Chapter One
An American Attitude
It was October 18, 2000, the morning after the third and final Gore-Bush debate.
I was invited on the Today show to offer my political analysis of who had won.
Gore had already declared his previous night's performance to be his
"Goldilocks" debate: "The first was too hot. The second was too cool. The third
was just right." And his fairy-tale verdict had gone unchallenged by the media.
Until Matt Lauer asked me what I thought.
Here's what I said: "I think Gore was more aggressive last night, and if you
look at the polls, he won on a couple of points. But clearly the interesting
question again is, Who do you like? Bush won."
Matt Lauer leaped on me like a cougar from a tree: "Let's be honest here, you've
been saying that all along. Al Gore irritates you."
Me: "The public has been saying that too."
Matt (a second time): "Al Gore irritates you."
Me (again): "The public has been saying that too."
Matt: "But you just don't like Al Gore's style, and it's very hard for you to
look past it."
Me: "No, no. I think the ... read full excerpt from: Now, Let Me Tell You What I Really Think ebook
