Though I can understand Al Gore’s frustration at losing the 2000 presidential election by the narrowest of margins, I think it was very unfair and unprofessional of him to take his anger out on Bill Clinton and blame him for his defeat.
Though Gore blames the Monica Lewinsky scandal for his defeat, it is difficult to determine just how much this sex controversy really hurt Gore. Most of Clinton’s most vocal critics in this matter were Republican, and they would have voted for George W. Bush anyway.
I believe Ralph Nader’s Green Party presidential candidacy (which really hurt Gore in Florida), the forcible removal of Elian Gonzalez from his relatives in Florida by Janet Reno, and Al Gore’s failure to use Bill Clinton while campaigning in key states like Ohio, Florida and Arkansas, where he could have made a real impact, is what really cost Gore the election.
Instead of whining about losing the 2000 election, Al Gore’s time would be better spent planning for his 2004 presidential bid. He has a long way to go if he expects to win, as defeating an incumbent president will be even more difficult.
