Gore visits Labor Day picnic in St. Paul.
Jon Gordon, 9/2/96

After his State Fair appearance, the Vice President spoke to a crowd of several thousand at a Labor Day picnic sponsored by the St Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon reports.

Al Gore chose the Twin Cities as his first solo campaign stop after the Democratic National Convention. This event...like all others Gore will attend between now and November...have dual purposes: to whip up support for Clinton-Gore '96...and for a likely Gore run at the presidency in 2000. Rita Updike of the Unite Union ...made up of textile workers...likes the idea of a Gore Presidency to start the new millenium.

BITE #1: :23 Rita Walker of White Bear Lake "Al Gore would make a good president......with Al Gore."

Walker says Gore takes the right stance on important labor issues such as education, job creation, the minimum wage, and the environment.

Teresa O'Neill of West St Paul sold Al Gore buttons under the shade of a makeshift tent on Harriet Island. She says they went like hotcakes...

BITE #2: :45 Teresa O'Neill of West St Paul "Oh the Al Gore buttons......how the Macarena goes, hah."

But for some, talking about Gore or any other candidate for 2-000 is premature. Emil Trettel ... a retired NSP worker ... can't say whether he'd support a Gore ticket.

BITE #3: :10 Emil Trettel of St. Paul "You know 'cuz it'll be......what they come up with."

Still, it was apparent that some of the picnickers were setting their sites on 2000 when they chanted "eight more years" as Gore took to the podium.

One of the chief concerns about Gore is he's too stiff to make a good candidate. But Gore showed the labor crowd he can turn it on when he wants to.

BITE #4 Al Gore " ..... Let's DO IT! Thank you.

Jon Gordon, MPR