Gore Raises Funds in South Florida

Al Gore returned to Florida to speak at a Democratic fund-raiser Wednesday, the first anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that ended his quest for the White House.

It was the former vice president’s first visit to South Florida since last year’s election debacle unfolded there.

Gore was filling in for Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, who stayed in Washington while the Senate remained in session.

The overtime 2000 election concluded when Gore conceded Dec. 13, a day after the high court stopped recounts of disputed ballots in Florida.

Gore made his first postelection trip to Florida in May, when he spoke at a travel industry conference in Orlando. His appearance Wednesday was his first fund-raising foray into the state since his loss to President Bush.

The event was held at the neighboring homes of lawyer Chris Korge and businessman Stuart Cauff in the Miami suburbs. It was expected to raise $500,000 for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

“He’s taking the opportunity to meet with people who helped him and say thank you,” said Korge, who helped organize the $5,000-per-person event.

Gore, still sporting his postelection beard, met privately with supporters before the evening reception, which was closed to the media. About 25 supporters and demonstrators gathered outside Korge’s home.

“If all the votes were counted, he would be our president,” said Vilma Fox, holding a Gore/Lieberman campaign sign.

While keeping a low profile since the election, Gore has formed a political action committee and appeared at fund-raisers in Iowa and New Hampshire. Associates said he has not decided whether to run for president in 2004.