Campaign 2000: The Lover vs. The Fighter

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But the atmosphere in Texas is a lot different from that in Washington, where the Bush model of schmoozing with steaks at the mansion and unannounced visits to a member's legislative office will go only so far. Democrats in Texas are far more conservative than many of their Washington counterparts, and the capital's political terrain has hidden minefields that go back for decades. "The idea of charming the Democratic leadership is silly; the whole notion of a honeymoon period is quaint," says a former House Democratic staff member. "What the Democratic leadership learned in '95, '96 and '97 about how to be in the minority--forcing votes, making the majority show its hand, blocking when necessary--is impressive. And they're not going to forget those lessons, no matter who has the narrow majority next year." Bush might also run into problems from his own party, which has contributed just as much to the partisan atmosphere. Conservative Republicans have opted to keep their mouth shut during the election to help Bush win, but they won't hush up forever.

Last week concluded with both candidates moving from the serious stage of the debates to less staid platforms. Gore chatted with Rosie and Regis; Bush sat down with Letterman; and both of them pilloried themselves on Saturday Night Live and at a New York City gala. But the next handful of days will be short on yuks as the ground and air onslaught sharpens and the two candidates intensify their campaigning. "I tell you this," says Democratic consultant and Gore partisan Paul Begala, assessing the impact on voters: "No one will wake up Nov. 8 and not know what they were getting."

--With reporting by James Carney and Eric Pooley with Bush, Andrew Goldstein with Gore, and Karen Tumulty/Washington

Tune in to MTV for the program Choose or Lose 2000: Sex Laws, produced with TIME, in which our writers Tamala Edwards and John Cloud explore where the candidates stand on issues ranging from gay rights to abortion. The show will air Oct. 23 at 10:30 p.m. (E.T./P.T.), Oct. 24 at 8:30 p.m. and Oct. 26 at noon and 11:30 p.m.