From Los Angeles Times (reg required)
Bush Replays Themes That Worked in 2000 Election
By Ronald Brownstein
Times Staff Writer
February 24, 2004
WASHINGTON -- President Bush, in sharpening on Monday his case for reelection, signaled his determination to return to arguments that worked against Al Gore in 2000.
At the heart of Bush's speech at a Republican fundraiser was a determined effort to frame the 2004 election as a stark choice between more government and more individual freedom -- the same contrast he used with success against Gore in the final two months of their razor-tight race.
"The American people will decide between two visions of government: a government that encourages ownership and opportunity and responsibility, or a government that takes your money and makes your choices," Bush said.
That formulation echoed Bush's insistence in 2000 that he wanted "to empower the American people" while Gore wanted "to empower the federal government."
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-assess24feb24,1,6007600.story?coll=la-headlines-politics