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CNN Live Saturday

Al Gore Speaks to Florida Democrats

Aired April 13, 2002 - 12:33   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: On to Florida now, where former Vice President Al Gore has been addressing people there in Central Florida during a Democratic convention. And that's where our Judy Woodruff is now as well, also watching the development there -- Judy.

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Fredricka.

Yes, I am here in Orlando, Florida, where if you didn't know any better, you might think this was a presidential election year. Of course it's not. But Al Gore, the defeated Democratic nominee for president in 2000, has just finished making his first major political speech since he was defeated. He's come out and told these Florida Democrats that in a time of war, even at a time when there is united fighting the war on terrorism, it is still something that they must do, and that is speak up for the issues that they disagree with the president.

At one point, Al Gore said -- he cited back something Winston Churchill said during World War II in 1943, when he said, "even during a time of war, we must speak up for what we believe in."

Here's what Al Gore said a few moments ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AL GORE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT: I'm tired of this right wing side sidewind. I've had it. America's economy is suffering unnecessarily, important American values are being trampled, special interests are calling the shots, and it sometimes seems as if, in the words of the poet, "the best lack all conviction and the worst are full of passionate intensity." If you agree with me, then stand up with conviction for what we believe in and fight for it!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WOODRUFF: So, Fredricka, the former vice president dishing out some red meat. He spelled out his differences with the Bush administration, poked fun at their policies on Social Security, on the budget, on taxes, on the environment.

The bottom line, though, he is now just one of several Democrats who are thinking about running for president in 2004. He's not the only Democrat speaking. John Edwards, the senator from North Carolina, spoke here earlier this morning. These Democrats from Florida will also be hearing from John Kerry, the senator from Massachusetts, and tomorrow from Joe Lieberman. So the Democratic race is very much up in the air, but this is one fired-up group of Democrats.

I'm in Orlando, back to you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Judy, it looked like Al Gore himself was something, but nothing definitively coming from him as to if indeed he will be running?

WOODRUFF: No. He -- he -- they are still being very coy. And I think they mean it when they say he has not absolutely decided. But I think you have to say that after this, all the signs point to the fact that he would love to make another run for president.

These were not the words of somebody who is a casual bystander. He is passionately interested, and we have to say there was more excitement in his voice than in any of the other few outings where he's made speeches and where he has addressed the president's policy.

WHITFIELD: And he, indeed, looked passionate there. All right. Thanks very much, Judy Woodruff from Central Florida.

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