Gore also lamented a Congress which acts "as if it were entirely subservient to the executive branch."  "Oversight is almost unknown in the Congress today," he stated. 

Gore said that, "It is time to breathe new life into America's democracy."  He outlined five steps to protect the Constitution: the Attorney General should appoint a special counsel; new whistleblower protections should be introduced for members of the executive branch; both Houses of Congress should hold hearings; the Patriot Act extensions should not be approved until safeguards are ensured; and any telecommunications companies that have been providing private information without a warrant should immediately stop.

The Liberty Coalition and the American Constitution Society sponsored Gore's speech on "Restoring the Rule of Law."  Many members of the progressive organization MoveOn.org attended.  The conservative former Congressman Bob Barr had been scheduled to introduce Gore from a remote location but the hookup failed.

RNC Press Secretary Tracey Schmitt responded to the speech thusly: "Al Gore's incessant need to insert himself in the headline of the day is almost as glaring as his lack of understanding of the threats facing America.  While the President works to protect Americans from terrorists, Democrats deliver no solutions of their own, only diatribes laden with inaccuracies and anger."