Gore Urges Rejection of Attacks on Affirmative Action
Vice President Al Gore urged Americans to reject ballot initiatives that chip away at affirmative action and to examine the attitudes that make such efforts popular. He said Friday that he would “fight for fundamental fairness” as president.
Speaking to a convention of minority journalists, the vice president decried I-200, a Washington state initiative that wiped out affirmative action programs in public education, employment and contracting.
“Some will try to convince you that we need to go back to the broken policies of the past,” Gore said. “I never, ever want to go back. . . . I will lead the fight for fundamental fairness.”
Gore was the fourth presidential candidate to appear at the Unity ’99 convention, which ends Sunday. Democrat Bill Bradley, the former senator from New Jersey; and Republicans Gov. George W. Bush of Texas and Sen. John McCain of Arizona visited the convention earlier.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
