Vice President Gore urges Missoula supporters to help elect Jack Mudd and Pat Williams

Vice President Al Gore urged Missoula voters to back Senate candidate Jack Mudd and U.S. Rep. Pat Williams at a campaign event in Missoula, saying control of the U.S. Senate and several national policy priorities are at stake.

The visit mattered because, Gore said, the outcome of Montana's Senate race could affect which party controls the Senate and therefore leadership of key committees that shape national policy. He framed the campaign as a choice over the economy, education and the environment and appealed for volunteers, phone calls and contributions in the final weeks before the election.

"This is a senate seat we, Democrats, can and must take back," Vice President Al Gore said, calling the Montana contest one of the races that could determine control of the Senate. He warned that a Republican takeover would shift committee chairmanships to figures he named, saying that would influence policy on foreign relations, banking, finance and energy.

Gore framed the administration's record as part of his appeal. He credited recent economic gains to administration policy and listed federal measures passed with congressional support, saying they benefit Montana families. "Instead of losing 10,000 jobs a week, we're gaining 30,000 jobs a week," Gore said, and added a national figure: "we've seen 4,300,000 new jobs created." He also cited measures by name, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, the National Service Act, Goals 2000 and the National Voter Registration Act ("motor voter"), as accomplishments he said have expanded opportunity and civic participation.

Senate candidate Jack Mudd also addressed the crowd, focusing on education and the long-term future for children. "This race is about Sierra and all the kids like her," Mudd said, describing the campaign as a debate over whether to protect natural resources and strengthen schools for future generations.

Sen. Max Baucus and Rep. Pat Williams were present and were cited by Gore as partners in efforts to balance economic growth with environmental protection. Gore described those priorities as central to the choice facing voters in Montana and the nation.

Gore urged intensive volunteer effort in the final weeks of the campaign: "For the next 44 days we have to work harder than ever before. Every dollar, every phone call, every volunteer is critical," he said. He tied those appeals to the larger stakes he described for committee control in the Senate and for future federal policy on environment and resource management.

Speakers also touched on Montana-specific themes including the state's public lands, national parks and local job creation, with Gore naming Yellowstone and Glacier national parks as priorities he associated with Montana leaders. The event mixed policy remarks with campaign appeals; no formal votes or government actions took place.

Looking ahead, Gore asked supporters to turn the event's energy into campaign activity in the weeks before the election. "We are right on the issues," he said, urging the crowd to organize and vote.