Gore, Lieberman Begin Campaign Marathon

Democrats Al Gore and Joseph I. Lieberman on Sunday kicked off their nonstop, round-the-clock Labor Day campaign swing through four states, saying they are doing so to pay homage to America’s working men and women.

“We’re doing it to honor your work and to focus on Labor Day what we ought to be focused on--that is, the families who are paying the bills,” the vice president told about 100 construction workers assembled at an indoor work site here.

“You’re what this campaign is all about,” Gore said. “You’re what America is all about.”

Lieberman preceded his running mate and referred to their rigorous schedule in a joke to the unionists:

“I’m beginning to think that vice presidential candidates should have collective bargaining rights!”

Gore saluted the laborers, who are building a hotel. Noting that the project is on time and on budget, Gore said: “If you want a job done right, have it done by union workers.”

After their meeting, which was preceded by a makeshift dinner at the construction site with six workers, Gore and Lieberman flew to Flint, Mich., for a late-night meeting with health care professionals at the Hurley Medical Center.

The Gore-Lieberman campaign dubbed their unusual outing the “American Workathon,” one that is meant to highlight not only the men’s advocacy of “working families” but also their vigor and determination to “not take a single vote for granted,” as Gore has often put it.

From Michigan, Gore and Lieberman, both traveling on the vice president’s Air Force Two, flew to Tampa, Fla., where they were to have breakfast early today with local firefighters.

Later, Gore and Lieberman are to split off, with Gore going to a rally in Pittsburgh while the Connecticut senator attends Detroit’s traditional Labor Day rally.

Gore plans to end his marathon stumping with a rally at the Louisville, Ky., Motor Speedway. He will stay there overnight.

On Wednesday, the vice president is scheduled to unveil an economic plan that his campaign said will include specific goals and a detailed budget plan.