Go, Gore! That’s the word from the majority of readers who participated in our totally unofficial, all-for-the-fun-of-it presidential election. But this was no landslide. The Democratic vice president edged out his Republican rival, George W. Bush, with only 68 votes to spare. The final count was:
Gore 1479 – 51%
Bush 1411 – 49%
Gore
“He opposes expanding offshore oil drilling and supports the Kyoto agreement, which would cut global emissions and slow global warming. It’s about time somebody started worrying about THE ENVIRONMENT.” Alex S., 11, Kildeer // “He knows more about WORLD ISSUES.” Jana F., 15, Schiller Park // “He’s going to cut TAXES for the middle class and lower class.” Girardo C., 13, Chicago // “If you vote for George W. Bush, you would get mixed up with the GEORGE BUSH who was president before Clinton.” Donna I., 9 1/2, Buffalo Grove // “THE ECONOMY is doing better under the Democrats than the Republicans.” Erick S., 15, Franklin Park // “He seems more efficient when he talks, and I think I can TRUST him to be president.” Joey H., 13, Chicago // “He was VICE PRESIDENT for the last eight years, and they really did a lot to help people get off WELFARE and get JOBS.” Myisha M., 14, Joliet // “MY PARENTS choose Democratic.” Jimmy D., 15, Rosemont // “He wants stricter rules on GUN CONTROL and is for better HEALTH INSURANCE.” Jeremy W., 11, Deerfield // “I watched the TV DEBATES, and George Bush is very rude. He thinks he’s superior.” Patricia B., 15, Rosemont. // “George W. Bush is making A JOKE about everything, and if he became president, I wouldn’t want him to make a joke about decisions.” David K., 12, St. Charles // “MY FAMILY has been talking about them. MY MOM thinks he’s a nice man.” Claire B., 12, Oak Park // “George Bush has terrible EDUCATION STANDARDS. Al Gore eats a lot of CHEETOS.” Tim M., 15, Franklin Park // “I don’t really like either, but Al Gore seems a LITTLE BIT BETTER.” Addie C., 11 1/2, DeKalb // Al Gore will help SCHOOLS and give money to the POOR.” Deanna G., 8 1/2, Arlington Heights // “Even though Bush is concerned about the ‘YOUNG PEOPLE,’ Al Gore is concerned about us as well as the SENIOR CITIZENS.” Sarah S., 13, Chicago // “Gore stands up for THE PEOPLE, but Bush just talks about TEXAS.” Seema- N., 12, Naperville // “In THE DEBATES, Bush failed to get to an answer with a point. Will he sidetrack our country’s needs?” Nicole L., 12, Vernon Hills
Bush
“He has lots of EXPERIENCE from being Texas governor. As governor, he saw CRIME drop to a 20-year low after he had built the nation’s largest prison. Also, he says if he is president, ABORTION will not be permitted in the U.S. unless when the mother’s life is in danger.” Ann H., 9, Willowbrook // “He has a great plan for HEALTH CARE.” Megan B., 11, Rolling Meadows // “He will stop VIOLENCE and CRIME.” Elaine V., 12, Chicago // “MY PARENTS are voting for him.” Johnny J., 9, Park Ridge // “He is a KIND person and doesn’t LIE like Al Gore.” Arthur B., 10, Park Ridge // “HIS FATHER was president, and it would be interesting to see him be one too.” Tammy P., 9, Chicago // “I can trust Bush, plus, Al Gore was practically a product of BILLY BOY, and we don’t want another one of those.” Eric S., 12, Arlington Heights // “He would have THE GOVERNMENT leave people alone unless they want help.” Kaitlyn N., 8, Oak Lawn // “During THE DEBATES, Bush was very good at attacking the issues.” David H., 15, River Grove // “I believe in the beliefs of THE REPUBLICANS.” John B., 15, Schiller Park // “He may raise SCHOOL TESTING, but I think it is a good idea.” Trina S., 15, Franklin Park // “I heard from MY DAD that Gore got caught in a couple of LIES.” Meghan C., 15, Naperville // “I like his views on SPENDING smaller amounts of money in the government.” Jonathan B., 15, Franklin Park // “GORE is a BORE!” Caitlin T., 12, Naperville // “Bush is SELF-CONFIDENT.” Maria S., 13, Hanover Park Keep your fingers crossed, Al … cuz KidNews readers have a way of picking a winner. In the two other presidential elections that have taken place since KidNews began, our readers voted for the candidate who went on to nab the big prize: Bill Clinton in ’92 and again in ’96.
WRITE ON
Six readers voted for Ralph Nader as a write-in candidate. Here are two of the views:
“Bush and Gore are corporate-controlled products of the system.” – Justin S., 15, River Grove
“Nader promotes energy efficiency, making the logging of old trees illegal and universal health care.” – Patrick Y., 11, Willowbrook
BEST MAN FOR THE JOB, HUH?
There’s one thing we know for sure: Whoever wins today’s top spot will be male. What will it take for a woman to become president? Female leaders speak out on Page 3.
AND THE WINNER IS…
… KidNews reader Erik E., 13, of Hanover Park! No, he won’t be prez — but he did win a mini color TV in a random drawing of readers’ entries. Congrats, Erik!
