nough of the fund-raising, the endorsements, the straw polls, the national polls, and the polls of New Hampshire residents, each of whom will be surveyed at least six times before the year is out.
Presidential campaigns are still fueled in part by real debate, and it's time for this one to begin.
Labor Day has traditionally signaled a notching up of issue proposals from presidential candidates. The need is even greater this year because with no incumbent, there are competitive races in both parties and because the decision time has been shortened. Since there will be so many early primaries next year, the nominees are likely to be known by March 7 - just six months from now.
A few of the candidates have tried. John McCain was out front in urging military intervention in Kosovo. Al Gore has talked about education and crime, Bill Bradley about race, Elizabth Dole about guns, and Steve Forbes and Dan Quayle about taxes. Last week George Bush advocated educational vouchers and was challenged by Bradley, but there has been little engagement.
''The campaign has been quite boring, frankly,'' said Quayle. He got that right.
We hope this changes fast. There is plenty to talk about. The strong domestic economy has failed to lift millions for whom opportunities are narrowing. Public schools are poor or downright lousy in far too many districts. For many of the millions who are uninsured, health care would be better in Cuba. The long-term viability of Social Security and Medicare is in doubt. Race relations have far to go. Families want strengthening. Globally, the US role at a time of rapidly changing alliances needs debate and definition.
Today would be a fine time to begin.
