Sleeper In The City Of Angels

What a difference a week makes.

Last week, the New York City debate between the two Democrats in the race for the White House resembled a prize fight. But at Wednesday night's debate in Los Angeles, the only subject Bill Bradley and Al Gore seemed to fight over was who agreed with whom more.

After weeks of attacking the vice president's record, Bill Bradley morphed into a conciliator and cheerleader - for Gore and the Democratic Party. And for his part, Gore said he agreed with Bradley many times.

"I do condemn the language that he used," said Gore. But added "He is undeniably a person to whom some people in the city look to as a spokesperson…I would not be so quick to completely dismiss what he has to say . . ."

"The real question here is how the voiceless get a voice," Bradley said. "It sometimes takes someone that rubs a part of the population the wrong way . . . I view his activities in that light."

They agreed on abortion and Supreme Court justices, on campaign finance reform, on a small role for government regulation of the Internet.

The only real spat came more than an hour into the debate, when Los Angeles Times national correspondent Ron Brownstein asked Bradley why he no longer took offense at parts of Gore's voting record in Congress.

Bradley seemed willing to forgive and forget. "You run for president, your public record is important. It defines who you are. He has evolved."

Gore stepped up to defend his pro-choice stands and vowed to "take on the NRA."

Bradley then expressed concern that Gore's vote as a Senator to support tax-exempt schools would hurt him when the vice president tried to attack Republicans, namely Texas Gov. George W. Bush, for visiting Bob Jones University.

"I'm sorry you brought that up again," replied Gore. "Bob Jones University still doesn't have it's tax exemption…because of the law I supported. If you want to go back 20 years, we can talk about the Reagan-Bush budget cuts again, becaue that was the same year."

Bradley responded, " The point is you might have voted for the underlying bill…but this was an amendment (to the bill). That's why the (Congressional) Black Caucus uniformly opposed it."

The Gloves Stay On The final debate looks like a truce

Throughout the debate, the candidates appeared to be turning their fire away from each other - and towards the Republicans. Al Gore described the GOP as becoming increasingly "hostile" and in a "massive identity crisis."

Surprisingly, Gore was more generous with John McCain, who might be a tougher competitor in the November because of his popularity with some Democrats. Gore commended McCain on campaign finance reform, until Bradley subtly reminded him that McCain's plan doesn't go far enough.

"McCain and I don't agree on this," said Bradley. "He only wants to do away with soft money."

The only awkward moment in the evening arose when Bradley was asked how long he intended to stay in the race.

Bradley - who has yet to win a Democratic presidential primary or caucus - insisted that Super Tuesday is "take-off day" for him.

And minutes before the debate, Gore snagged an endorsement from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who urged the two rivals to come together.

The L.A. debate proved that Bill Bradley's presence has made Gore a stronger candidate, but only when the former New Jersey Senator is on the attack. For most of the mild debate, Gore appeared stiffer, more professorial. He laced his answers with references to James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.

Gore backslided a bit into his habit of rattling off accomplishments as though he were reading his resume. Frequently, he cited when he had approved legilation or suggested an idea long before someone else.

Ironically, one of the vice president's best moments was when he admitted his eagerness to take credit. When an audience member asked him what mistake he learned from the most, Gore quipped, "Claiming that I invented the Internet."

Bradley would probably agree.