Uncle Ralphie is on an angry, destructive anti-Gore mission. Look where Gore's in deepest jeopardy - Pennsylvania down by 16 points, Michigan down by 12, Illinois by seven. Those are Big Labor states where Nader creates mischief. If Gore can't win those Democratic bastions, he can write his Nov. 7 concession speech. That's where Dick Gephardt would be Gore's fireman.
Nobody has stronger credentials with labor.
Across the blue-collar belt from New Jersey to the Midwest, his heresy isn't forgotten by hard hats. He'd be torn about accepting if Gore called. Gephardt knows Dems are six seats away from reclaiming the U.S. House, restoring his pre-Gingrich glory as Majority Leader. But yes, his House Democratic flock would howl betrayal if Gephardt deserted them for the Gore ticket. Gephardt's their champion fund-raiser.