November 15, 1999
Web posted at: 6:07 p.m. EST (2307 GMT)

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Underscoring California's pivotal role in the presidential nominating process, Vice President Al Gore spent the course of the entire last weekend campaigning throughout the expansive state, presenting himself as a populist fighter for working families.

Gore has seen value in making an early push through the Golden State, which will send scores of delegates to the Democratic National Convention in August, and whose large percentage of well-to-do potential supporters could offer the vice president perhaps millions of dollars in campaign aid.

Gore speaks to supporters Saturday

"When able-minded, able-bodied men are unemployed in the community, it is not supposed to be that way," Gore shouted during one weekend campaign stop. "When children are scared in school of gunshots, it is not supposed to be that way."

As he stumped throughout the state Saturday and Sunday, Gore managed to deftly handle the odd disruptions presented by hecklers, without breaking from the issues dear to California's 33 million people -- tougher gun control, abortion rights and the environment.

"This is a meeting for the community. Let's hear it for the First Amendment, ladies and gentlemen," Gore responded when confronted by a heckler who derided the Clinton Administration's attention to AIDS treatment for African-Americans.

Such criticism notwithstanding, Gore is drumming up support among core Democratic constituencies in the state, specifically African, Asian and Latino Americans. And, he is working to cement his credibility in technology-rich Silicon Valley.

In doing so, Gore is tapping California like it's a veritable ATM machine. He has attended a number of star-studded fundraisers, including a gala in Malibu on Sunday.

In addition, Gore beat ex-basketball star and rival Bill Bradley to the air in California. His campaign recently unveiled a California-friendly television advertising spot in which the vice president pledges to keep the state's shoreline pristine.

"I'll not only continue the moratorium on new ocean drilling off California's coast and Florida's, but I'll move to stop drilling in areas already leased by previous administrations," Gore says in the ad.

Gore shares a podium with California Gov. Gray Davis

Gore isn't only seeking to pad his campaign coffers. His early run through the West is strategically tied to 2000's condensed primary season. California's primary is scheduled for March 7, and the Gore camp plans to move aggressively to add more advertisements to television rotations throughout the state.

"California is our largest state," Gore said in an interview. "It is always crucial when our country makes a choice about the future, and now that California has moved way up on the calender, its role can scarcely be exaggerated. It's extremely important. I've made almost 60 visits here in the last few years."

Recent circumstance has given the vice president cause for hope. California's Democratic Governor Gray Davis unseated a Republican who ran well ahead in the polls in 1998 -- as GOP front-runner George W. Bush is doing right now in the California.

"George Bush, whatever his skills and accomplishments, will not carry California. You can take to that to the bank," Davis said.

Monday, November 15, 1999

• Trump flirts with campaign in namesake fashion
• Gore makes tracks across California
• Des Moines Register: McCain resists joining Iowa fray
• Former Clinton Cabinet member endorses Bradley
• Age gap could help McCain among Republicans
• After months of ignoring each other, Gore, Bradley go negative
• Documents show lawmakers, White House trigger audits of foes
• DeLay cancels 'Face the Nation' appearance
• In new book, Bush says he was interested in Vietnam duty
• Indians warily watching Bush, hope to educate him
• Businessman, state senator face off in California runoff
• Vice president proposes $2 billion effort to expand park lands
• Supreme Court to review ban on student prayers at football games
• Clinton backs Turkish membership in EU
• Electioneering puts nation's prosperity in spotlight

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