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Gore emphasized new economic goals for the nation that would work for everyone, not just a few. He proposed a detailed plan that would build on the current prosperity of the nation with policies designed to ensure those goals are met along with detailed budget outlines.

He made it quite clear throughout his speech to whom he was fighting the election for. “My cause is the hard-working, middle-class families. I’m running for President to fight for you. And it is for you and your families that I intend to win this election.”

Gore asserted that although the country is currently doing well and the progress of the economy is on the rise; he is still not satisfied. “I’m not satisfied when middle-class families have trouble finding time for their children. Or can’t afford college or child-care or job training. Every hard working family should be able to open the door to their dreams.”

A main issue of concern according to Gore was reducing the national debt. His goal is to reduce the debt year after year until it is completely eliminated by the year 2012. He proposes to accomplish this by under-spending the surplus.

“Our approach is common sense. Our national government should do what so many families have done for years – set aside some money for a rainy day, to be absolutely certain that we never spend money we don’t have.”

Gore proposes to take one out of every six dollars of the budget surplus and put it aside. It would not be used for new spending, tax cuts, promises or proposals. He asserts the new reserve fund would guarantee a need not to cut education or health care.

Gore criticized the opposition by saying, “The other side believes it’s OK to spend more money than the entire surplus, and hope the economy does better than anyone expects, so the numbers will somehow add up.”

Gore’s next area of concern addressed in his speech was middle-class tax cuts. “Let’s fight for and win targeted tax cuts for middle-class families, so that within two years, a typical family will have the lowest tax burden in half a century.”

Gore was specific when it came to who would benefit from the tax cuts. “But let me say it plainly: I will not go along with a huge tax cut for the wealthy at the expense of everyone else and wreck our good economy in the process,” he said.

The vice president denounced the op-position’s plan for a tax cut by saying, “Under the tax plan the other side has proposed, for every $10 that goes to the wealthiest one percent, middle-class families would get one dime. And lower-income families would get one penny. It gives the most to those that need it the least – and the least to those who need it the most. And that’s just wrong.”

Another major issue of concern Gore stressed was education.

“Learning is the key. And that means education must command more of our attention, more of our time, and more of our resources. So together, let’s open the doors of learning to all.”

Gore’s intended goal is that three-quarters of all high school graduates will go on to college, and half of Americans will earn their degrees. His proposition is to make most college tuition tax deductible, to help middle-class families save for college tax-free and inflation-free by having a national tuition savings program, and to keep interest rates low so student loans are more affordable.

Although Gore gave only a brief synopsis of his plan during his speech at Cleveland State, he made it clear that the full and detailed version of his plan is readily available via the Internet at ‘Algore.com’ or through his published book “Prosperity for America’s Families.”

The turnout to Gore’s campaign was a success, with a packed auditorium and many more trying to obtain tickets.

The audience was very receptive to the plans and proposals that Gore had made, showing this through standing ova-tions along with cheering and clapping throughout the speech.

Dr. Sue Ziegler, faculty athletic representative and sport psychologist at Cleveland State Uni-versity was one of the few faculty members admitted into the speech.

She said that she was most impressed with Al Gore, despite impressions from the media that he did not relate well to the audience. After viewing him live, she disagreed.

“I thought that he was calm, articulate and clear. He was very presidential with an uplifting mes-sage,” Ziegler said. “It was good to see that someone had written out a plan. How much he can achieve I don’t know,” she continued.

“He took the high road. He didn’t try to trash his opponent. He alluded to his opponent instead of attacking him while promoting his own approach.”

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