Gore to Give Democratic Campaigns $6.5 Million

Former Vice President Al Gore announced Wednesday that he would give $4 million in leftover campaign funds to the Democratic National Committee’s effort to defeat President Bush.

The man who narrowly lost the presidency in 2000 said in a statement that he would give the money to oppose his onetime Republican foe. He’s giving another $2.5 million to Democratic candidates for the U.S. House and Senate and for hopefuls in local races in Florida and Tennessee.

“The outcome of this election is extremely important for the future of our country and for all that America stands for,” Gore said. “I want to help John Kerry become president, and I want to help Democrats retake control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.”

The donations would be a considerable boost for Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, and the congressional campaigns. All trail their Republican opponents financially by a considerable amount, with Bush expected to spend more than $150 million in his reelection bid.

In 2000, Gore received about $70 million in public money for the general election, which he lost after the Supreme Court stopped a recount of ballots in Florida, allowing Bush to be declared the winner.

The $6.5 million comes mostly from money that Gore was allowed to maintain for legal and accounting expenses related to the taxpayer funds. Gore had used the money for his outstanding campaign expenses.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee approached Gore about a donation five months ago. His unwillingness to disperse the money had frustrated some in the party.

Donna Brazile, who managed Gore’s 2000 campaign, had suggested the money could go to a nonprofit group to study the election system or to train young people.

On Wednesday, Gore said he would give $1 million each to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and its sister panel for U.S. Senate candidates, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

A $250,000 contribution would be made to the Tennessee Democratic Party. In addition, Gore said $240,000 in his Recount Fund from the 2000 election would be donated to the Florida Democratic Party.

Gore and Kerry met Tuesday at a Cleveland hotel. Kerry on Wednesday would not discuss what he and Gore talked about or even confirm that they met.

“Was that Gore at the hotel?” Kerry coyly asked reporters on his campaign plane.

“John will be a great president for all Americans,” Gore said in his statement, “and I want to do everything I can to help him fight against the outrageous and misleading campaign being waged by the Bush-Cheney campaign.”

Rainey reported from Los Angeles, Getter from Washington.