7/27/00 5:45 p.m.
Weird Al
Gore's strangeness knows no bounds.

By NR's John J. Miller & Ramesh Ponnuru

ou've already read about Al Gore's desire to eliminate the internal combustion engine, among other radical proposals found in his book, Earth in the Balance. But there are positively bizarre passages as well, and over the next several days, the Washington Bulletin plans to share them. Read on, and feel Al's pain.

A developing child in a dysfunctional family searches his parent's face for signals that he is whole and all is right with the world; when he finds no such approval, he begins to feel that something is wrong inside. And because he doubts his worth and authenticity, he begins controlling his inner experience — smothering spontaneity, masking emotion, diverting creativity into robotic routine, and distracting an awareness of all he is missing with an unconvincing replica of what he might have been.

Remembering Reagan
David Gergen's forthcoming book, Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership: Nixon to Clinton, includes many kind words about Ronald Reagan. On the eve of the GOP convention, a brief excerpt:

Reagan wasn't just comfortable in his own skin. He was serene. And he had a clear sense of what he was trying to accomplish. Those were among his greatest strengths as a leader. Nobody had to tell him those things. He knew where he wanted to go and how he might get there. Instead of trying to treat him like a marionette, as we did sometimes, the best thing we could do on staff was to help clear the obstacles from his path. ... In my view, he was the best leader in the White House since Franklin Roosevelt.

On the Site
Check out Rich Lowry on why it's good Dick Cheney is boring.