Looking for a Washington state win, Bradley steps up attacks on Gore

Gore campaign bites back

February 24, 2000
Web posted at: 5:54 p.m. EST (2254 GMT)

SEATTLE, Washington (CNN) -- With less than a week before the campaign for the presidency heads into the primary-heavy month of March, Democratic hopeful Bill Bradley is shooting for a political comeback as he stumps in Washington State Thursday.

Bradley stepped up his attacks on rival Al Gore and courted independent voters throughout the state on Thursday. The Gore campaign wasted little time in responding to Bradley's assault, as the vice president touted his record on the environment in delegate-rich New York.

"In this campaign, Al Gore is proposing that we spend more of your money on a military build-up than on education," Bradley told supporters at the University of Washington.

But while Bradley was speaking, Gore campaign operatives quickly passed out a statement saying that Bradley's "attack ads and negative campaigning" make him sound "more like a Republican every day."

Gore's Washington campaign also launched a radio ad Thursday featuring an abortion-rights leader who said she was changing her mind about Bradley.

The woman, Christina Kiehl, says in the ad: "Today I no longer support Bill Bradley because his unfair negative ads divide us at the very moment we should stand together against the real enemy, the Republican candidates who don't trust women to make responsible choices."

Responding to the ad's premise, Bradley told reporters Thursday: "Look, I don't think it's negative campaigning when you tell the truth about somebody's record."

The former New Jersey senator is in the midst of a six-day swing through the Evergreen State in preparation for the state's February 29 primary. Bradley, who has yet to win a Democratic caucus or primary, courted the independent vote.

"The independent voters of Washington are going to determine who will be the next president of the United States, and that's why we're here to compete between now and Tuesday in this campaign," Bradley told the University of Washington crowd.

Gore has a strong lead over Bradley among the state's Democrats, but the two are running nose-to-nose among independents.

Bradley has been hammering Gore over what he calls the vice president's "extremely conservative" voting record on abortion, gun control and tobacco while a member of Congress.

Bradley also called Gore the "Co-opt Kid," referring to a prescription drug plan for seniors the vice president unveiled yesterday that closely resembles a plan Bradley proposed last year. "Sometimes I think I should be humming 'Me and My Shadow,'" Bradley said.

By contrast, the former New Jersey senator compared himself to insurgent GOP candidate John McCain, saying that between himself and Gore, he is the true reformer. Gore "cannot get the reform mantle, no matter what he does, because of his involvement in the 1996 fund-raising scandals," Bradley said.

He added that McCain's surge among the electorate indicates that Americans are seeking a reformer -- "a clean, cold mountain stream" to wash away the taint of special interests.

Bradley told a crowd of cheering college students on Wednesday that it would be risky for the Democrats to run Gore against a Republican reformer like McCain. "McCain will beat him like a drum," Bradley said, adding: "I don't think he's a credible reform candidate."

Although none of the state's 75 delegates will be awarded in Washington's February 29 primary, Bradley is hoping that a strong showing there will carry him through the spate of March primaries.

"We're looking for a slingshot effect. If we win this primary or have a very, very strong showing, the Washington caucus-goers will be reluctant to reject the will of the people," said Mo Elleithee, a Bradley spokesman. "It will be a signal to California and the rest of the country that he is viable and this thing is not wrapped up."

On the stump in the Democratic bastions of Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia on Thursday, the former New Jersey senator emphasized his stance on abortion rights, the environment, campaign finance reform and education.

But state Democratic Chairman Paul Berendt, a Gore supporter, said Bradley's sole focus on the Evergreen State smacks of desperation. Most of Washington's Democratic establishment, including popular Gov. Gary Locke, favors the vice president.

"He has to win someplace or his campaign will die," said Berendt, who urged Bradley in a letter to abandon his "negative personal attacks" against Gore. "It is high risk what he's doing, but what choice does he have?"

The ever-optimistic Bradley, though, points to Washington primary victories by former so-called insurgents Gary Hart, Paul Tsongas and Jerry Brown over establishment favorites in previous years. The Rev. Jesse Jackson also did well in the state, as did Reform Party founder Ross Perot.

Gore touts record on the environment, slams GOP

Standing on the banks of the Hudson River, Vice President Al Gore said Thursday that if elected president, he would allocate $2 billion in initiatives to preserve "open spaces" and expand parkland in urban areas.

"If you entrust me with the presidency, I will not let you down," Gore said. "I will fight to protect the environment here in New York and all around the world."

Gore was in New York to accept the endorsement of the state chapter of the League of Conservation Voters, who hailed the vice president as the "only choice" for New York voters" when the state votes on March 7.

The vice president planned to spend the majority of the day in delegate-rich New York, attending events in Dobbs Ferry, New Square and New Windsor, topping the day off with a fundraiser before heading home to Washington.

Looking ahead to the general election, the vice president is mentioning his Democratic rival less and less as both national and state polls show Gore surging ahead of Bradley.

But taking aim at GOP candidates Arizona Sen. John McCain and Texas Gov. George W. Bush, Gore told the environmental crowd to remember two numbers: "zero and one."

McCain, Gore said, posted a "zero record of support for the environment in the Congress and Senate."

As for Bush, he is "number one in giving the polluters anything they want to detriment of our citizens," Gore asserted.

"I want you to know I want to welcome all the pro-environmental Republicans who will stand with me and march under my banner. I need your help," the vice president said.

On Wednesday, Gore accused the GOP candidates were courting the "extreme right wing."

South Carolina governor goes for Gore

Campaigning in South Carolina on Wednesday, the vice president picked up the long-awaited endorsement of South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges, the highest ranking Democrat in the state.

The governor's endorsement, as well as that of U.S. Rep. John Spratt, was announced during a town hall meeting in Fort Mill, where Gore outlined his education plan for a small but boisterous crowd of Democrats.

"After looking at all the candidates, he has the best plan for education," Hodges told the crowd of about 200. "I am proud to offer my endorsement to Al Gore."

The Palmetto State's Democratic primary is slated for March 9.

"The only way a national Democrat could win South Carolina is if he's a son of the South," said Hodges' former chief of staff Kevin Geddings. "Al Gore can win here if he runs as a true Tennessean."

For awhile it was unclear which candidate Hodges would endorse. On his last visit to South Carolina in March 1998, Gore briefly promoted Hodges' candidacy, then seen as a long-shot attempt to reclaim the governor's chair for Democrats. Hodges and his supporters were reportedly upset that Gore didn't do more.

As payback, when it came time for the state party's annual fund-raiser last year, Hodges asked Bradley to speak.

Generally speaking, being labeled as a Clinton-Gore supporter isn't exactly a popular mantle in the Palmetto State, and as a result Hodges has remained aloof.

"Although they agree on education, they don't agree on everything," Geddings said.

Gore has now collected the support of the entire Democratic establishment in South Carolina, with the notable exception of U.S. Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings. The senator has never been fond of the vice president and refers to him as "Prince Albert."

Cnn's Bob Franken, Chris Black and The Associated Press contributed to this report.