'We're Not Measuring the Drapes

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A. The deeper crisis in the country is a crisis of meaning. Many people feel that their lives no longer have a sense of purpose. And part of the reason for that is this culture of distraction that we have which constantly falls in 15- and 30-second bursts of commercial activity toward this, that, or the other extraneous matter. Many people come home at night and just flip on the television, and that's it. The discussion of all these side issues in the campaign, about the draft, for example, represent the same phenomenon. And a lot of people are, in a way, relieved to be pulled into something of that kind because it seems easier than thinking about how we're doing to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and how we're going to reduce the budget deficit, how we're going to put people back to work, how we're going to solve the crime problem, how we're going to give people access to affordable health care, how we're going to improve our schools.

But we're at a turning point in the history of civilization. What has changed the terms of debate in this election is that people have begun to realize how painful and unsustainable the current way of doing things is. We can't borrow a billion dollars every 24 hours. We can't tolerate 40 million working Americans with no health insurance whatsoever. We can't tolerate a 29% dropout rate, an epidemic of violence and drugs and AIDS. We have to respond to these realities, and people are now willing to consider the changes that our nation must go through.

Q. Why should it matter to voters whether they elect you or Dan Quayle as Vice President?

A. Number one, there have been many, many times in our nation's history when the Vice President has suddenly been thrust into the presidency owing to an unanticipated death or tragedy. Secondly, Bill Clinton and I have a shared understanding of what the words partnership and teamwork are all about.

Q. What do you say to people who say, "We wish Al Gore were at the top of the ticket"?

A. This ticket is the way it should be. Bill Clinton is the best-prepared candidate for President I've ever seen, and he has earned the right to be exactly where he is. I have never had a single second thought about not running for President myself this time around. I made that decision for the right reasons. I am not only comfortable with it, I am extremely happy about it.

Q. Is there anything good you can say about Dan Quayle?

A. He's raised some great kids. They seem to be really wonderful kids.