Gore Questions Bush’s Qualifications

Vice President Al Gore refuses to say so outright, but he believes that Texas Gov. George W. Bush lacks the experience to serve as leader of the Free World. And with a recent boost from President Clinton, Gore and his supporters are trying to plant that seed of doubt among voters.

The vice president stepped up that effort during an interview with The Times, declaring:

“I think that a lot of people are asking that question: ‘Does he have the experience to be president?’ ”

Repeatedly, however, Gore insisted: “It’s not for me to answer that question.”

Today, in a major foreign policy address in Boston, Gore plans to further contrast his credentials with Bush’s while laying out new details of his global agenda and national defense strategy.

Gore Criticizes Bush’s Tax Proposal

In Gore’s view, his Republican rival’s skimpy executive experience--as a two-term governor--explains some of his policy proposals, foremost among them his plan to cut taxes by $1.3 trillion by 2010.

Noting that many political analysts have characterized the Texas governorship as perhaps the weakest, constitutionally speaking, of all the states, the vice president said in the interview:

“And so having never prepared a budget and then putting out a $2-trillion risky tax scheme that doesn’t add up invites the question: Does he have the experience to be president?”

(Gore arrives at the higher cost of Bush’s plan, which the governor roundly rejects, by calculating through fiscal year 2011 and adding interest costs that the government would face because the proposal devotes less of the budget surplus toward debt reduction.)

Clinton, at two Democratic Party fund-raisers this month, including one in Beverly Hills, described Gore as the most-qualified and best-prepared candidate to run for the White House in at least a generation--bar none. Happily, Gore supporters are recirculating that gushing presidential endorsement from coast to coast.

The vice president spoke about Bush and the rigors of this long campaign--”six months and eight days,” he noted after consulting his digital watch--during an interview Friday afternoon after delivering an education speech to 400 African American mayors.

Looking relaxed, he nursed a mug of coffee in a darkened and empty ballroom just off the bustling lobby of a convention hotel in Dallas, as aides and Secret Service agents lurked in the shadows.

Gore yawned several times as he talked about his efforts to connect with voters, such as occasionally spending a full day at a public school, after spending the night at the home of one of its teachers.

“One of the reasons I’m doing these school days . . . is to make the most constructive use of this time, in campaigning in different ways and using it consciously as the best learning experience that I can put together while at the same time focusing on the goal of winning an election,” said Gore, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

Trying to Put Long Drive ‘to Good Use’

He plans soon to spend similar days in other workplaces.

“I guess overall, sure, I wish that the process were much shorter. But I’m not complaining . . . far from it. I’ve been trying to put it to good use,” Gore said.

“Even though it’s hard, I have learned an enormous amount that I would not have learned in any other way.”

Gore said the campaign has also taught him some personal lessons.

“Some of the lessons I gave lip-service to in earlier years now loom as far more important lessons, things like getting enough exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep,” he said.

“If you believe in what you’re doing, and you’re fighting hard to get a message across--about how we can be a better country--then stamina becomes a valuable asset.”

“These are not new lessons for me. But the importance is certainly enhanced by the level of effort involved in this. . . . And I find that I do better in everything if I take good care of myself.”

Gore demonstrated his staying power and determination on Friday, which began in Philadelphia before 9 a.m. and did not end until more than 18 hours later here.

In between, Gore delivered his education address in Dallas, held private meetings, prepared for his Sunday speech and then flew to New Mexico.

Here he held a town hall meeting with several hundred voters at the Jackson Middle School, standing on his feet (in black cowboy boots) for more than four hours--a personal record.

Afterward, Gore went to the University of New Mexico arena to mingle with native Americans at their 17th annual Gathering of Nations Powwow. Even though it was after midnight, thousands of spectators were on hand and they cheered enthusiastically as Gore entered, sporting a bolo tie.

On Saturday, Gore campaigned in Kansas City, Mo., and then held another marathon town hall meeting before flying back to Washington.

“This is hard. This is intense,” but it’s still not as bad as the final days of the primary, Gore said. “It’ll get that way again.”

On other matters, Gore said in the interview that he is unperturbed by the avalanche of criticism he drew, including from congressional Democrats, because of his various statements on the Elian Gonzalez case.

“No, I’m going to do and say what I think is right,” Gore said.

The vice president responded in a similarly terse manner when asked about Bush’s charge that he will “say or do anything” to win votes.

“I don’t think people respond to personal attacks. I like to focus on the issues, not personal attacks. I leave that to him,” Gore said.

The vice president also dismissed polls showing that men in large numbers prefer Bush while he, Gore, enjoys an edge among women, saying: “There’s been a so-called gender gap between Democrats and Republicans for quite a few years. . . . It’s been there a long time, for both parties.”

Gore said he does not know Bush, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, personally at all.

The two have met “briefly--once or twice, I think. Maybe two or three times. But we’ve never exchanged more than three or four words.”