the choice 2000
hometools for choiceare you sure?bushgore

the diary of the undecided voter: joseph jordan
photo of joseph jordan

watch his video profile (realplayer g2)

dispatches
·Voting for Gore (11.7.2000)

·Down the Stretch: Vote Gore, but Not For Sure (10.31.2000)

·After The Final Debate: Leaning Gore. Four More Years Vs. Taking A Chance (10.18.2000)

·After the Second Debate (10.13.00)

·After the First Debate: What Neither Candidate Cared to Mention (10.5.2000)

·Introduction (10.2.00)


background
Joseph is 30 years old and is a vice president of marketing at an architecture and design firm. He is single.

voting history
Though eligible to vote since 1988, this will be the first election in which he plans to vote.

key concerns
community, diversity, taxes

key concerns
He played football at Cornell University and tried out for the New York Giants.


join our voter forum
After the Second Debate
October 13, 2000

After watching last night's debate/discussion/auditions, a friend of mine replied, "I guess we should just vote for the best Vice President." Her suggestion was that neither Gore nor Bush was worthy of a vote and therefore we should just focus on the Vice Presidential race.

I think that both candidates made an attempt to address some of the issues that were absent from the last debate - racial profiling at least. Gore's desire to pass the civil rights bill is admirable. Bush's desire to create more beds for future inmates is scary.

Does Bush have the false notion that all Americans are running the race from the same starting line, with the same training, the same equipment, the same coaching and fan support? If I were white and middle to upper class with young adult or older offspring, perhaps I would hear Bush more clearly. But, because my background puts me no where near any of that, I am forced to see more immediate realism in what he said.

Here's what I got from Bush: He said the rich will get the largest tax break because they are responsible for the country's prosperity. The full extent of the law will be applied to all criminals, regardless. People should be allowed to buy and carry guns with few stipulations in the current laws surrounding acquisition. The lack of family structure is the reason behind the rise in situations like Columbine. If you own the land everyday is Earth day. Obviously there was more explained than these few lines, but the points are the same.

Gore basically said that programs are essential to make local and state authorities do what's in the best interest of all their constituents. Those persons with the most money should pay the most taxes. One of the reasons criminals and some children kill people with guns is because guns are easily available. Programs need to be implemented to fill the gaps that working families cannot. New fuel technologies can be developed to combat future gas shortages. Again, there was much more to it than these few lines, but this was my gist.

I have to give Bush a last bit of credit. I am CLEAR that the death penalty will never be abolished [under his presidency].

I am about a 2 on the scale toward Gore.

previous dispatches
·Voting for Gore (11.7.2000)
·Down the Stretch: Vote Gore, but Not For Sure (10.31.2000)
·After The Final Debate: Leaning Gore. Four More Years Vs. Taking A Chance (10.18.2000)
·After the Second Debate
·After the First Debate: What Neither Candidate Cared to Mention (10.5.2000)
·Introduction (10.2.2000)


home ·  tools for choice ·  are you sure? ·  bush ·  gore
other candidates ·  video ·  photo gallery ·  teacher's guide
credits ·  synopsis ·  tapes & transcripts ·  press
FRONTLINE ·  wgbh ·  pbs online

web site copyright WGBH educational foundation


back to top
SUPPORT PROVIDED BY