Gore tells Kerry ahead of debates it's time to hold Bush "to account"

[mrmatas2277]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - President George W. Bush (news - web sites) has a record in office and the upcoming debates "represent a time to hold him to account", former vice president Al Gore (news - web sites) advised Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites).

In the New York Times Gore, who lost by the narrowest of margins to Bush in 2000, also warns the Massachusetts senator ahead of the first televised presidential debate on Thursday not to underestimate his rival: "Be prepared for the toughest debates of your career.

"While George Bush (news - web sites)'s campaign has made 'lowering expectations' into a high art form, the record is clear -- he's a skilled debater who uses the format to his advantage," said Gore.

Rather than have a debating duel, Gore said Kerry would be better off targeting Bush's record as a president.

"And therein lies the true opportunity for John Kerry -- because notwithstanding the president's political skills, his performance in office amounts to a catastrophic failure. And the debates represent a time to hold him to account," Gore said.

"The debates aren't a time for rhetorical tricks," he added. "It's a time for an honest contest of ideas. Mr Bush's unwillingness to admit any mistakes may score him style points. But it makes hiring him for four more years too dangerous a risk.

"Stubbornness is not strength; and Mr Kerry must show voters that there is a distinction between the two," Gore said.

Bush and Kerry are scheduled to meet Thursday for 90 minutes at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida to square off on foreign policy and homeland security.

They will meet again on October 8 at Washington University in the midwestern city of St. Louis, Missouri, to discuss all topics, and hold a final encounter on domestic and economic issues on October 13 at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.