Who will win the White House?

Republican George Bush says he wants to reform education. So does Democrat Al Gore. Bush wants a strong military. So does Gore. Both men say they'll lower taxes.

With so many speeches, debates--and debates about debates--it's sometimes hard to tell the presidential candidates apart.

Indeed, Texas Governor George Bush and Vice President Al Gore have much in common. Both are sons of politicians, Ivy-League educated, and married, with children. Both have proven leadership skills.

And both have crisscrossed the nation dozens of times this past year, hungry to win over undecided--or swing--voters.

But listen closely. These two candidates are saying very different things.

A Populist Champion

Gore portrays himself as a populist reformer. He wants to help working Families, "especially those who need a voice, those who need a champion."

The best way to help people get ahead, says Gore, is through a strong public-school system. "It's time to make revolutionary improvements in our public schools the No. 1 priority in the nation," he said recently.

Bush wants better schools too. But if he were President, he says, failing schools would be given only three years to shape up. After that, parents would be eligible for $1,500-a-year vouchers (credits for expenses) to help send their children to private or parochial schools.

Too many children, Bush says, "are segregated into schools without standards, shuffled from grade to grade because of their age, regardless of their knowledge. This is discrimination, pure and simple, the soft bigotry of low expectations."

Improving Lives

Bush, who calls himself a "compassionate conservative," believes that government programs are not always the best way to help people improve their lives.

Many government programs, Bush says, force Americans to share their wealth through unnecessarily high taxes. Bush calls for tax breaks that would encourage people to contribute more to private charities. He argues that charities--not government programs--best help the needy.

"Honor and Dignity"

Bush and Gore don't just disagree on policy matters. They also have different management styles. Gore tends to pay attention to every detail, no matter how small, while Bush relies on experts to guide him.

Bush has raised questions about Gore's ethics by reminding voters of President Clinton's scandals. "I will restore the honor and dignity of the Oval Office," Bush has said, suggesting that Gore could not do the same.

Gore, meanwhile, charges that Bush cannot be trusted. A Gore campaign aide, Douglas Hattaway, said that Bush had "broken his own promise not to engage in personal, negative attacks."

Choosing a Vice President

Gore chose Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut as his running mate, in part to help distance himself from the Clinton scandals. Lieberman was the first Democrat to attack Clinton openly for "immoral" behavior with a White House intern.

Bush chose a running mate who has experience he himself lacks. Dick Cheney was Chief of Staff for President Gerald Ford and Secretary of Defense under President George Bush.

"A Horse Race"

Who will win in November? After trailing Bush throughout the spring and for much of the summer, Gore closed the gap in the polls. Both parties predict a close election.

"Tighten your saddles!" writes one reporter. "Now it's a horse race."

Al Gore

DEMOCRAT

Hometown

Carthage, Tennessee

Family

Wife: Tipper

Children: Karenna Gore Schiff, 27; Kristin, 23; Sarah, 22; Albert III, 16

Grandson: Wyatt Gore Schiff

Pets

Dogs: Shiloh and Daisy

Fast Facts

* Late father, Albert Gore Sr., served in the U.S. House (1939-1953) and the U.S. Senate (1953-1971).

* Daughter Kristin is a comedy writer for Fox's Futurama.

Ralph Nadar 

GREEN

Background

Consumer-rights advocate

Platform

* Says corporations have too much control over government.

* Would fight for education reform, universal health coverage, and a clean environment.

* The only candidate to oppose the death penalty.

Running Mate

Winona LaDuke, a member of the White Earth Anishinaabeg Indian tribe

George W. Bush

REPUBLICAN

Hometown

Midland, Texas

Family

Wife: Laura

Children: Twins Barbara and Jenna, 18

Pets

Dog: Spot

Cats: Willie, Cowboy, and Ernie

Fast Facts

* Father, George H.W Bush, was U.S. President from 1989 to 1993 and Vice President from 1981 to 1989.

* Governor Bush was once part owner of baseball's Texas Rangers.

Pat Buchanan

REFORM

Background

Assistant to President Richard M. Nixon; director of communications for President Ronald Reagan; TV talk-show host

Platform

* Term limits on members of the House and Senate;

* Limit the amount of money donated to political campaigns;

* Reduce the number of immigrants who enter the U.S.

Running Mate

Ezola Foster, an African-American educator