Gore: Bush 'racing in the wrong direction' on economy

WASHINGTON -- Al Gore said Wednesday that President Bush is lost in an economic wilderness, "racing in the wrong direction" while critical domestic issues are drowned out by international affairs in the final weeks of the midterm campaign.

Gore, considering whether to challenge Bush in 2004, said the president should focus as intently on the faltering economy as he has on foreign affairs.

Bush, in a fundraising appearance Wednesday night, sought to show his concern about -- and agenda for -- the economy.

"I worry about people who have lost value in their 401(k)s. I worry about people looking for but can't find work. I worry about uncertainty," Bush said in Baltimore. "I want to assure you we will not rest until people can find work. I look forward to working on ways to create the environment for economic expansion. I want to work to make America more confident about our future."

In his second speech in about a week harshly criticizing the Bush administration, the former vice president called for a short-term stimulus program that would include extended unemployment benefits and help for small businesses "to jolt the U.S. economy out of stagnation." He also suggested the replacement of some on the Bush economic team.

"We've got an election five weeks from now and a lot of the most important issues don't seem to be being discussed very much," Gore said at the Brookings Institution.

"America's economy is in big trouble and I'm worried our current approach is failing us," Gore said. Waiting for action by the new Congress next year could be too late, he said. "In the interim, a global recession -- or worse -- could have already taken hold."

In a lighter moment, Gore was asked why he wasn't wearing his wedding ring.

"Because I've gained so much weight I couldn't get it off," Gore said to laughter. He said he was able to remove his wedding ring, but then couldn't get it back on.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright