Vice President Al Gore

A chat with a presidential candidate

Vice President Al Gore

The following is an edited transcript of a chat held on Thursday, June 17, 1999, with Vice President Al Gore who has officially launched his bid for the 2000 Democratic nomination. CNN Interactive provided a typist for Gore, who joined us on the phone from New York City.

Chat Moderator: Welcome Vice President Al Gore, thanks for joining us today.

Chat Participant: <Pame5Ashe> Vice President Gore, if you become our next president, what is your number one priority in this country?

Vice President Al Gore: To keep our prosperity going and to extend it to every American and use it to bring revolutionary change to our public schools.

Chat Participant <beth>: I want to know how Gore will try to distance himself from the Clinton scandals?

Vice President Al Gore: I think everyone understands that any two people are different. I have worked with President Clinton to bring prosperity to America. And my philosophy of governance is similar, but I want to bring my own values of faith and family to the presidency to build on America -- an America that is not only better off, but is also better.

Chat Participant <RCT>: What's his position on campaign finance reform?

Vice President Al Gore: I strongly support campaign finance reform. I was a sponsor of tough reform proposals in the House and in the Senate. I refused to accept PAC money -- political action committee money -- and I have supported the main bipartisan reform bill now pending. Every Democrat in the Senate supported it. The Republicans are blocking it. If you entrust me with the presidency, I will move heaven and earth to bring about meaningful campaign finance reform.

Chat Participant <Tigris>: Mr. Gore, do you think that any of the legislation that has appeared or is being proposed as a result of the Columbine shooting will actually have an impact on teen violence, or is it mostly feel-good legislation?

Vice President Al Gore: I think that many of the measures to restrict the easy availability of guns to children and to others who should not have them can make a real difference. I broke the tie in the Senate to close the gun-show loophole. I now call upon the Republican House of Representatives to pass that measure tonight, when they vote at 9 p.m. eastern time.

Chat Moderator: If you could ask President Clinton to do one thing to help you in your bid, what would that be?

Vice President Al Gore: To continue doing an excellent job as president, which I know he will.

Chat Participant <DarrylMorrison>: Who will be the vice president if Gore runs for president?

Vice President Al Gore: Good question, but it is premature. Because I must first concentrate on winning the nomination.

Chat Participant <fredie>: Is Gore supporting Clinton on Kosovo?

Vice President Al Gore: I'm very proud that President Clinton stood up for freedom, and I'm proud that our military, along with our NATO allies, have scored a significant victory against the ugly force of ethnic barbarism. And I'm happy that the refugees are now returning to their homes.

Chat Moderator: Thank you Vice President Gore for joining us today.

Vice President Al Gore: Thank you! Bye bye.

Chat Moderator: Thank you chatters for joining us today. Unfortunately, the vice president had to leave us. We have invited him back to join us again.

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