Bush, Gore now pave way to Nov. election

George W. Bush, Texas governor, and Al Gore, vice president, will be contending in the Nov. general election due to McCain and Bradley's resignations. Bush and Gore just about claimed party victory following major Super Tuesday losses for their opponents.

by Joe Holden news editor

George W. Bush saw solid evidence of victory over John McCain from two of the nation's electoral powerhouses, New York and California.

Though the future for McCain is l(?oking dim, he holds the potential to shape the Republican party platform and sway his followers and supporters to either Gore or Bush, possibly making or breaking the election for either of the two.

Presidential primaries were held in 11 states on Tuesday, March 7th. Vice President Al Gore also saw a predicted triumph over former Senator Bill Bradley, Democrat from New Jersey.

McCain saw early, unexpected success in the New England and Michigan primaries, upsetting the odds that Bush had a firm grasp on the Republican nomination. However, the South Carolina primary foretold McCain's eventual rout with the stronglyfavored Bush, as did happen on Super Tuesday.

Bush and McCain battled a close contest in the Empire state, second only to California in size, where the population veered to the Bush side awarding him 52 percent. McCain, not far back in the distance crossed the line with 42 percent. Much was different however in Calif. where the winner-take-all primary crowned

Bush the victor.

Gore's success in the primaries catapulted him up to Democratic nominee for president. Gore made several references to the general election to be held in Nov., emphasizing his opponent's knock out.

Gore lapped Bradley in the N.Y. primary taking in 61 percent of the vote. Bradley received a little more than half of Gore's earnings coming in at 38 percent.

As in N.Y., Bradley foundered from New England to the South, the Mississippi valley all the way to the Pacific. Gore claimed all 162 delegates from Calif. making the race now a mathematical certainty that Bradley is sunk.

In the New England primaries where McCain's luck prevailed, many of his voters were not registered Republicans until they made the decision to support him. In Mass., only members of an independent party can participate in the primary of either party. McCain's success in Vt. was due in part to the Democrats and Independents who voted for him. Otherwise, he only received support from 45 percent of Republicans. Similar incidents occurred in the N.H. and Mich. primaries earlier this year. The strong Democrat and Independent support that McCain received in New England suggests a dislike for the Democratic candidates, which will only help the Republicans in the general election. However, now that McCain has announced his exit from the race, all is left to be seen with who his voters will reconcile with. The Super Tuesday primaries determined that Bush had a definite grip on the Republican nomination. Bush and McCain shared some similar views on the issues, and on other issues the two were in opposite directions.

Bush supports a women's choice to have an abortion, but wants to encourage fewer abortions through adopting and abstinence. He makes no pro-life pledge, and he would support a law banning partial-birth abortions and taxpayer funding of abortions.

McCain wanted Roe vs. Wade to be made irrelevant. McCain did not support abortion or partial -birth abortion.

Bush praises the $792 billion tax cut proposed by Congress. McCain wanted to see taxes cut by 33 percent with any surplus to be given to social security and Medicare.

Bush wants a tax plan that helps both the poor and rich. Currently, taxing in the United States is on a progressive scale, meaning, the more income one makes, the more one will be taxed.

McCain wanted a flatter tax that was more simple, and a middle-class tax cut.

Bush wants IRA withdrawals to be allowed for charitable contributions. As it stands now, unless an IRA explicitly states different- ly, if a person withdraws from an IRA before it has matured, the person will incur large penalties.

Bush supports tax financing of sports stadiums. Bush guarantees future surpluses with his tax plan. However, his plan includes a $792 billion cut, which would not make it easy for the government to rake in any surpluses.

Bush favors the federal government staying out of the stock market and supports the balanced budget amendment.

Bush wants failing students to pass and to use phonics to keep children reading at their grade level. He favors the government establishing standards and then requiring individual school districts to meet them. He wants to praise and reward the successful schools and shame schools that fail to meet the standards.

Bush wants $7 million placed into low-income schools and wants standardized tests to be locally based, not nationally based.

McCain supported the Ed-ACT bill that would assist families with college tuition and fees.

Bush considers school vouchers a priority. "Let poor people choose their schools like rich people." McCain wanted $5 billion allocated for the school voucher program.

Bush supports the death penalty as a deterrent. He supports mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders. He supports victim notification and anti-stalking laws. He favors the "two-strikes"

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law. McCain also supported the death penalty and wanted more prisons.

Bush encourages abstinence from tobacco, drugs and alcohol. He supports tough drug laws and drug education. McCain backed a plan that set aside $1 billion for drug prevention and control.

Bush wants to rebuild military power to deal with the "world of terror." He believes that the military is the key to preserving world peace. He favors increased military salaries and spending. He thinks soldiers should have a clear mission and the best support possible.

Bush wants the legal age for possessing a firearm to be 21.

He wants certain ammunition banned. He backs a $1.6 million tax campaign, "Gun Crime Means Hard Time." He wants no child-safety locks on guns. He favors gun restrictions just as long as the basic right of possessing a firearm remains. He supports assault weapons, and is against a gun waiting period.

Bush supports the social security system but would consider raising the retirement age. He backs private accounts for social security contributions. He would favor tax-funded IRA's under federal guidelines. One of his goals for the system is for Americans to have more control over their investments for retirement.