Letters: Jan. 12, 1998

THE VICE PRESIDENT TAKES AIM AT 2000

Al Gore's sole problem is that he is not a celebrity [NATION, Dec. 15]. He may be the only hope for preventing a takeover by show-business politics. DONALD KUSPIT New York City

The Vice President's biggest weakness is not his inability to emulate the Clinton model of politicking but his adoption of its most unsavory aspects. Examples are his "no controlling legal authority" excuse to charges that he violated campaign laws and his denial that he knew the Buddhist temple affair was a political fund raiser. Gore has learned the wrong lessons from the Clinton presidency. But how can we expect him to keep his wits about him in an Administration whose motto seems to be "Everyone does it"? MICHAEL D. ALEX Glendora, Calif.

Mercy, me! Al Gore makes Dan Quayle look like the president of Mensa! NANCY NILSSON Rockville, Md.

Gore wouldn't get my vote. Hillary Clinton is the logical choice for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Her meeting with Tony Blair underscores her charisma and political savvy. And just a few years ago, she scared the health-care industry into lowering my premiums about 10%. I am a 65-year-old, lifelong Republican, but I will vote for Hillary if she heads the Democratic ticket--even if she is running against Elizabeth Dole, my first-choice Republican candidate. WILLIAM S. GAITHER Philadelphia

Gore's book Earth In The Balance is a bold, moral, intelligent and visionary work about environmental threat that should be read by every American. Perhaps if Gore became President, he would approximate the levels of morality and genius that were exemplified by Martin Luther King Jr. Why would we want a President who is more image than substance? Our Constitution was written by people of sound morals, reason and vision. This is the kind of leadership that we need today. JOHN SEEM La Crescent, Minn.

One incident says it all about Gore. The Senate was deadlocked, 50 to 50, on a crucial vote to cut off funding for logging roads in our national forests. And where was Gore when his vote was needed to break the tie? Off at a fund raiser, as usual. Is this the same Al Gore who has written a pro-environment book and is concerned about issues like global warming and conserving our natural resources? Gore is just another Clinton, spending too much of his time raising money. Perhaps that's good enough for a lot of people, but it isn't for me. VIDYA SHASTRI Kent, Wash.

The cover photo of Al Gore captures all the dignity of our next President. DENNIS A. KLEIN Vermillion, S.D.

Your question "What's missing?" suggested that something is lacking in Gore's qualifications. Yet your article never articulated any lack. What's missing? It doesn't seem like much is. MITCHELL ROSE Los Angeles

Walter Mondale and Hubert Humphrey failed to move up from Vice President to the No. 1 position in part because they seemed too eager for the job. Al Gore should start acting as if he doesn't care whether he becomes President. If he can do that, he'll convince the voters, and he'll win. MICHAEL ROSENBERG Chevy Chase, Md.

OUT-OF-CONTROL COPS