December 1, 1999
Web posted at: 12:52 p.m. EST (1752 GMT)

CONCORD, New Hampshire (NHPrimary.com) -- He likes "The Simpsons,’’ admits to signing up as an enlisted man during the Vietnam War to avoid one extra year of service, argued with his father about what leads to a cold and jokes about playing a role in the invention of urban sprawl.

That’s all in a campaign day’s work for the "new’’ Al Gore, as campaign and candidate continue to draw a bright line contrast between theobedient vice president he has been for the past seven years and a more fun-loving, spontaneous candidate he’s been on the stump for more than a month.

Gore had just got done speaking Tuesday about the escalating violence on television to a group of Concord High School students.

But when junior Scott McAllister asked Gore what he likes doing for fun, Gore admitted a secret love after giving the politically correct answers of painting, watching movies and playing sports with the families.

"I love ‘The Simpsons.’ I think that’s a great show. Every once in a while I get a little concerned when I see the ‘Itchy and Scratchy Show,’’’ Gore confided.

That’s a cartoon inside this cartoon that often comes complete with plenty of gratuitous violence and well, yes, fictional gore of the other kind, as one character pulls another one’s arm out of the socket with fake blood dripping onto the floor.

"I’m really kind of conflicted,’’ Gore deadpanned.

Hours later at the American Legion Jutras Post in Manchester, Gore corrected an overzealous supporter who praises Gore for having signed up as an enlisted man when his father, the late Sen. Al Gore Sr., could have easily gotten him an assignment as an officer.

"It was not that complicated. I was going to have to sign up for three years if I was an officer. I was more than happy to sign up for two years and out,’’ Gore said to howls of laughter from the supportive veterans.

A Vietnam veteran, Gore also got support to rebut a Newsweek magazine article this week that suggested he was assigned as a reporter and saw no combat duty because his late father pulled strings with Pentagon brass to keep him out of harm’s way.

Bob Dionne of Manchester is an independent voter who is torn between Gore and Arizona senator and Republican hopeful John McCain, but on this controversy he’s with both men.

"In-country it didn’t matter what your assignment was; you were in danger, period, end of story,’’ Dionne said.

"His father could have used just as much influence to keep his son out of the military in the first place. It doesn’t make any sense at all,’’ Dionne said.

John Zachodny of Allenstown agreed.

"Anywhere in Saigon, you could have been killed,’’ Nachody said.

To make the point that violence affects people differently, Gore asked students how many had nightmares when they were young after watching violent television shows or movies. Many said they had.

He said the few people nationwide who are so affected by entertainment violence that they go on to commit violent acts lack some "insulation’’ of self-esteem and warmth in their lives. He used a fight with his late father to make his point.

"I used to have an argument with my father about what causes a cold. He thought that if you went out in the bitter cold with just a T-shirt on you couldn’t catch cold,’’ Gore said.

"See, some of you don’t agree with that, and you’re wrong, too. If you don’t have insulation on in extreme weather, your body uses up so much energy just to keep warm that it compromises your immune system. I just wish my dad could hear this again now, but it wouldn’t change his mind.’’

Gore said students need to recognize how lucky they are growing up in a country with more freedoms and prosperity than any other.

"We are privileged to be citizens of our country. If that sounds corny to you, you should re-evaluate that attitude,’’ Gore said.

He said campaign finance reform and full public financing of federal elections would help reduce cynicism about politics, but it’s an attitude that is hard to change.

"I think it’s because people think you cannot make an individual difference. But you can,’’ Gore assured.

At the "Politics ’n’ Eggs’’ breakfast at the Bedford Village Inn, Kipp Cooper, a lobbyists with the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, charged the campaign against "urban sprawl’’ Gore has led has encouraged some towns to thwart responsible development.

"Urban sprawl. I played a small role in it, but I didn’t invent it,’’ Gore joked.

Media commentators hammered Gore who later admitted he mistakenly gave the impression that he had played a part in the invention of the Internet rather than in legislation that made it easier for the inventors to come up with the technological breakthroughs.

Michael Whouley, a longtime Gore aide and key adviser, said the candidate is doing what comes natural.

"You’ve all written that he’s more relaxed, I think that’s true,’’ Whouley said.

It also wouldn’t be a Gore campaign day if he didn’t slam Republican front-runner George W. Bush and all GOP candidates for backing what he called a "risky tax cut’’ that would blow a deficit hole in the federal budget, or the health care plan of rival and ex-N.J. Sen. Bill Bradley, which he claims was too expensive.

"Don’t go blowing all that surplus on a risky tax cut. Let’s save Social Security, let’s protect Medicare,’’ Gore told the breakfast group that was packed with Republican voters.

"What do we do from here? I will pledge to you if you elect me President, I will further reduce the national debt every single year of my presidency.’’

But Gore seemed more anxious to continue to show a different campaign style rather than a new look to any issues from the candidate.

Many voters, however, are still kicking the tires, like Concord High senior Burt Betchart, who just turned 18 in time to vote Feb. 1.

Betchart said media monopoly was behind an animated few moments he spent debating Gore in a friendly way after the high school forum.

"I’m concerned about the concentration of media in too few places. Mr. Gore doesn’t seem to think it was a problem. He thought the Internet would take care of it. I’m not so sure,’’ Betchart said.

"I’m still shopping around.’’

Wednesday, December 1, 1999

• Bush offers tax plan that would aid very rich and working poor
• Analysis: Bush tax plan would leave little room for new spending
• Clinton urges greater openness in trade talks
• McCain lays out international policy priorities
• NHPrimary.com: Gore calls challenge from Bradley a shot in the arm
• NHPrimary.com: Gore draws stark line between roles as vice president and candidate
• Clinton brother to sing in North Korea
• Seeking votes, Gore cites good economic times for black America
• Forbes ad takes on Bush over Social Security
• Ex-Democratic official admits making illegal donations to N.J. senator
• Mississippi governor's race could lead to changes in state Constitution
• Giuliani, from afar, defends homeless policies
• Bradley campaigns on the Internet
• Washington Monument to close for final stage of repairs
• Activists give Clinton administration an 'F' for HIV prevention

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