Gore sneers at convention 'show without facts'

By Mike Glover/Associated Press

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Al Gore, preparing the most important speech of his life, is cramming it with detailed proposals for the future and counting on the voters to welcome that approach because "the people of the country want the facts."

"People who want the facts will get them in this speech," Gore said in an interview with The Associated Press. "If you want show without facts then, you know, that can be found somewhere else."

Gore also said if he won in November, he likely would feel free to consult with President Clinton. He also said he would bring "the highest values" to the White House.

The vice president was on the campaign trail headed toward the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles where he will accept his party's nomination in a speech Thursday night.

Gore said he was writing it himself for a simple reason: "I want it to be from my heart."

That speech will be crammed with substance, spelling out his plans on tax cuts and Social Security, he said.

"It is a gamble but it doesn't worry me because I think in the final analysis the people of the country want the facts," Gore said. "They deserve to know what the specifics are so they can judge for themselves."

Gore said he will also spell out how his ideas differ from those offered by his Republican rival, George W. Bush.

"I will draw a sharp contrast between my proposals and those of Governor Bush," said Gore. "It's an important speech politically, but what's important is what the American people get out of it."

While drawing distinctions, Gore argued that his speech will stick to differences on the issues.

"It will be a positive speech. I will not criticize my opponent," said Gore. "Ninety percent of the speech will be a positive presentation of the proposals I'm making."

As Gore was making his way to Los Angeles, he acknowledged that his nominating convention was his biggest chance to date to define himself with many voters who haven't followed politics and know him only as vice president.

Carving out a distinct identity hasn't been difficult, he said, but has taken time.

"I think it's a natural process that has evolved over the final year," said Gore. "It reaches a crescendo at the time of the convention and after the convention."

Should he win the White House, Gore said he wouldn't rule out asking Clinton for advice.

"If I think there is a subject where he can contribute advice then, of course, along with President Carter, who I talked to just the other day," said Gore.

One staple of Bush's stump speech is a pledge to restore "honor and integrity" to the White House -- a veiled reference to Clinton's relationship with a White House intern -- and Gore was asked how he could assure voters of his conduct in office.

The vice president described himself as "devoted to my faith and my family" and pointed to his quarter-century of work in public office, saying, "I have done it according to the highest values and I will continue to do that."

He described his relationship with Clinton as "excellent" and said it includes at least limited socializing.

"When you say social friends, we work so hard that the social occasions we share are often related to the work," said Gore. "Sometimes we've gone out to a music club or out to dinner, just the two couples."

Clinton resurrected the traumatic issue in recent days, arguing that voters shouldn't hold Gore responsible. While Bush has called on Gore to repudiate Clinton, the vice president said the Texas governor is missing the point.

"I think he is trying to make a campaign about something the American people don't want the campaign to be about," said Gore. "I think the American people want this campaign to be about the future and about the issues and what we can do for them. It's not about George Bush or Al Gore or Joe Lieberman or Dick Cheney or Bill Clinton."

Gore argued that he will gain by focusing on issues because voters will demand that as they begin paying attention to the campaign.

"It's about the American people. That's what I'm going to be talking about in my speech," said Gore. "The American people see this election as a chance to shape the future. Anybody who doubts that underestimates the seriousness of purpose people bring to this election."

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