enemies. (May 2004)
• Our future depends on our moral authority to lead. (May 2004)
• Violation of the Geneva Conventions damaged freedom. (May 2004)
• Paired evils perpetrated in the name of America. (May 2004)
• Gore calls for resignation of Bush foreign policy team. (May 2004)
• Vietnam: Trade will improve human rights & help with MIAs. (Oct 2000)
• Chernomyrdin Commission produced results despite corruption. (Oct 2000)
• Supported force in Mideast, Balkans, Haiti, not Somalia. (Oct 2000)
• Rwandan genocide: no military, but more humanitarian aid. (Oct 2000)
• Haiti: Intervention gave them a chance at democracy. (Oct 2000)
• Cuba: Hard-liner on Castro; keep sanctions. (Oct 2000)
• North Korea: Continue exploring rapprochement. (Oct 2000)
• Russia: US’s abiding interest, but troubled by Putin. (Oct 2000)
• Russia’s transition is accomplishment, if over-optimistic. (Jun 2000)
• Africa: give the poorest countries a hand up. (Apr 2000)
• Chechnya: Keep aid that helps US; cut off aid that helps war. (Jan 2000)
• Mantle of leadership means responding to violence abroad. (Oct 1999)
• Supports New Security Agenda and Third-World debt relief. (Sep 2000)

  China

• To union: we disagree on China; but agree elsewhere. (May 2000)
• Do not reveal strategy and inflame China or Taiwan. (Mar 2000)
• Engage China, but demand respect for human rights. (Jan 2000)
• Diplomacy with both Taiwan and China. (Dec 1999)

  Internationalism

• Gore supports vigorous intervention abroad; Bush less so. (Oct 2000)
• The world is looking to US for leadership. (Oct 2000)
• The power of example is America’s greatest power. (Oct 2000)
• Nation-building: preferable to WWIII, and a stunning success. (Oct 2000)
• UN treaties are effective means for US to help Third World. (Aug 2000)
• New Security Agenda: keep old; build new; avoid isolation. (Apr 2000)
• Strong defense for world leader; tie defense to other issues. (Jan 2000)
• Intervention requires national interest, by our values. (Oct 1999)
• Pay UN dues, as leader of the world. (Oct 1999)
• Progressive Internationalism: globalize with US pre-eminence. (Aug 2000)

Al Gore on Free Trade

• Link trade to environment and labor. (Sep 2000)
• Fair trade: standards for child labor & environment. (Aug 2000)
• Agrees with unions on 90% of issues, but not on free trade. (Mar 2000)
• Open Europe & Japan to genetically-modified farm products. (Jan 2000)
• Use Fast Track to encourage new markets. (May 1999)
• Free and fair trade means economic growth and jobs. (May 1999)
• Protectionism only protects us from prosperity. (Nov 1998)

  China

• Push Congress aggressively on China/WTO. (Mar 2000)
• Supports permanent normal trade relations with China. (Dec 1999)
• Supports MFN for China. (May 1999)
• Speed up China’s access to WTO. (Nov 1998)

  NAFTA + WTO

• More Latin American trade, with labor & enviro protections. (Oct 2000)
• Debate with Perot was instrumental in passing NAFTA. (Mar 2000)
• WTO talks will continue, with labor & environment input. (Dec 1999)
• WTO requires Japan & Europe to deal with our trade issues. (Dec 1999)
• Open markets with safeguards for labor and environment. (Dec 1999)
• Build a rule-based global trading system. (Aug 2000)

Al Gore on Government Reform

• Money overshadows knowledge in our democracy. (Nov 2007)
• Money dominates campaigns because of cost of TV ads. (May 2007)
• Bush pursues policies in advance of the facts. (May 2007)
• Bush chronically abuses “signing statements”. (May 2007)
• Full & robust public financing of all federal elections. (May 2007)
• Regulatory style: smaller & smarter govt, but stronger regs. (Oct 2000)
• Promises weekly open meeting as President. (Oct 2000)
• I don’t ever want to see another era of big government. (Oct 2000)
• Spending increase? “Absolutely not”; balance every budget. (Oct 2000)
• Were you better off 8 years ago than you are now? (Oct 2000)
• Supreme Court should interpret Constitution. (Oct 2000)
• Decreased fed workforce by 300,000; won’t increase by 20,000. (Oct 2000)
• Use historic surplus to balance budget and help middle class. (Oct 2000)
• Puerto Rico: Back statehood if majority votes for it. (Sep 2000)
• Open meetings to stay in touch with every-day people. (Aug 2000)
• Supported “PAC participation in the political process”. (Mar 2000)
• Supreme Court nominees should interpret the Constitution. (Mar 2000)
• No controlling legal authority“ for White House calls. (Mar 1997)
• We distrust our government; but want it in emergencies. (Sep 1995)
• Performance-based pay for civil servants. (Jan 1999)

  Campaign Finance Reform

• McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform will be first bill. (Oct 2000)
• Ban soft money and provide free broadcast time. (Sep 2000)
• Campaign finance reform will be very first bill to Congress. (Aug 2000)
• $7B public campaign finance fund. (Apr 2000)
• Full disclosure for lobbyists, donations, & issue ads. (Mar 2000)
• Calls for soft-money ban; but won’t unilaterally disarm. (Mar 2000)
• Free TV and radio for candidates during campaigns. (Mar 2000)
• Has supported bills like McCain-Feingold for 20 years. (Oct 1999)

  Reinventing Government

• Pledges to add not one new federal position. (Oct 2000)
• Begin second phase of reinvention: shrink federal govt. (Oct 2000)
• In last 5 years, fed govt shrank; TX govt grew. (Oct 2000)
• Continue Reinvention: put everything federal on Internet. (Apr 2000)
• “Reinvention” caused some reform, but nothing fundamental. (Mar 2000)
• Continue “reinvention”, which has saved $137 billion. (May 1999)
• Decentralization builds faith in government. (Jan 1999)
• Customer Satisfaction Survey for feds. (Jan 1999)
• Common sense government: focus on results & customers. (Sep 1995)
• ReGo: downsize; streamline; restructure; & privatize. (Sep 1995)
• Voluntary public financing for all general elections. (Aug 2000)

Al Gore on Gun Control

• Focus on gun safety, not hunters & sportsmen. (Oct 2000)
• Restrict guns from wrong hands, not sportsmen & homeowners. (Oct 2000)
• Gun licensing by states, but no registration. (Oct 2000)
• No special lawsuit protection for gun makers. (Sep 2000)
• Mandatory background checks & child safety locks. (Aug 2000)
• Agrees with Bush on banning weapons; but wants registration. (Apr 2000)
• Nationally mandated, state-run system of photo licensing. (Apr 2000)
• Ban guns in churches; “lock box” for crime funding. (Apr 2000)
• Supported gun rights in 1970s, because his constituents did. (Mar 2000)
• Take on the NRA with presidential leadership. (Mar 2000)
• Tough gun laws & so much more, to stop child tragedies. (Mar 2000)
• Passed toughest gun control in 30 years; same for next 30. (Feb 2000)
• Zero tolerance for guns at school; raise age to 21. (Jan 2000)
• Maximize gun control within what’s politically possible. (Jan 2000)
• Counter gun lobby with ‘family lobby’ to shield kids. (Jun 1999)
• Voted against some gun limitations while in Congress. (Jun 1999)
• Supports background checks at gun shows, in tie-breaker. (May 1999)
• Supports Brady Law and ban on assault weapons. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
• Prevent unauthorized firearm use with "smart gun" technology. (Aug 2000)

Al Gore on Health Care

• 1992: Desire to head healthcare reform usurped by Hillary. (Jun 2007)
• Claim that drugmakers spend more on ads than R&D isn’t true. (Oct 2000)
• Physicians, not HMO should make medical decisions. (Oct 2000)
• Drug companies spend more on ads than on research. (Oct 2000)
• Opposes Medical Savings Accounts; they segment out the sick. (Oct 2000)
• Claims Bush puts Texas oil interests before healthy children. (Oct 2000)
• Claims of Bush’s choices & benefits are underestimated. (Oct 2000)
• Stronger penalties for HMOs who drop seniors. (Sep 2000)
• Foster competition in drug research; companies misspend R&D. (Aug 2000)
• Curb excess pharmaceutical profits made at consumer expense. (Jul 2000)
• $30B over 10 years to help families with elder care. (Jun 2000)
• Against assisted suicide; but leave it to the states. (May 2000)
• Get generic drugs to market quickly & cheaply. (Mar 2000)
• Let FDA regulate cigarettes; fight teenage smoking. (Mar 2000)
• Focus on prevention to limit costs. (May 1999)
• No discriminating based on genetic information. (Nov 1998)
• Remove stigma & treat mental illness like physical illness. (May 2000)

  Insurance coverage

• Step by step, fill in the gaps in health care. (Oct 2000)
• Wants some form of non-government universal health care. (Oct 2000)
• Cover 12 million uninsured at a 10-year cost of $157 billion. (Sep 2000)
• Move toward universal health coverage, step by step. (Aug 2000)
• All children should have health care by 2004. (Apr 2000)
• Expand Children’s Health Insurance Program for working poor. (Mar 2000)
• $146B over 10 years to insure 90% of adults & 100% of kids. (Oct 1999)

  Medicare + Medicaid

• Medicare Rx plan: you choose, Medicare pays. (Oct 2000)
• Put Medicare in lockbox so seniors can afford prescriptions. (Oct 2000)
• Protect Medicare’s funds with “lockbox”. (Sep 2000)
• Modernize Medicare with choice, efficiency, competition. (Sep 2000)
• Too many seniors have to choose between drugs and rent. (Sep 2000)
• Senior prescription drug benefit with $4,000 cap. (Sep 2000)
• Allow 55-65 year olds to buy into Medicare. (Sep 2000)
• Free preventive cancer screenings for Medicare beneficiaries. (Sep 2000)
• $253B for Medicare prescriptions & subsidized premiums. (Sep 2000)
• 1997 Medicare cuts went too far-put back $339B. (Aug 2000)
• Health Care Trust Fund to expand coverage. (Jun 2000)
• $300B over 15 years to keep Medicare solvent. (Mar 2000)

  Patient Rights

• Patient Rights: power to doctors; right of appeal. (Oct 2000)
• Supports Dingell-Norwell Patient Bill of Rights. (Oct 2000)
• Encourage competition, ensure choice, stop abuses. (Sep 2000)
• Private medical information should not be bought and sold. (Sep 2000)
• Enforce HMO coverage of women’s cancer treatment. (Sep 2000)
• Patients have right to more access, protection, recourse. (Jul 2000)
• 25% tax credit for health insurance; HMO appeals. (Mar 2000)
• Patient rights: emergency coverage & performance disclosure. (Jan 2000)
• Patients and doctors should decide who gets what care. (Oct 1999)
• Establish "report cards" on HMO quality of care. (Aug 2000)

Al Gore on Homeland Security

• Our government condones torture for first time in history. (May 2007)
• Mass eavesdropping threatens integrity of Bill of Rights. (May 2007)
• Real danger to WTC is not terrorism, but rising sea levels. (May 2006)
• FBI targeted MLK with secret illegal wiretaps. (Jan 2006)
• Bush is ignoring laws against domestic wiretapping. (Jan 2006)
• Bush is breaking the law and threatens our rule of law. (Jan 2006)
• Bush considers congressional authorization a useless bother. (Jan 2006)
• Bush has no right to imprison unaccused US citizens. (Jan 2006)
• Bush allows torturing prisoners in breach of int’l law. (Jan 2006)
• Congress is complicit in not overseeing Bush. (Jan 2006)
• Calls for special counsel to investigate Bush lawbreaking. (Jan 2006)
• We should focus on bin Laden, not Iraq. (Jul 2004)
• Troops are stretched thin and exhausted. (May 2004)
• The best technology makes U.S. military the best. (Oct 2000)
• Help with landmine removal; ban them in 2006 but not now. (Sep 2000)
• Keep America strong for challenges of newly free world. (Aug 2000)
• Build-down military to smaller but more effective. (May 2000)
• Prepare for challenges of the information-age battefield. (May 2000)
• Use military as last resort, only when effective & shared. (May 2000)
• From day one: Transform to 21st century military strategy. (May 2000)
• Forward Engagement: address problems before crises arise. (Apr 2000)
• Sensible increases in defense spending. (Feb 2000)
• Nation-building is part of world leadership. (Oct 2000)

  Military Personnel

• US military is best in history of the world. (Oct 2000)
• Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is unfair & hasn’t worked. (Sep 2000)
• No soldier should have to rely on food stamps. (Aug 2000)
• Personnel: better pay; housing; family services; healthcare. (May 2000)
• $1.2 billion in new education money for veterans. (May 2000)
• Appointees must ENFORCE allowing gays; not AGREE with policy. (Jan 2000)

  Missile Defense

• Full-scale “Star Wars” is unrealistic & too expensive. (Jul 2000)
• Nuclear unilateralism will hinder arms control. (May 2000)
• Build less powerful SDI; to keep ABM treaty & START III. (May 2000)
• Focus SDI on rogue states. (May 2000)
• Test Ban Treaty is the tide of history; ratify it. (Oct 1999)

Al Gore on Immigration

• English is our language, but “English-Only” divides us. (Nov 2000)
• Citizenship for 1.2M cleared backlog, but sacrificed quality. (Aug 2000)
• More immigrants to alleviate labor shortage. (Mar 2000)
• Immigrants from communist Cuba are different. (Jan 2000)
• Immigration leads to diversity and cultural tolerance. (Apr 1999)

Al Gore on Jobs

• $2.3B in tax credits for worker training. (Jun 2000)

  Farm Policy

• Farmers are the first environmentalists. (Oct 2000)
• Safety net for farmers & focused rural development. (Oct 2000)
• Kill Freedom to Farm Act: keep price supports. (Sep 2000)
• Preserve free-flows, pristine peaks, & salmon fisheries. (Jun 2000)
• No timber sales in national forest roadless areas. Period. (May 2000)
• Base farm policy, like hormones in livestock, on science. (Jan 2000)
• Limit logging in National Forests but protect way of life. (Jan 2000)
• Supports ethanol subsidies & “farm safety net”. (Nov 1999)
• Triple use of biomass, ethanol, plant-based textiles, etc. (Nov 1999)

  Labor

• Reduce poverty to 10% via welfare reform & minimum wage. (Sep 2000)
• Support equal pay for equal work. (Sep 2000)
• Promises labor prosperity, repeal of striker replacement law. (Jul 2000)
• To union: we disagree on China; but agree elsewhere. (May 2000)
• Supports Coal Miner and Widows Health Protection Act. (May 2000)
• Add $1 to minimum wage; add earned-income credits. (Aug 1999)
• Injuries can be reduced by workers self-identifying hazards. (May 1999)

Al Gore on Principles & Values

• A different kind of campaign: make climate change #1 issue. (Nov 2007)
• Friendly with Hillary in 1992; until healthcare taskforce. (Oct 2007)
• Gore’s influence inevitably diminished due to co-presidency. (Oct 2007)
• 2000: no Bill Clinton campaigning to dissociate from scandal. (Oct 2007)
• Written agreement with Bill Clinton assigning V.P. duties. (Oct 2007)
• Shared power with Hillary but had bad relationship. (Jun 2007)
• Son’s serious accident spurred interest in environment. (May 2006)
• Every vote counts, and every election matters. (Jul 2004)
• Religious persecution of the Iraqis is a terrible irony. (May 2004)
• We face great challenge in restoring moral authority. (May 2004)
• Abuse of power must be avoided. (May 2004)
• Bush owes the American people an apology. (May 2004)
• Take your souls to the polls. (Nov 2000)
• Bush’s record indicates he’s not ready to lead America. (Nov 2000)
• Presidency not about popularity nor getting along. (Nov 2000)
• I have kept the faith, with family & in office. (Oct 2000)
• His experience in Vietnam & Congress qualifies him to lead. (Oct 2000)
• Campaign finance reform will help end cynicism in politics. (Oct 2000)
• Promises to get the big things right; sorry for exaggerating. (Oct 2000)
• Judge me on my experience and platform. (Oct 2000)
• Gore’s favorite things: Wheaties, Beatles, & kissing Tipper. (Sep 2000)
• Make history with fewer than 1 in 10 living in poverty. (Sep 2000)
• Agrees to further debates if Bush agrees to 3 main debates. (Sep 2000)
• Focus on “specifics” questions Bush & favors wonkishness. (Aug 2000)
• Populist tone to commitment to fight for the people. (Aug 2000)
• Running on his agenda of last quarter century. (Aug 2000)
• Challenges Bush to debate issues instead of personal attacks. (Aug 2000)
• Criticism with defense of Clinton served the public interest. (Jan 2000)
• Policies, not labels, define me. (Jan 2000)
• Working to improve things overcomes disillusionment. (Oct 1999)
• Practical Idealism: centrist on most issues. (Jul 1999)
• America’s mission: prove that freedom & diversity work. (Apr 1999)

  2008 Comeback

• On 2008: “Been there, done that; not pursuing it”. (May 2006)
• On 2008: can bide his time & raise Internet money later. (May 2006)
• Parallels to Nixon’s comeback from 1960 vs. 1968. (Apr 2006)
• Documentary reintroduces more likable Gore to public. (Apr 2006)
• Endorses Dean for President. (Dec 2003)
• I intend to rejoin the national debate; 2004 options open. (Feb 2002)
• Laying groundwork for possible comeback. (Jun 2001)

  Campaign Themes

• Thanks for allowing Clinton and me to bring change. (Nov 2000)
• Top Ten rejected campaign slogans. (Sep 2000)
• Stand for the people and against special interests. (Jul 2000)
• Whose side are you on? The people’s or the powerful? (Jul 2000)
• Earth in the Balance is a call to action and hope. (Apr 2000)
• In Congress, called himself a “raging moderate”. (Mar 2000)
• Domestic priorities: schools, health, enviro, & Reinvention. (Dec 1999)
• “Stay and fight!” invokes passion, loyalty, and purpose. (Oct 1999)
• Four core principles of Reinventing Government. (Jun 1999)

  Florida Recount

• Disagrees with Supreme Court, but accepts its finality. (Dec 2000)
• Concedes to Bush; now it’s time for reconciliation. (Dec 2000)
• Gore will never stop fighting for the people. (Dec 2000)
• Counting all votes removes cloud from presidency. (Nov 2000)
• Again offers statewide recount; Bush again rejects it. (Nov 2000)
• Still have not had a full & accurate count. (Nov 2000)
• Don’t set aside votes just because it’s hard to count. (Nov 2000)
• Offer to Bush: Hand count, then meet to show unity. (Nov 2000)
• The presidency should not be decided by technical details. (Nov 2000)
• Resolve election according to Constitution, not in haste. (Nov 2000)
• Gore retracts concession because Florida too close to call. (Nov 2000)
• The small margin in Florida triggers an automatic recount. (Nov 2000)

  Religion

• The purpose of life is to glorify God. (Oct 2000)
• Abstinence Ed in the context of comprehensive Sex Ed. (Sep 2000)
• Voluntary school prayer is ok, if teachers aren’t involved. (Sep 2000)
• Lieberman’s morality & Jewishness makes him a bold pick. (Aug 2000)
• Born-again Baptist; serves God & obeys God’s will. (Mar 2000)
• Respect Constitution and others when affirming faith. (Jan 2000)
• Faith-based organizations replace govt programs. (May 1999)
• Supports Hyde Park Declaration of "Third Way" centrism. (Aug 2000)
• Member of Democratic Leadership Council. (Nov 2007)

Al Gore on Social Security

• Bush’s “federal program” flub indicates ingrained hostility. (Nov 2000)
• Bush didn’t know Soc.Sec.is federal; don’t trust him with it. (Nov 2000)
• Won’t break Social Security promises to seniors. (Nov 2000)
• Will Bush cut benefits or raise the retirement age? (Oct 2000)
• Claim that Social Security will go bankrupt is misleading. (Oct 2000)
• Bush’s “Social Security Minus” diverts $1 from every $6. (Oct 2000)
• Paying off national debt keeps trust fund solvent until 2054. (Sep 2000)
• Dedicate the budget surplus first to saving Social Security. (Aug 2000)
• Open questions: future surplus & future discipline. (Jul 2000)
• Social Security Plus: voluntary tax-free private investment. (Jun 2000)
• Protect Social Security from privacy & ID theft. (Jun 2000)
• Use stock market for private investment, not Social Security. (May 2000)
• Debt reduction and interest saved will save social security. (May 2000)
• Keep the ‘security’ in Social Security. (May 2000)
• Ensure health care & retirement security for aging veterans. (May 2000)
• Privatization is “stock market roulette”. (Apr 2000)
• Eliminate the motherhood penalty. (Apr 2000)
• Strengthen benefits for widows. (Apr 2000)
• Streamline disability and advocacy processes. (Jun 1999)
• Opposed cutting Medicare; commit more funds instead. (Jun 1999)
• Protect retirement plans while times are good. (May 1999)
• Create Retirement Savings Accounts. (Aug 2000)

Al Gore on Tax Reform

• $500B to people earning under $100K; via 30 targeted cuts. (Oct 2000)
• Federal matching funds for poor and middle class savings. (Oct 2000)
• Except for wealthiest, exempt people from estate tax. (Oct 2000)
• Claim that every family is eligible for tax cut is unlikely. (Oct 2000)
• Cut taxes for 99% of middle class, not the wealthiest 1%. (Oct 2000)
• Target surplus at national debt, rainy days, & education. (Sep 2000)
• End marriage penalty; reform estate tax; targeted cuts. (Sep 2000)
• Lower taxes for working families with targeted tax reform. (Sep 2000)
• Tax cuts to benefit middle-class, not just the rich. (Aug 2000)
• Don’t eliminate gas tax; ask oil interests to charge less. (Jul 2000)
• Eliminate the marriage penalty for working families. (Jun 2000)
• $500B in tax cuts targeted to working families. (Jun 2000)
• Help caregivers with tax reform, nursing home alternatives. (Jun 2000)
• $250B over 10 years in targeted tax cuts. (Feb 2000)
• Save Social Security, Medicare, and address debt before cuts. (Feb 2000)
• Rules out tax increase in good economic times. (Dec 1999)
• Eliminate estate taxes for the little guy, not the wealthy. (Jun 2000)

  Critique of Bush tax plan

• Bush’s tax plan is class warfare on behalf of billionaires. (Nov 2000)
• Impossibly large tax cut will yield big debt and recession. (Oct 2000)
• We both target our tax cuts: Bush targets the rich. (Oct 2000)
• Comparison of wealthy tax cut to middle class exaggerated. (Oct 2000)
• Single wealthy person’s tax cut equal to roomful of people. (Oct 2000)
• Claim that Bush benefits “top 1%” only true with estate tax. (Oct 2000)
• Yes, it’s your money-but it’s your programs too. (Aug 2000)
• Too large a tax cut would wreck economy & military readiness. (Aug 2000)
• Bush’s tax cut gives average family only 62 cents. (Aug 2000)
• Bush’s tax plan is “economic snake oil”. (Mar 2000)
• $792B tax cut is a “risky tax scheme”. (Aug 1999)

Al Gore on War & Peace

• Bush engaged in mass deception of the US public about Iraq. (May 2007)
• Renounce policy of holding US citizens as enemy combatants. (Nov 2003)

  Balkans

• Maintain presence in Balkans; Bush would destabilize NATO. (Oct 2000)
• Military’s role is nation building in Balkans and elsewhere. (Oct 2000)
• Genocide is a strategic interest & warrants intervention. (Oct 2000)
• Bosnia: Be proud that we stopped ethnic cleansing. (Oct 2000)
• Russians won’t ask Milosevic to step down. (Oct 2000)
• Will decide about Milosevic based on 24 years of experience. (Oct 2000)
• US must support Serbia in kicking out Milosevic. (Oct 2000)
• Supported early action in Bosnia; no “Vietnam syndrome”. (Mar 2000)
• Serbs committing crimes against humanity. (May 1999)
• Ethnic cleansing means mass murder and we will stop it. (Apr 1999)
• Moral interests apply to all; NATO can act on it here. (Apr 1999)
• Ignoring Milosevic destabilizes Europe & world justice. (Apr 1999)
• Moral interests dictate that we fight Milosevic’s evil. (Apr 1999)
• Bomb until Serb forces withdraw & refugees return. (Apr 1999)

  Mideast

• Palestine: Arafat should restrain protest violence. (Oct 2000)
• Iraq: Support opposition to overthrow Saddam. (Oct 2000)
• US bonds with Israel endure; we should broker. (Oct 2000)
• Don’t let OPEC take advantage of Americans. (Sep 2000)
• Israel: support full UN participation. (May 2000)
• Iraq: support Saddam’s opposition, until he’s gone. (May 2000)
• Committed to the survival & security of Israel. (Mar 2000)
• Supported Gulf War; costs of war less than alternative. (Mar 2000)
• New technologies will reduce dependence on foreign oil. (Mar 2000)
• Supported continuing 1998 air strikes in Iraq. (Dec 1998)
• Supported Bush’s 1991 bombing of Iraq. (Dec 1998)

Al Gore on Welfare & Poverty

• Housing: Keep interest rates low; foster more savings. (Oct 2000)
• Invest to increase median family income by one-third by 2010. (Sep 2000)
• $200B to encourage more savings by low-income workers. (Jun 2000)
• Second generation of welfare reform: focus on fatherhood. (Jun 2000)
• Build 180,000 low-income homes; subsidize 120,000 more. (Apr 2000)
• Investing in inner cities is good deed & good business. (Apr 2000)
• 7M people off welfare: reform has worked. (Jan 2000)
• Reduce child poverty via tax credits & minimum wage. (Jan 2000)
• Invest in urban redevelopment and “Empowerment Zones”. (May 1999)

  Faith-based organizations

• Strengthen voluntary charity as well as federal welfare. (Sep 2000)
• Supports volunteerism thru faith-based organizations. (May 1999)
• “Charitable Choice:” Fed funds for church-based welfare. (May 1999)
• Faith-based organizations replace govt programs. (May 1999)
• Finish welfare reform by moving able recipients into jobs. (Aug 2000)