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THANKS, BUT NO THANKS Gore helpers pick up party tab

It’s bad enough that Al Gore waited half a year to thank the thousands of volunteers and employees who worked on his presidential campaign at Capitol City Brewery last week.

But at his official “Thank You” party, the ex-veep didn’t even pick up the drink tab for the staffers who worked for Al and Tipper in the past 24 years.

The hundreds of staffers who showed up were offered beer, wine and alcohol — at high prices — in exchange for their contact information. Tricolor chips, greasy ground beef and spicy cheese, however, were gratis, as were cold buffalo wings and oily quesadillas. While Gore didn’t announce his future plans, he did reveal that he’ll have a second grandchild in August.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

Answers

Response to GORE - Throws thank]you party but ex-staffers, volunteers have to pick up high-priced drinks tab

Looks like another Gore bashing, from Hillnews. Just can't seem to leave that guy alone now. I really don't understand the continuing interest in Gore and his failed attempt to climb higher in politics. As far as paying for your own alcohol, I have been to many parties where the bar was not free, no big deal. Pay for your own drug there. It can have the positive effect of keeping the true lushes in check. But why the bashing of the snacks as well?

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

Response to GORE - Throws thank]you party but ex-staffers, volunteers have to pick up high-priced drinks tab

I guess I'm too used to thank-you parties for campaign workers in New Orleans, where the food is magnificent and all refreshments are included.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

Response to GORE - Throws thank]you party but ex-staffers, volunteers have to pick up high-priced drinks tab

Were those campaign parties in celebration of victory, where there is still plenty of money rolling in, or were they a gathering of the defeated? I think of this like a championship sports event. During the "contest" we scream for our side and boo the other side. Later, if we are on the winning side, we usually celebrate our victory and leave the losing side alone to go and lick their wounds.

Why continue to heap abuse and ridicule on those who lost the game? Is it because he has shown some signs of wanting to stay in the competition? Heck, all pro sports teams, or idividuals for that matter, continue to dream of a comeback, another day that might see them shine again. That's the mark of anyone who deaply commits themself to some test, or contest.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

One of the reasons I don't make campaign contributions. It is never spent for the intended purpose.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

Gordon, any political party in Louisiana is all-inclusive, whether a victory party or a post-election thank-you for a loser's staff and volunteers (except perhaps for the Baptist Belt around Baton Rouge and north). I haven't been involved in that world for fifteen years so things may have changed--but I doubt it. The custom is far too ingrained. Some of the best parties I ever attended were thrown by losers, who often go on to win some other office anyway. (E.g., Bennett Johnston lost to Edwin Edwards for Governor but later won as U.S. Senator.) It's one of the reasons why politics is such a popular activity in the state. Louisiana politicians may steal five bucks from you, but they give back two or three. Anywhere else I've lived, you're lucky if they give back twenty-five cents.

Remember that Louisiana voters were almost unanimously unconcerned about Governor Edwin Edwards and his blatantly corrupt lifestyle, his gambling activities and his Dixie Mafia connections. I'm sure that was due in great part to his adherence to the Louisiana custom of "laissez les bon temps roulez," a phrase corrupted from the French, meaning "let the good times roll."

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001