The military will also be well represented, with former likely to be Secretary of State if Bush's costly lawyers prevail in the ongoing court wrangles. Under this pressure it is small wonder that the bulk of Gore's support has come from those who saw themselves most at risk from these policies - women, black people, Hispanics, Jews and the poor (earning $30,000 less). By contrast, Bush's vote has centred on the rich and well-to-do ($75,000 a year plus), men, whites and protestants. Bigots largely turned out for Bush, while the unions and black churches mobilised for even HOIC Gore.
But Gore's huge credibility problem among his core voters rests on their experience of the last eight years of ush is not even Clinton government, which choosing his own have led to a continual erostaff, as the first sion of welfare rights and moves are made to real wages, without delivertogether ing the oft-promised and administra- much vaunted health reforms which so many desperately need.
hospital As a party equally based on the political needs of big capital and US imperialism, and George's seeking only at election time to court the support of union leaders and run the movements, the Democrats nave 892110 robbed selves of what should be a natural majority, and created the electoral bind. are being M any of the millions of disafbe hefty fected i have •refused to cast vote in these effectively voted with their feet, refusing to give Gore a mandate, but finding themof the giant selves with no plausible candidate to support instead. The current saga will soon run to a conclusion, but the paradox of the world's most advanced economy boasting the least developed political system - and the most politically backward labour movement - means that woever wins, he will be the best president money could buy. The best conclusion would be that this latest exposure of the bankrupt system will trigger the long-delayed political awakening of the US trade unions, and the launch of a serious labour party, independent of the Democrats. But don't hold your breath!
Outlook