Bore Gore digs moral ground

Enthusiastic supporters greeted Gore in Carthage, a tiny Tennessee town where he was born, and a country western band warmed up the crowd, underscoring the candidate8217;s southern roots and the traditional values he is seeking to promote.

8220;It is our own lives we must master if we are to have moral authority to guide our children,8221; he said.

Gore, 51, also took credit for the boom economy which has buoyed Clinton, but his references to the 8220;moral deficit8221; in America were widely viewed as a bid to distance himself from the President8217;s affair with Monica Lewinskythat led to his impeachment last year.

Gore8217;s announcement was accompanied by a media blitz aimed at boosting the visibility of the Vice-President, whose reputation as a dull policy wonk has raised concerns about his viability as a candidate.

In several of these interviews, Gore denounced Clinton8217;s conduct in harsh terms. 8220;I think that what he did was inexcusable,8221; he told ABC, indicating that Clinton had lied to him and he felt uncomfortable with the way the scandal was handled. 8220;The impression that he gave me and the others that he worked with was not the truth,8221; Gore said.