Gore Steps Up Criticism of Bradley

PORTLAND, Maine — Vice President Al Gore dared Bill Bradley to “throw caution to the wind” and accept his challenge to biweekly debates in their increasingly tight battle for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Gore stepped up his criticism of Bradley, accusing the former senator of crafting an “ill-considered” health care plan and of quitting politics when congressional Democrats most needed foot soldiers.

“I’ve never turned my back on the Democratic Party. I’ve never been tempted to resign the party or run as an independent,” Gore said in reference to Bradley’s resignation from the Senate in 1996, two years after Republicans took control of Congress. “I never backed away from a tough fight, such as when [Newt] Gingrich and his forces took over the Congress. I stayed and fought, and I fought hard.”