Gore Will Be Not Be Lightweight Replacement For Clinton

2-3-98
Philadelphia, Pa. --- Vice President Albert Gore will not be a lightweight replacement for President Clinton, should the latter be forced to make a premature departure from the White House, says a Penn State political scientist.

"Gore promises to be a strong and successful president, not only in domestic policy but also in foreign policy as well," notes Dr. Stephen Cimbala, professor of political science at Penn State's Delaware County Campus near Philadelphia. "He has been heavily involved in Clinton efforts to establish trade and technology transfer programs with China and agreements with Russia that would control proliferation of nuclear weaponry.

"Gore is far from a superficial thinker on international affairs, even those of great complexity, and has shown a strong grasp of those geopolitical changes that have taken place since the end of the Cold War," Cimbala says. "The vice president is especially knowledgeable on foreign policy issues related to the environment and economic development."

Cimbala is a specialist in U.S. defense policy and arms control, having written many books and articles. His most recent works are "The Politics Of War" (Penn State Press); "Collective Insecurity" (Greenwood Publishing Group); "U.S. Military Strategy And Cold War Endgame" (London: Frank Cass Publishers); and "Military Persuasion" (Penn State Press). He has also edited the book, "Clinton And Post-Cold War Defense."

Gore also has demonstrated skill as a coalition builder. As vice president, he has been able to work with leading members of Congress from both parties to initiate foreign policy measures requiring congressional approval, says the Penn State political scientist. These measures affect NATO expansion, START III (Strategic Arms Agreements), immigration and refugees, and technology transfer.

"Although not as ebullient as Clinton, Gore is in his own way approachable and friendly in dealing both with political leaders and ordinary citizens from foreign countries," Cimbala says. "Although not much is known about Gore's specific views on defense policies, it seems likely that he would continue the basic direction of Clinton security policy and Clinton levels of defense spending."

Should he step into the presidency, Gore's principal domestic challenge will be whether to grant pardon to President Clinton, according to the Penn State scholar.

"From the standpoint of the Democratic Party, Gore's reputation as a moderate and centrist would permit him to hold together both liberal and moderate factions of the `Clinton coalition' that made possible a Democratic victory in the presidential election of 1996," Cimbala says.

**pab**

EDITORS: Dr. Cimbala is at (610) 892-1467 office; and at sjc2@psu.edu by email.

Contacts:
Paul Blaum (814) 865-9481 (office) (814) 867-1126 (home) pab15@psu.edu
Vicki Fong (814) 865-9481 (office) (814) 238-1221 (home) vyf1@psu.edu