Vice President Al Gore spoke of promoting education, the economy and the macarena Friday. Gore was greeted on the Oval by cheers from a crowd of approximately 11,000 people and the sound of the Ohio State Marching Band.”This kind of enthusiasm tells me one of two things,” Gore said before performing the popular dance. “Either you’re missing class or you’ve heard about my dancing.”Speaking seriously, Gore addressed the crowd about the importance of education and financial aid.”In the future it’s obvious what you earn will depend upon what you learn,” Gore said.The Clinton Administration has established the direct lending program and expanded the Pell Grant and Head Start programs, he said. The direct lending program eliminates banks from the student loan process allowing students easier access to loans.”Your access to education is that key to building that bridge to the 21st century that President Clinton and I have been talking about,” Gore said. “That’s where our future lies. We’re investing more in your educational experience.”Sixty-seven percent of the student body at OSU relies on student loans, Gore said.Gore criticized the Republican Party for having what he called a “you’re on your own” philosophy about education.Republicans want to restrict access to student loans and voted against work study programs, he said.Josh Kibbey, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering, said Democrats are not concentrating enough on reducing the deficit.”I think he’s (Gore) taking the short side of looking at things,” Kibbey said. “He didn’t say what he wanted to do for America. He just said he wanted to be here for four more years.”Gore said Clinton has proposed tax cuts aimed at middle-class families and a tax exemption for families that have children in college.”No American family should be taxed on money that pays for college tuition,” Gore said.Unemployment is down 20 percent and the deficit has gone down 60 percent every year since Clinton took office, he said.”We’re not talking about moving to the right or to the left, but to the future,” Gore said.