Lieberman kicks off his campaign

This datum had a confusing effect. If the Gore candidacy so heavily needed Joe Lieberman on the ticket, what was the explanation for it? Vice President Gore spoke beamingly of his choice and of the prospects for the ticket ("We will make history together"), causing some to wonder: Why was Gore so behind in public esteem? He has been eight years as a very conspicuous vice president and yet was trailing badly. Why were his fortunes reversed by naming an obscure senator as vice president?

Because Lieberman is Jewish? Joseph Lieberman is many things, besides being Jewish. He is enormously talented as a human being and as a friend ("There are a thousand people here, each one of them could give you an example of Joe Lieberman's goodness and generosity," including this observer). The unwelcome hypothesis was being implicitly urged that the reason Gore/Lieberman would now proceed to win the election was because Joe Lieberman is Jewish. In a calm, tolerant society one wouldn't want a ticket to succeed because one of its members was Jewish, Catholic or black.

On the other hand, at political rallies, distinctions do not capture the tabloid's eye. Instead one revels in the animal political spirits, even as, in capitalist societies, the animal spirit, singled out by Lord Keynes, accounts for much economic activity.

Mr. Gore was in fine shape, his broad smile uninterrupted, his hand, when away from the podium, locked together with Tipper's. When the two candidates and their wives walked onstage, everyone kissed or hugged everyone else, which made one wonder: How many times did Tipper have to kiss Al in the eight hours they had spent together, beginning with the joint appearance that morning at Carthage, Tenn.?

But mostly they kissed the audience, and the audience kissed them back. "I saw a license plate yesterday that read, 'Illinois, the Home of Abraham Lincoln.' Soon Connecticut license plates will read, 'The Home of Joe Lieberman.'" It may prove a three-month round trip for Mr. Lieberman, Connecticut to Connecticut, but he is always welcome home.