Presidential Campaign Turns to Middle East Crisis

Strategic Insights -

The Middle East crisis has become a focal point in the presidential campaign, with Vice President Al Gore and Gov. George W. Bush delivering contrasting messages on the issue. While both candidates expressed hope for peace and prayers for those affected by the violence, their aides engaged in a heated exchange over charges that the Bush campaign was exploiting the crisis for political gain. As the candidates prepared for Tuesday's debate, Mr. Gore delivered a spirited speech in Michigan, accusing Mr. Bush of using "fuzzy math" to justify his policies on tax cuts, Social Security, and health care.

Key Takeaways:

  • The presidential campaign has turned towards the Middle East crisis, with Vice President Al Gore and Gov. George W. Bush delivering contrasting messages on the issue.
  • The Bush campaign has been accused of exploiting the crisis for political gain, with Mr. Gore's spokesman, Chris Lehane, saying that the Republicans were "injecting campaign rhetoric and presidential politics" into the crisis.
  • Mr. Gore delivered a spirited speech in Michigan, accusing Mr. Bush of using "fuzzy math" to justify his policies on tax cuts, Social Security, and health care.
  • A new poll shows Mr. Bush gaining on Mr. Gore in Michigan, with the lead within the margin of sampling error of four percentage points.
  • The poll, taken by EPIC/MRA, a Lansing firm, showed Mr. Gore with a lead of 45% to 42% over Mr. Bush.
  • Mr. Gore accused Mr. Bush of failing to explain how he would pay for his proposal to allow workers to invest part of their Social Security deductions in the stock market, which would cost an estimated $1 trillion.
  • The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation study found that monthly enrollments in Medicaid have declined in Texas by 7.6% between June 1997 and December 1999, while enrollment nationwide increased by 2.3% during that period.

Statistics:

  • A new poll by EPIC/MRA shows Mr. Bush gaining on Mr. Gore in Michigan, with the lead within the margin of sampling error of four percentage points.
  • The poll gave Mr. Gore a lead of 45% to 42% over Mr. Bush.
  • Monthly enrollments in Medicaid have declined in Texas by 7.6% between June 1997 and December 1999.
  • Enrollment in the country as a whole increased by 2.3% during that period.
  • Mr. Bush's proposal to allow workers to invest part of their Social Security deductions in the stock market would cost an estimated $1 trillion.

Sources:

  • "Bush and Gore on Crisis, State Poll: A Flurry of Activity on Iraq's Crisis and the Campaign Trail" by The New York Times (no date)
  • "EPIC/MRA poll" by Lansing firm (no date)
  • "Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation study" (no date)
  • "Bush, Gore clash on policy, politicians" by The Dallas Morning News (no date)