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OCTOBER 18, 2000

Presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush sparred one last time last night, setting the stage for what will be a close battle for control of the Oval Office.

But undecided voters looking to make a decision on the two may not have been persuaded either way by the debate. As the candidates fought one another over issues like taxes, health care, government spending, and affirmative action, it was hard not to be confused on just who believes what.

Following a question from an audience member on affirmative action, for instance, Bush prided himself on increasing diversity at public institutions in Texas. He used the term "affirmative access" to describe a law he said he helped pass as Governor and decried the use of quotas.

But when faced with a challenge from Gore and a question from moderator Jim Lehrer, Bush couldn't seem to pinpoint the meaning of affirmative action.

"If affirmative action means quotas, I'm against it," said Bush. "If affirmative action means what I just described what I'm for [i.e. affirmative access], then I'm for it."

The battle over health care was equally contentious. As Gore attacked Bush's proposals, Bush at times responded not by defending his programs, but by advocating more cooperation among political parties.

"We've had enough fighting," Bush said. "It's time to unite."

Whether or not Bush can get both parties to unite should he win the election is another question. But Indian Country has already been alerted to what many consider their worst nightmare: the possibility that Senator Slade Gorton (R-Wash) could be called upon to head the Department of Interior, since current Secretary Bruce Babbitt will be vacating the position.

As first reported by Heather Taylor, governmental relations spokesperson for the Tribal Association of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (TASWER), and confirmed by Indianz.Com, a Bush aide has suggested Gorton as a logical choice for the position, given his chairmanship of the Interior appropriations subcommittee.

However, Gorton would only be considered should he lose his bid for re-election to the Senate, according to the Bush camp. Twelve tribes in Washington have endorsed his opponent, Maria Cantwell, who trails Gorton in the polls.

In related debate news, Green Party candidate Ralph Nader on Tuesday filed suit in federal court against several parties, including the Commission on Presidential Debates, for being snubbed at the first debate in Boston, Massachusetts. He was refused entrance, despite holding a ticket to the event, and says his rights have been violated.

Relevant Links:
C-SPAN's Debate Center - www.cspan.org/campaign2000/presdebates.asp
The Commission on Presidential Debates - www.debates.org

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