When the vice president takes the stage tonight to make the most important speech of his political life, it is not just the broad electorate he must woo. They want Gore to charge their batteries. I don't think the transference has been made. Once we get back home, we will know within a few weeks if it has taken place. We will know, Collins adds, by how many party stalwarts are giving up their free time for this cause.
Transfers seem to work better as bank transactions.
President Clinton tried Tuesday to pass the torch to his second, appearing with Gore at a rally in a Michigan swing district and saying nice things. But somehow, he still ended up looking like the master of the realm. As the vice president spoke, Clinton stood behind him, first draping his arms around the first lady and Tipper Gore, then clasping Hillary's hand. Then came the animated clapping, and the animated smiling, and the animated head-bobbing. And as he did all these things, Clinton managed to look like the scene's central figure even in the backdrop.