Sunday, Jul 20, 2008
Al Gore hypes his college funding plans before a university audience, and -- surprise! -- they love it.
Aug 25, 2000 | His campaign staff was only expecting 500 students, but Al Gore drew a multigenerational, multihued crowd of over 1,000 to a rally Thursday at the University of Maryland. Professors, union members and parents with children in tow sat hip to hip with scores of T-shirted coeds in an outdoor amphitheater, all to hear the newly nominated, reenergized Democratic candidate.
Though much has been made of the need to involve young people politically, there was little evidence of slacker indifference or ignorance at this gathering. "From what I've studied of Keynesian economics, I think Gore's policies are better [than Bush's]," said Evan Coren, who's studying government, politics and history at the university. "During times of surplus, you're supposed to pay down the debt. George Bush doesn't plan to do that and Gore does."
"I'm here as a student of democracy," said one non-voting Gore lover, Rohit Tripathi, a student from India. Like Coren, Tripathi was skeptical about Bush's economic plans. "I don't think that Bush has worked out his numbers. Plus the Clinton administration has done so much with foreign policy. I want to see that progress continue."
It wasn't only Gen Xers who arrived already in Gore's corner. So did many baby boomers. "I'm here because I am a Gore supporter," said Jordan Goodman, professor of physics, who then bashed the Green Party candidate, Ralph Nader. "Here we have Nader, who's running a campaign against an environmentalist like Gore, which could potentially help Bush get elected," Goodman said, dismissing the arguments of protest voters. "I'd rather save the environment than make a point."
Nothing could spoil the supportive environment surrounding the event, not even a long, teasing delay. Just a short time after the event was scheduled to start, the podium speakers began to pump out house music, and the two dozen students seated on stage clapped in time to "100 Percent Pure Love." The crowd leapt to its feet, sure that the vice president would soon follow. Some lifted the "Gore/Lieberman" signs that the campaign had helpfully provided, others drew their cameras from back pockets and purses, waiting for Gore to appear. And waiting, and waiting, and waiting ...
Fifteen minutes later, when Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening and two college students ascended the stage to introduce Gore, the audience was still on its feet, if a little weary. But the electricity was back up when the vice president finally arrived. He mounted the podium to the sound of thunderous applause and the wild flapping of campaign signs. Shortly after Gore settled into his speech, audience members retook their seats, and listened in near silence.
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