Politics

A Time Of Transition

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

November 29, 2001 / 3:46 PM EST / CBS

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore reiterated his support for President George W. Bush in the war against terrorism Thursday and thanked Nigeria for backing Bush's campaign.

"In the aftermath of the trauma my country had experienced on Sept. 11 -- although I do not have the privilege of speaking for my entire country -- I think I can thank Nigeria for standing with us against terrorism," Gore said in a lecture to the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, a rare international public appearance since he left office in January.

Gore narrowly lost the 2000 presidential election.

"This has been a time of transition for me and it hasn't been easy," he admitted.

"For example, there are usually a lot of cars on the road. Now it takes a lot longer to get around, and given that I haven't driven for eight years, I'm not sure it's wise (to drive)," said Gore, who was driven in a limousine while he was vice president.

He also told the capacity crowd that he had started a new family enterprise in his home state.

"We have started a family restaurant in Tennessee and we are running it ourselves. It is a low-cost restaurant," he said. "I am also a visiting professor or VP for short."

Spokesmen in the United States were not immediately available to provide further details.

Gore, who became a vice chairman for U.S. investment firm Metropolitan West Financial Inc earlier this month, said playing with his grandchildren has become another priority since leaving office.