Gore: Bradley Just Nibbles

Vice President Al Gore offered new details for his $50 billion preschool proposal Wednesday while dismissing rival Bill Bradley as content to "nibble around the edges" on education, farming and other issues.

Setting the stage for a one-man "debate" on farm policy at Iowa State University, Gore argued that Bradley had fought key farm proposals for years in the Senate, converting only when he decided to run for president.

Bradley retorted quickly on the farm issue, an important one in this agriculture-dependent state that holds the first nominating caucuses on Jan. 24. As the Clinton administration's No. 2 man, he said, Gore must shoulder some of the blame for the current stagnant farm economy.

"After seven years, the vice president has offered nothing more than negative attacks and distortions," Bradley said. "They have not put forward a comprehensive approach to farm policy, nor have they articulated a vision for rural America."

Bradley declined an invitation to debate Gore on farm issues Wednesday, but Gore was going ahead anyway.

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It is part of a $115 billion plan on education Gore has proposed that would also give $5,000 raises to most teachers in poor and rural areas, mandate testing of new teachers and seek to establish more charter schools.

The money would come from the nation's budget surplus, Gore said.

"If kids get off to a great start before they ever get to kindergarten, the chances for them to succeed in life, to have good jobs, to lead fulfilling lives is greatly enhanced," he said.

In an interview, he said that Bradley "continues to be fascinated" with school vouchers which Gore said would drain money from public schools. And he said the former New Jersey senator has not offered sweeping proposals on schools.

"I think it's important to have a bold plan, and I don't think you can nibble around the edges," Gore said. "I think it's the No. 1 one investment priority."

Gore rejected any suggestion that he was resorting to attack politics. "When I point out these shortcomings, I think that's what democracy ought to be all about," he said.

In addition, Gore was seeking contrast with Bradley on farm issues. Liberal farm groups had invited both Democratic candidates to the Wednesday night debate. Bradley declined, and Gore set the one-sided debate to make the argument that Bradley isn't solid on farm issues.

"I know farmers are paying attention," Gore said. "Many of them are feeling desperate."

He criticized Bradley's opposition to federal subsidies for ethanol, and he said the former senator had a poor record on other farm issues.

Bradley's campaign distributed a statement saying Gore should accept responsibility for the soft condition of the farm economy.

"For seven years the Clinton-Gore administration has presided over a farm crisis of historic proportions," Bradley said. He argued that his views had changed since the years when he represented a generally urban state in Congress.