Monster.com's latest poll, "Who has the average American worker's best interests at heart?" generated 319,240 votes, resulting in a tight race between presidential candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore. The poll inspired more than 6,300 threads of user feedback, as members voiced their opinions on the candidates' views on employment, healthcare reform, taxes and a multitude of other campaign issues.

Here's a sampling from the boards…

"George Bush understands the average American worker, because he was one. Al has been a career politician. He has never had to work a real job. He lived in Washington his entire life, under his daddy's wings, except for a short protected stint in the Army and in Vietnam (again he was protected there). George has worked in the private sector and has owned several businesses…"
- Mike Longwell

"Open your eyes. When has a Republican ever cared about the American worker? Say what you will about the current Democratic president personally, but politically this country is experiencing the best economy ever! Keep the Democratics in office and "don't change what is not broke!"
- Carrie Chandler

"What a choice! I like none of the above a lot better!"
- SP

"Gov. Bush is the candidate with the heart into preserving the rights, integrity and welfare of the average American worker … He will redistribute the taxes so that they have meaning to the average American worker … Al Gore only gives lip service to this. He takes credit for the job economy. But how many people do you know who are working below their capacity?"
- Janet

"What about his (Gore's) backstabbing the Tobacco industry? He jumped on the bandwagon of tobacco haters after his sister died, but he was more then happy to work in the industry himself before that. How two-faced can you get?"
- Michael

"Governor Bush has above all the best interest of the American people. He has a plan to put the tax dollars of the hardworking American people to good use. In his plan he has a way to cut back on taxes so the middle-class working man can put some of those hard-earned dollars back…"
- Mike

"After 12 years of Republicians in the White House and the extent of the economy during that time, I feel that the American people should see what the Democratics have accomplished since they "took over." The economy has never looked better, unemployment is low, consumers now have more 'bang for their buck' and the working class has some say in the rebuilding of a great nation.
- Len

"Gore is pathetic. In addition to taking credit for inventing the Internet, he also takes credit for the state of the economy. Clinton and Gore did NOTHING to grow the economy. The only thing they DID do that helped was keeping Greenspan…"
- Reagan Rocks

"Al Gore is for building the America workforce. His goal is to have an educated and productive society from within. He is for moving forward, educating, and producing superior products and services that are American made..."
- John Ronan

"Bush is the better choice for President. Look at his record in Texas. His concern is for workers and companies while looking toward the globalization of the country..."
- Renee

"I can't believe Bush is getting such strong support! Who do you people think is responsible for the current economic good times, the Republicans? I think not! So if you want to see a return to government for big business, increased military spending and a general slide back toward recession, vote Bush..."
- Robert McGuire

"People who responded that Bush has the Average American worker's best interests at heart are out of touch with the American Political System. While they may be George Bush supporters, it is hypocritical to say that Bush has the best interests of the "average" worker in mind..."
- Chris

"How can we as responsible Americans not elect the only man who wants to lower taxes, and HAS lowered taxes twice in Texas. Gore perpetually lies; he has become so good at it, he can't tell his own lies from the truth..."
- Jeanie