March 15, 1999
Web posted at: 11:57 a.m. EST (1657 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 15) -- Vice President Al Gore secured the endorsement Monday of House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt in a sign that top Democrats would like to settle the presidential nomination early and focus on winning in November 2000.

Gephardt, who decided last month that he would not seek the presidency himself, announced his endorsement in Manchester, New Hampshire -- the first stop on Gore's first official political trip of his presidential campaign.

House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt endorsed Vice President Al Gore for president Monday

"I'm here today because I want to make my fight putting Al Gore in the presidency of the United States," Gephardt told a boisterous rally of 400 activists. "We would all be proud to have him as president of the United States."

With a row of American flags as a backdrop, Gore replied in kind: "We are going to make Dick Gephardt the next speaker of the House of Representatives."

Gore was headed next to Iowa and St. Louis, Missouri, Gephardt's hometown, before returning to Washington late Monday night. "I'm going to be back early and often," Gore promised the New Hampshire rally in a cramped auditorium. A huge banner read: "New Hampshire welcomes the next president of the United States."

Gephardt would have been a formidable rival for the nomination but decided to instead focus his attention on recapturing the House for the Democrats. The 1998 midterm election gains by the Democrats encouraged the minority leader that it was possible to take back the speaker's gavel in 2000.

"It's huge," Gore spokesman Chris Lehane said of the endorsement. "Obviously, having Congressman Gephardt's support is very welcome. The unity that this is going to bring to our effort will be extremely helpful."

Gore's only announced opponent for the nomination is former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley, although civil-rights activist Jesse Jackson is considering the race. Opting out in recent weeks in addition to Gephardt were three senators who could have offered stiff challenges.

Monday, March 15, 1999

• Medicare showing its age at 40
• Public opinion does not side with most proposed Medicare reforms
• Former potential foe Gephardt will endorse Gore
• Poll: Gore gets high marks on issues, character but lags behind other candidates
• Forbes expected to launch candidacy this week
• 2000 Senate races heating up
• Sen. Chafee announces retirement
• Los Angeles' pitch for DNC 2000 convention may have paid off
• Testimony resumes in McDougal trial
• Clinton tops poll on foreign policy
• McCain slams Clinton policies in speech on geopolitics
• Sununu co-chairing Quayle campaign
• Report: New Jersey gov. to run for Senate
• Sen. Mack makes retirement official
• Parties fight for control of House

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