Gore, Bush Campaign in Each Other's Strongholds

Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore and his Republican rival George W. Bush on Wednesday intensified their campaigns by attacking each other's strongholds in bid to consolidate their gains in these battleground states.

Vice President Gore arrived in Florida from California on Wednesday following his second overnight flight in 24 hours. He first held a meeting with seniors on social security issue in Kissimmee and then went to Tampa for a rally in a bid to grab the crucial 25 electoral votes of the southern state.

Texas Governor Bush had long been expected to capture Florida because his younger brother Jeb Bush is the governor of the state.

But Gore has managed to make big strides in the state in recent months, thanks in part to some of his proposals backed by the state's big elderly population.

Bush counterattacked by campaigning in Minnesota, a state with 10 electoral votes that has not gone Republican in any presidential election since 1972.

The state is up for grabs now partly due to a strong showing for Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader.

Nader is believed to attract some votes which would otherwise go to Gore.



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