But though he was once comfortably ahead in Florida, Bush now appears to be in a tight race with Gore here even though Gov. Jeb Bush remains popular. That's why he is spending two days here this week, then coming back next week for a fundraiser in Tampa. Gore and his running mate, Joseph Lieberman, also promise that their campaign will visit Florida at least once a week between now and the Nov. 7 election. We've already succeeded in forcing George W. Bush to compete for Florida. They were taking it for granted, and I don't think they're doing that anymore.
Republicans acknowledge they are in for a fight.
One feature remained the same. As he does at almost every stop, Bush introduced a family who he said would save more under his proposed tax cuts than Gore's. In Clearwater, it was Orlando and Kim Saavedra and their three children of Land O'Lakes. But at Top of the World, Bush returned to a community forum format that has been missing in action since the primaries. He answered questions on issues ranging from prescription drugs to education and the environment.