By Amanda Hunt
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Vice President Al Gore limped in on crutches yesterday afternoon for a Democratic rally at the Tucson Convention Center, but his stand was strong.
As campaign posters danced above the crowd, Gore spoke on behalf of Democratic senatorial candidate Sam Coppersmith, D-House, and gave his support for other Democratic candidates in Arizona.
Gore said,"We have eight days left on the road to one of the most important elections of our time. It is up to you whether or not we continue moving forward, building on the good start we've made, or call a halt to the progress and take a radical right-hand U-turn back to trickle-down Reaganomics."
Gore emphasized that Coppersmith's work in the U.S. House of Representatives has been vital in the reshaping of the United States' domestic policy.
Coppersmith will face Arizona Republican Jon Kyl, R-House, in the upcoming Nov. 8 election.
Gore began his speech with a barrage of jokes, commenting that he tore his Achilles' tendon recently while he was "impersonating a UA Wildcat" on the basketball court.
Gore said it was important to "continue moving forward" and reflected back on recent Republican leadership.
He said, "We tried it their way for 12 years . they created the worst recession since the dustbowl of the 1930s . American jobs went from being number one in the world to number 10 . quadrupled national debt."
Gore said the Republicans allowed "violent crime spread out of control in every city and every classroom" and "(they) neglected to respond to the AIDS epidemic." He added that heath care reform, education and the environment were also neglected.
Gore said that as a U.S. representative, Coppersmith has been dedicated in helping government invest more in education and "creating opportunities for people to get ahead."
The vice president said change is slow, but we are "moving in the right direction."
Gore also responded to Coppersmith's critics, who have portrayed him as blindly supporting President Bill Clinton's policies. Gore said he knows first-hand how independent Coppersmith is, particularly in support of economic policies.
In his speech, Coppersmith said he has not always agreed with the president but has supported his efforts to "move forward" and change.
Coppersmith said his record in the U.S. House of Representatives shows he has voted for bills supporting women's issues, like the "right to choose" and stricter laws for domestic violence. He also said he has voted "yes" on bills improving education, fighting crime and supporting health care reform.
He criticized Kyl for supporting defense spending at the expense of education. "Arizonans think it's better to invest in star students than star wars," he said.
Coppersmith was joined by many other Democrats, including Sen. Dennis DeConcini, whose seat he and Kyl are fighting to fill.
Other candidates who spoke: Rep. Ed Pastor; Lela Alston, candidate for superintendent of public schools; Gary Auerbach, democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives; and Peter Rios, candidate for secretary of state.
Several prominent city officials also attended, including Mayor George Miller, who presented the Vice President with a copper plaque at the closing of the event.