Al Gore, Hillary Clinton Hold First Joint Campaign Appearance
ANDRIA HALL, CNN ANCHOR: The media spotlight is focusing on the Democrats once again. Presidential hopeful Bill Bradley attacked Vice President Al Gore's veracity, saying the American people want a president that tells the truth. Gore joined New York Senate candidate Hillary Clinton in a joint campaign appearance at a largely black church in Albany. CNN White House correspondent Chris Black reports.</s>CHRIS BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Bill Clinton's favorite candidates greeted one another warmly at their first encounter on the campaign trail in New York, at a church in Albany. It took an invitation from the New York Association of Black, Puerto Rican and Hispanic Legislators to bring them together on this Sunday morning. Until now, the president's partner in government and partner in life have kept a respectful distance from one another, as each tries to establish a separate political identity and move out of the president's shadow. The Clintons and Gores became close friends during a famous campaign bus trip in the summer of 1992. The first lady and vice president have played major policy roles in the Clinton administration. Both have stood by the president in good times and bad. In Albany, the allies endorse one another.</s>HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK SENATE CANDIDATE: No one in America is more qualified to lead us than our vice president.</s>AL GORE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Her voice will be heard. Her vision will make a difference. And I know that she will stand up for all of you.</s>BLACK: There were only parenthetical references to the man who brought them together, the man who was not there. Instead, the candidates are focusing on their own races and beating Republicans.</s>CLINTON: We know we cannot let down our guard or our vigilance. If we don't continue working, then we leave the field to those whose priorities are different.</s>BLACK: The vice president, preaching now, accused Republicans John McCain and George W. Bush of moral blindness for not opposing the flying of the Confederate flag in South Carolina.</s>GORE: They saw the dome and they saw the flag pole. And they looked and they looked and they looked some more, but they didn't see a symbol of injustice up there. Something's wrong. Something's wrong.</s>BLACK: Black and Hispanic voters are an important constituency for Democrats in New York. The candidates called the congregation to action, Mrs. Clinton quoting scripture, be doers of the word, and Gore an African proverb, when praying move your feet. (on camera): The Gore campaign views the joint appearance as helpful, because it raises Al Gore's profile as he prepares to debate Bill Bradley Monday night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Chris Black, CNN, New York.