My Fellow Americanos...

By Melissa August, Harriet Barovick, Michelle Derrow, Brian Doyle, Tam Gray, Lina Lofaro, Robert Morse, David Spitz and Chris Taylor

Last week Al Gore and George W. Bush each began campaigning formally for his party's nomination. It's already beginning to feel like October 2000.

BACKDROP

BUSH Tractors and hay bales in Amana, Iowa

GORE A courthouse in Carthage, Tenn.

WARM UP

[BUSH] BBQ buffet

[GORE] Country music by John Michael Montgomery

ATTIRE

[BUSH] Black boots and Texas-style belt buckle

[GORE] Blue business suit

THINLY VEILED GIBE

[BUSH] "They did not invent prosperity any more than they invented the Internet."

[GORE] "I want to keep our prosperity going...I want to do it the right way--not by letting people fend for themselves, or hoping for crumbs of compassion."

I-AM-NOT-CLINTON ASSURANCE

[BUSH] "My first goal is to usher in the responsibility era. An era that stands in stark contrast to the last few decades, when the culture has clearly said, If it feels good, do it."

[GORE] "I make you this pledge: If you entrust me with the presidency, I will marshal its authority, its resources and its moral leadership to fight for America's families."

Y EN ESPANOL...

[BUSH] "[We will] tell families from the barrios of L.A. to the Rio Grande Valley: 'El sueno americano es para ti.'"

[GORE] "I want to extend our prosperity to...our farms and inner cities, to our new immigrants, y tambien en las comunidades."

MESSAGE

[BUSH] He was born with a silver spoon, but he eats just like you and me.

[GORE] Ditto