Al Gore, the Vice President and a prominent contender in the presidential race, effectively manages his family, work duties, and campaign to achieve success. Convincing American citizens that he is superior to other candidates poses a major challenge for him. This challenge becomes even more difficult with the formidable opponent he faces—George W. Bush, son of former president George Bush Sr. Now let’s examine Al Gore’s life leading up to this intense competition and meet the individuals who have greatly influenced his character as a democratic candidate.
Al Gore, born on March 31, 1948, is the son of former U.S. Senator Albert Gore, Sr. and Pauline LaFon Gore. He was raised in Carthage, Tennessee and later in Washington, D.C. Due to his father’s frequent travels, he often stayed in hotels which limited his interaction with children but exposed him to adults and may have contributed to his maturity.
Gore pursued higher education at Harvard University where he earned a government degree with honors in 1969. Afterward, he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. This experience allowed him to connect with fellow veterans during subsequent campaigns while demonstrating his patriotism.
After returning to civilian life, Gore settled down in Tennessee where he studied religion at Vanderbilt University while working as a newspaper reporter for The Tennessean based out of Nashville.
During this time period, Al Gore met Tipper (Mary Elizabeth Aitchenson), who would become his future wife.They bought a farm together in Carthage that same year they got married and had their first child.Currently residing there today,Gore later attended Vanderbilt Law School after completing these initial endeavors.
In 1976, Gore began his public service career as a representative for Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Subsequently, he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1984 and re-elected in 1990, becoming the first candidate to win all 95 counties of Tennessee. During his bid for the Democratic nomination for President in 1988, Gore triumphed in primary elections and caucuses across seven states.
Al Gore is married to Mary Elizabeth “Tipper” Aitcheson. Tipper currently works as an author, photojournalist, activist, and serves as President Clinton’s advisor on mental health policy. The couple has four children together named Karenna, Kristin, Sarah, and Albert. They own a small farm near Carthage and regularly attend New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Carthage.
Al Gore’s father, Albert Gore Sr., was born on a farm in Jackson County, Tennessee. He had a career as a schoolteacher before entering public service. Initially serving as the Smith County Superintendent of Schools, he later became Tennessee’s Secretary of Labor.
Albert Gore, Sr. gained national recognition by winning elections for the House and then the United States Senate. He became known as a prominent advocate for civil rights and was one of only three southern Senators who did not endorse the Southern Manifesto. Additionally, he wrote and supported the bill that led to the creation of the Interstate Highway system.
Gore was recognized for his leadership in tax reform, defense policy, and his vocal opposition to the Vietnam War. He was seen as a progressive and innovative type of southern politician, working to strengthen connections between the South and the rest of America.
After leaving the Senate in 1970, Albert Gore Sr. pursued a career as a lawyer and businessman while managing the Gore family farm in Carthage, Tennessee. He passed away at age 91 in 1998.
In December, Al Gore honored his late father during a memorial service held in Nashville, Tennessee where he delivered a eulogy.
Pauline LaFon Gore, the mother of Al Gore, grew up in Weakley County and later in Jackson, Tennessee. Despite the challenges of the Great Depression, she managed to work her way through college and law school as a waitress, earning tips of only 25 cents.
During her night shifts at the Andrew Jackson Hotel, Pauline LaFon met Albert Gore, Sr., another law student. She was one of the pioneering women who graduated from Vanderbilt Law School.
In 1937, Pauline LaFon married Albert Gore, Sr. and played an active role as a political spouse. Throughout her husband’s campaigns, she offered him close advice and even came up with the slogan that helped him win his first Senate race.
After her husband retired from the Senate, Pauline returned to practicing law and became a mentor for young women interested in pursuing legal careers. In March, Vanderbilt University Law School recognized Pauline LaFon Gore as its Distinguished Alumna of the Year.
Tipper Gore, along with her husband Al Gore, is a well-known advocate for families, women, and children. Currently, she advises President Clinton on mental health issues. Her main area of focus is fighting against discrimination in healthcare for individuals with mental illnesses. Additionally, Tipper actively addresses other concerns such as children’s health, homelessness, AIDS, and physical fitness. Born Mary Elizabeth Aitcheson on August 19, 1948, she was given the nickname Tipper by her mother. She grew up in Arlington, Virginia where she met Al at his High School Senior Prom. They got married on May 19th of 1970 while Al served in the Army. In that same year, Tipper earned a B.A. in Psychology from Boston University. Later in 1975 at Vanderbilt University’s George Peabody College of Education and Human Development , she obtained a Master’s Degree in Psychology. Alongside her husband’s election to Congress in 1976 came Tipper’s passion for photography which led to work as a photojournalist at The Tennessean until then.
Shortly after that significant event occurred ,she founded the Congressional Wives Task Force with a primary focus on addressing violence within children’s television programming.
Tipper Gore co-founded the Parents’ Music Resource Center (PMRC) in 1985, aiming to aid parents in protecting their children from inappropriate material in popular culture. One of the victories of PMRC was the establishment of consumer labels on music containing explicit or violent lyrics, a practice that continues today. She published her first book, “Raising PG Kids in an X-Rated Society,” in 1987 to showcase her advocacy work on behalf of families. In addition to this, she actively championed the cause of homelessness by co-founding and chairing Families for the Homeless in 1986, an organization that raises awareness of homeless issues without political bias. As Mental Health Policy Advisor to President Clinton, Tipper Gore diligently campaigned for affordable and quality mental health care. Her efforts have made her widely recognized as a prominent advocate for mental health care services, especially in terms of achieving parity between mental health benefits and general health benefits provided by medical insurance plans. Moreover, Tipper Gore has collaborated with her husband on hosting the yearly “Family Reunion” family policy conferences held in Nashville, which have significantly advanced crucial family-oriented measures including Family and Medical Leave, the V-Chip, after-school care, and initiatives promoting family-centered health care.Tipper Gore, an enthusiastic sports lover, has taken on the role of Chair of the National Youth Fitness Campaign under the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Together with the Council, her objective is to encourage youth physical fitness and enlighten Americans, especially young girls, about the numerous positive physical and mental advantages associated with being fit and engaged in physical activity.
Al and Tipper Gore have four children: Karenna Gore Schiff, 27, is a recent law school graduate. She and her husband, Dr. Drew Schiff, are the proud parents of Wyatt Gore Schiff, Al and Tipper Gore’s first grandchild, who was born on July 4, 1999.
Kristin, 23, is a comedy writer.
Sarah, 21, is a senior in college.
Albert, 17, is a high school senior.
The Gore family have a black Labrador dog named Shiloh from Clarksville,Tennessee,
and a mixed-breed dog named Daisy that the children found,injured and abandoned,near Center Hill Lake in Middle Tennessee.
This shows the compassionate and affectionate side of this democrat.He has formed a never-ending bond with his wife and children therefore making hima family man.
