IN HIS OWN WORDS

AL GORE Speaking yesterday about crime in Atlanta, as recorded by The New
York Times:

I pledge to you that if I am entrusted with the presidency, I will launch a
sweeping anti-crime strategy to make our families safe and secure. I will
intensify the battle against crime, drugs and disorder in our communities.
If you give me the chance, I will be a law enforcement president. . . .

As crime and fear grew, too many families became afraid to live up to their
own responsibilities and help take back their communities from the thugs and
the dealers. And too many criminals saw the disorder on our streets as an
invitation to further lawlessness and violence.

Seven years ago, we began to change all that. President Clinton and I
thought we needed a tougher and more comprehensive strategy to fight crime
on every single front. Smarter prevention to stop crime before it even
started. More police on our streets to thicken the thin blue line between
order and disorder. And tougher punishments, including the death penalty for
those who dared to penalize the innocent.