On Campus this month is publishing brief profiles of presidential candidates as part of the preparation for endorsement by the AFT. Among Republicans, we chose the four who appear strongest on the basis of polls and fundraising ability. Both Democratic candidates are included.

• Vice President Al Gore has been closely involved in shaping the education policies of the Clinton administration, especially the effort to connect schools with the Internet. Gore has taken a clear stand against vouchers. He favors more federal aid for school construction and modernization, telling the AFT QuEST conference this summer, "We can't lift children up in schools that are practically falling down." Democrat Gore called for a campaign to upgrade the status of education with higher pay, smaller classes, mentoring and better professional development for teachers in addition to better school buildings. On Social Security, the vice president supports using part of the budget surplus to make up most of the 30 percent shortfall predicted for after 2034. On health care, he is for the Patients' Bill of Rights. He supports standing by the Medicare commitment to senior citizens and extending it to provide relief for prescription drug costs.

• Republican George W. Bush of Texas is the son of former president George Bush. In a letter to the AFT, he declined to spell out his positions on the specific issues of interest to AFT members. "The time will come for position papers and 10-point plans," he said. "When that time comes, I will offer a clear vision based on my core conservative principles of limited government, local control, strong families and personal responsibility." A few days before he announced his presidential candidacy, Bush made a rare (and unsuccessful) appeal on the floor of the Texas Senate for a state voucher program. He has also pushed for more charter schools. Two years ago, he refused to sign a Texas version of the Patients' Bill of Rights but let it become law without his signature. Four years ago, he vetoed a tougher bill. The legislature passed it over his veto. He has, however, worked with the Texas Legislature to institute reading programs and policies ending social promotion.

• Former Sen. Bill Bradley (D-N.J.) served in the Senate from 1979 to 1996. He consistently voted to support vouchers and tuition tax credits although otherwise he had a generally pro-education, pro-labor record. On the potential future shortfall in Social Security, Bradley says the most important thing America can do is to keep economic growth going so that more money will be paid into the trust fund. On health care, he is for letting doctors make treatment decisions, a key provision of the Patients' Bill of Rights.

• Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has served in the U.S. Senate since 1987. He describes himself as a Reagan Republican who wants to reduce the size of government and lower taxes. In the Senate, McCain has consistently voted for vouchers and has made them a key plank in his presidential platform. Recently he joined his Republican colleagues in defeating the Patients' Bill of Rights.

• Elizabeth Dole is a former president of the American Committee for the Red Cross. A Republican, she was a Cabinet secretary under President Bush and President Reagan and also worked for President Nixon. She is the wife of former Senate majority leader and presidential candidate Bob Dole. She supports vouchers. She also says she has "refused to join those who often find it expedient to turn teachers into rhetorical punching bags." In her exploratory committee announcement speech, Dole attacked high taxes, low defense spending and drug abuse.

• Steve Forbes, CEO and editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine, is running as an ultraconservative alternative to George W. Bush in the Republican primaries. Senate Republicans tried to avoid unpopular votes against the Patients' Bill of Rights, but Forbes loudly proclaimed his opposition. He proposes eliminating both the estate tax and the capital gains tax, substituting personal retirement accounts for Social Security and medical savings accounts for Medicare. He is also a strong advocate of vouchers.

The issues

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