Gore's Democrat Support in Congress Fades

Gore's Democrat Support in Congress Fades

NewsMax.com
Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000

Al Gore is losing support of Democrats in Congress. Some want him to concede to President-elect Bush, and a few have even said they would vote for Bush if the House had to decide the winner of the election, according to Investor's Business Daily.

IBD reported Wednesday:

Liberal Rep. Julia Carson, D-Ind., said last week that she that didn't want Gore to ruin his chances in 2004 by acting like a sore loser.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., who attacked Bush's Social Security plan on the campaign trail, "would vote for Bush. Why? Because 62 percent of North Dakotans did," according to a Pomeroy spokesman.

Rep. Ralph Hall, D-Texas, said he was trying to persuade others among the 20-plus conservative Democrat "Blue Dogs" to back Bush.

"When you satisfy the secretary of state, and they certify you, to me, that's it," Hall told IBD. "That's a states' rights issue more than a national issue."

"Blue Dog" Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Texas, is leaning toward Bush.

"My district voted for Bush 2-1," he said. "Unless I have a compelling reason, I vote the wishes of my district. As of now, I don't have a compelling reason."

Another Blue Dog, Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., has said he would vote for Bush because his district did.

The Democrats control Mississippi's delegation by one vote. But Taylor's defection would give the state's vote in the House to Bush.

Even among some more liberal Democrats, Gore is fading. Sens. Robert Torricelli, D-N.J., and John Breaux, D-La., have said publicly that Gore must consider exit strategy.

And what about the risk of liberal Republicans going for Gore?

Rep. Connie Morella, R-Md., was quoted by reporters after the election as saying she would vote for Gore. She seems to have backed down as Gore's lawsuits dragged on and public support for Bush rose.

Chief of Staff Lisa Boepple said Morella was "taken out of context." But she would not say whom Morella would vote for.

Three other Republicans who, like Morella, voted against impeaching President Clinton say they will stand by Bush: Rep. Chris Shays, R-Conn.; Rep. Amo Houghton, R-N.Y; and Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind.

"Let me be as unequivocal as I can: In the unlikely event this goes to the House, he will vote for the nominee of his party," Shays spokesman Eric Friedman told IBD.

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