Election 2000

August 16, 2000

Both conventions behind us and now the presidential election is going to really heat up. I spoke last week to an event in Illinois -- talking about the food industry and the politics of the day.

In the process I asked the audience if the election were held today, who would they vote for? George W. Bush clearly was the favorite. But then I asked how many felt that there really wasn't much difference between the candidates. Maybe I shouldn't be, but I was surprised at how many people didn't think there is a noticeable policy difference.

Well, there is. What's your priority? Is it education? George W. Bush wants to make school vouchers available to kids in bad schools so they can escape to private schools. Al Gore says, "No!" He argues it will weaken public schools.

George W. Bush wants to allow the individuals to take a small portion of their Social Security money and invest it in a private account. It will be their money. If they die without using it, it will go to their children. Government Social Security won't do this.

George W. Bush wants to use the bipartisan Medicare plan led by Democrat John Breaux of Louisiana as the basis to reform Medicare. President Clinton and Al Gore rejected that bipartisan plan.

Both candidates are free traders although Vice President Gore would be more inclined to tie trade agreements to labor and environmental standards. In the end, I don't think there would be any significant differences in farm policy. On environmental issues, Al Gore would be decidedly more forceful, more inclined to extend more government regulations.

And finally, if it is a priority to increase tax relief -marriage penalty, death taxes, capital gains, don't look for Al Gore to help. I don't think Vice Presidential candidates have much influence on the election but for what it's worth, both Vice Presidential picks are men of experience and strong character.

So when you think about it in terms of policy, there really is a choice. For a lot of people that don't sort out the policy differences, they will probably just vote for the one they like.