Gore Ready to ‘Rock’ Bureaucracy : Government: Vice president will unveil plan today. Estimates say it could cut federal payroll by 252,000, save $108 billion over 5 years.

Vice President Al Gore said Monday the Administration’s “rock ‘em, sock ‘em, shake ‘em up” plan to change the federal bureaucracy will make the government work better and cost less. Government as it exists is “failing the American people,” Gore said.

The vice president, point man on the proposal to make sweeping changes in the federal government, will unveil the blueprint in a White House ceremony this morning with President Clinton at his side.

The White House estimates savings at $108 billion over five years, according to Administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. Slightly more than half the proposals require congressional approval.

The plan would eliminate 252,000 federal jobs, bringing their number below 2 million for the first time since 1966.

Layoffs, although not expected, are possible, Gore said. The White House plans to offer displaced workers buyouts, early retirements, transfers and training for other jobs.

“I think that the ground has shifted and many who are traditionally cynical about the prospect for system changes are going to be surprised by the amount of support for rock ‘em, sock ‘em, shake ‘em up, sweeping changes of this kind,” Gore said in an interview.

Many of the changes would upset labor groups and step on the toes of legislators whose influence would be diminished by changing the budget, personnel and purchasing systems they now oversee. Gore said he is ready for the backlash. “The way the government operates presently steps on the toes of the American people. We’re trying to lift that dead weight off their toes,” Gore said.

The report is the first step in a slow process.

“Any effort to change the culture of a large organization will take time, perhaps eight to 10 years,” Gore said.

After today’s announcement, the White House begins a weeklong promotional effort. Gore goes to New York on Wednesday to tape “The Late Show” with David Letterman. Clinton and Gore will travel together later in the week to publicize the report.