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Tuesday, November 25, 1997

Gore stumps for Houston mayoral candidate Lee Brown

By MICHAEL GRACZYK Associated Press Writer

HOUSTON (AP) - Vice President Al Gore stumped Monday for Houston mayoral candidate Lee Brown, calling the former Clinton administration drug czar someone who can bring the city together and continue its progress.

Gore's appearances were primarily to fatten the campaign treasury of Brown, who faces Houston businessman Rob Mosbacher in a runoff election Dec. 6. Each man hopes to succeed three-term Mayor Bob Lanier, who can't run again because of term limits.

The most recent published polls show Brown with a slight lead over Mosbacher, with about 10 percent of voters undecided.

"What you have here before you in Lee Brown is an experienced leader who has made a difference as a cop on the beat, as a leader in cities in this nation and as a cabinet member responsible and part of the team for one of the greatest success stories in economic development and reduction in crime in the whole history of the United States of America," Gore told more than 100 people who paid $1,000 apiece to hear his brief remarks.

Then he left to have lunch at an inner-city cafe, where he went through the food line with a couple of Democratic congressmen and state legislators from Houston, Texas Democratic Party chief Bill White and a few others. Gore picked up the tab for the entourage, plunking down $40 at the end of the line.

He took no questions from reporters during his three-hour visit and staffers persisted in keeping reporters away, except for photographing him.

During his brief remarks, he touted Brown for his integrity, honesty and commitment to excellence in public service. He also cited Brown as someone who solved problems during stints as police chief in Houston, New York City and Atlanta, and as the Clinton administration's drug czar.

Gore's appearance added a partisan stamp to a race that is supposed to be non-partisan.

Last week, outgoing Mayor Lanier lamented what he said was an "unhealthy" drift toward partisanship in the city's political races, although he termed Gore's visit a fair attempt to present the Democratic side. Lanier, who has not endorsed Brown or Mosbacher, was at Houston's Ellington Field to welcome the vice president Monday morning.

Brown defended Gore's presence, saying he considered the vice president a friend and a former colleague who he called for help.

"And I think that's an appropriate thing to do," Brown said.Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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