EDITORIAL Demo's create their own Dream Team What do Pepsi and the Bill Clinton/Al Core Demo cratic presidential ticket have in common? According to those in the know, both are "The choice of a new generation." Perhaps the convention would attract more network viewers if it was entitled "Democrats: The Next Generation." And coming up next on MTV, "Clinton * Gore - Unplugged." Anyway you slice it. the youngest presidential tick et in history has arrived, ana it will need to spend the next four months proving that Dan Quayle really isn’t representative of the baby-boomcr’s generation. Clinton was decidedly unconventional in his selec tion of a same-region running mate. Throwing caution to the wind, he decided to forgo traditional politics and selected a partner based on his potential to do the job, rather than how many regional votes he could deliver. Crummur and spelling probably counted us well. Core, the second-term senator from Tennessee, is squeaky clean. He was thoroughly checked out during his 15)88 presidential bid. and is virtually .tbove re proach (yes. he inhaled). And he has berm a leader on environmental issues, a definite plus in the quest for Western votes. Gore also meets the Republicans head-on over the issue of family values. He is very pro-family, pro-chil dren and at the same time (gasp!) pro-choice. If Core has any potential flaws, they come in the form of Tip per Core, his wife. She is very active with children’s issues, certainly a plus. However, as you may or may not recall. Tipper Core is also one of the founders of the Parents Music: Resource Concern (I’MRC). The PMRC was able to con vince several members of the United States Senate to spend several days listening to vivid descriptions of "darling Nikki ... masturbating with a magazine," and other such politically-charged rock lyrics. The PMRC was granted the: hearing because Sen. Core could ar range it. As Vice President Core, the potential for Tip per to become another Nancy Reagnn is very real, and must In: regarded with caution. That said, this new look for the Democrats bodes well for the future. Both Clinton and Gore an; members of the Democratic: leadership Council, the emergent centrist arm of the Democratic: Party and a far cry from the classic: Sun Francisco liberalism of the past. The DLC accurately reflects the views of mainstream Amur ic:a: and under its leadership, the Democrats ure field ing their strongest ticket in 30 vesars. And a quick historical note;. Only two vice presi dents who became president have ever been re-elected: Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809) and Theodore Roosevelt (15X11-1909). Whether George Bush deserves a place at their side remains to be seen. Al Gore, however, de serves the chance to try. LETTERS POLICY The Oregon Daily Emerald will attempt to print all letters containing comments on topics of interest to the University community. Letters to the editor must be limited to no more than 250 words, legible, signed and the identification of the writer must Ik: verified when the letter is submitted. The Emerald reserves the right to edit any letter for length or style. Oregon Daily PO BOX Wi tUGlNf ORIGON9U03 The Oregon Daily t mar MO • puDOahad daily Monday through fnday during lha tchooi yaar and Tuesday and Tfuredey dunng ina aummer By ina Oregon Deny Emerald PuBtafurg Co Incal ina Unrvareay ol Oregon l ugona. O'agon Tha t ma«oid oparaiae mdagandanoy ol lha Ur-manury wth oH«a» * Suaa 300 o> ina ErO Memorial Umon and a a membar d ina Aanooaiad Fhaaa lha Emaralu a pnvda proparty Tha unlewlul ramoyaI dr uaa ol pagan a proaecit aow By law Uta In CMal I'm Maiacn Aaaociata Edaore Tan Nan. Oaralyn Treppa OrapMea Editor Jan PaaUty Editorial EdBor Manm Fanar MgM Editor Oaralyn Trapga 0ad)room Tachnalan Todd Waim Advartiamg Shaam Barvan. Jana aola. CWan Oh. Sarah Ouawiar. Catharine Hoyta. Claeefled Paggy McGinn. Manager ■ualnaaa Kathy Carbone. Suparvreor Production Ingnd Whaa PwOuctcn Coontnma Slacy Machat. Jarwlar Ftaumd Oanarel Manager Judy Hied Emerald AatmnHing uir«CTO> tvy«r n afwmjym NMMfOOM BuhhmMU Dtapiay Advwii«ng CtoMJhad taranMni ...... ..Mt-im .MMM1 PESTORAT'ON OP THE ECOLOGICAL /MTEGR«**f *v»< UNO r -wOW0£fi |P IT'S AV lndm*>uxj) sptats OPINION But who will answer the big question? ONAL SDOM By John M Clnrke, Jr. New York H L Mencken woulil roll over in his grave if he knew whai kind of political brood has I men descending upon the city of New York in the past few days It’s time for the 1902 Democrat ic National Convention, ladies and gents a la New York It's a mugger's paradise, a pimp's dream, an economic shot to the collective arm of New York, and a chance for Gov. Dill Clinton of Arkansas and Sen. Al (ion1 of Tennessee to convince the concerned poli ty that they are worthy of the presidency and vice presidency ... and even more important, gaining access to unlimited rides on the White House jet. Air Force One Mencken was spoiled with the political excitement of the days of old. from the Great De pression to the rebellious movement of the flappers to the frustration of the Prohibition Act. During the 1924 Democrat ic National Convention, Mencken found himself stuffed inside the old Madison Square Garden with various heated is sues of the time, two of the most important lining the Prohi bition Act, u vote-splitting crack in the Democrats, and the debate about the condemnation of the Klu Mux Man. who made several appearances on masse throughout the monu mental 17-dov event. They were strange days, days when the media seemed to have a soul and important rev elations to share with the pub lic. The issues were right In front of the communal oye of all the voters. Had I been alive to witness such historical and political alterations, 1 would be able to expound on the feelings of those moments. But my dear father was not even born in 1924, so I will have to make it up with this convention. Much like the obvious issues of the presidential campaign of 1924, I her campaign of 1992 also has its issues out there tor all to see. There's no room for Htt style snow jobs whore is sues took a hack sent to debate techniques and personality To day, the issues are out there, and the voters want to site some c hange in Washington Hut like the proverbial say ing: "The leaves of the trees change, but the roots will al ways remain." so too goes the antics that will sporadically roar within the confines of the convention. The faces and the Issues may change, but the Democrats will always weur their strengths and weaknesses on their cuffs. "The conventions will be the same damned circus wo had in 1984 and 1988," said Stove Husto, a New York press affili ate. “They are always com pletely out of control, chaotic, drunken, sleazy ami a whole lot of fun. "Thero was nothing even re motely comparable to finding yourself, on the third or fourth convention night, at some strip joint, and right when you fell your morals have been bruised, ZANG! you recognize tow or three delegates from New Jersey or California. The you don't feel as bad. and you order an other." Yes, to a certain extent con ventions are highly predictable these days. They’re like some massive airplanes stuffed with every kind of political junky. And once the plane is put on automatic pilot and the Great Gavel opens the first day's pro ceedings all you have to do is cheer when everyone elso does. And when the gavel pounds tho day to a close, hold on tight to your wallet and do as delegates do — get drunk. But I couldn't very well say thero will be no surprises at the convention According to The New York Times, at 11:05.5 on Thursday. July 16. there is five minutes of spontaneous chocr ing scheduled for the benefit of nil the Democrats who really want to gel down, gel weird, get loud and express their joy with the candidate in the form of shrieking war cries. But at least this circus that emerges every four years from Ihe dark and murky depths of liberal Democracy has a pur pose It's a time when the party can pull together as a collective whole and participate in the possible election of one of their own. it's a chance for partici pants to harness all feasible po litical desires and attempt to sell them to their nominated candidate. Other than the various ex cnruiidatcs who have emerged from the disgraceful abyss of withdrawing from the presiden tial race to announce their sup port for Clinton, the only news is Clinton's choice for running mate. Core. But this kind of news does not really catch my oyo in any significant way. It doesn't raise a whole lot of questions that I am concerned with. Jesse, Mario, Brown. Tson gas, Kerrey, Wilder, Robb or Shurplon can support or fight the Clinton/Gore ticket until they're blue in the face, but I'll bet none of them could answer my question The question that was asked throughout the media welcom ing party on Saturday night and pondered in the dark and cool bars lined along Madison Square Garden. The question I asked Dan Rather as we holpod ourselves to some chablis at the Inglenook tent, the question I whispered to Al Sharpton as I shook his slimy hand, and the question Steve Husto asked Pe ter Jennings us he downed a plastic cup of beer: "If the walls of Madison Square Carden could speak, what do you think they would say is more of a joke — the 19112 Democratic Convention or the Noil Dia mond concert hero next week?" John M. Clarke lr. is a student at the University