Gore's daughter hints she might seek office

Karenna Gore Schiff

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Karenna Gore Schiff, the eldest daughter of former vice president Al Gore, hinted Thursday that she might follow in her father's footsteps and seek political office.

"I really love grassroots politics," she said in an interview with CNN. "I care a lot about issues that other people do: environmental protection and health care and education. And it was such a privilege to be able to talk about those things out on the campaign trail in 2000. So I don't know if I'll be a candidate, but it is something that I wouldn't rule out."

Schiff said she would most likely run in New York where she now lives. "I do feel like it's home," she said. "When I vote I vote on the basis of New York issues, and I support local candidates in our city and in our state. So I feel politically oriented to New York right now."

Schiff, 28, emerged as an important adviser in her father's 2000 presidential campaign. Married to a doctor, she is also the mother of two young children.

Since conceding that race, Gore has given no firm indication that he intends to run again, but Schiff said she would enthusiastically support another Gore candidacy.

"I would be very supportive and very excited if he chose to run again," she said. "I think he's been a really strong voice in this country. He's been a great patriot, and he's really stood for unity at this time in the wake of the terrorist attacks. But he also has really stood up to say we need smarter economic policies, we need environmental protection."

On NBC's "Today" show Gore's wife, Tipper, said her husband will decide by the end of the year whether he will launch another bid for the White House.

She spoke about her consideration of a U.S. Senate race in Tennessee, which she has decided not to pursue.

Mrs. Gore said she was concerned that if she ran and lost, she might hurt her husband if he runs for president in 2004. "It was one of many factors," she said.