Gore says death penalty moratoriums sometimes needed

MINNEAPOLIS - Al Gore interjected himself Wednesday into the death-penalty maelstrom surrounding Republican rival George W. Bush, saying a moratorium on executions is the right thing for states where criminal-justice errors abound.

Gore was careful to add, ''I do not know the record in Texas.''

Instead, he used the example of Illinois, where Republican Gov. George Ryan has temporarily halted executions, citing 13 death row inmates in his state who were cleared since 1977.

''Any state that has that kind of horrible record ought to have a moratorium,'' Gore told reporters on his campaign plane. ''I do not have detailed knowledge of what the actual record is in Texas.''

It was the first time Gore, a supporter of the death sentence, has talked about the issue in such stark terms.

Earlier, while campaigning in Des Moines, Gore criticized Bush's tax-cut and Social Security plans as only good for the wealthy.

In Minneapolis, he was spending time with Gov. Jesse Ventura, a populist politician who has become chummy with the vice president.

On the way to Minnesota, under a volley of questions from reporters, Gore said the goal of all sides in the death penalty debate should be getting the error rate ''down to the virtual zero point.''

''If you are honest about the debate you have got to acknowledge there are always going to be some small number of errors,'' he said.

Texas Gov. Bush has been dogged by protesters over the last several days while campaigning in California and as his state prepares to execute Gary Graham on Thursday. Graham, convicted largely on the testimony of one eye witness, has become a rallying point for death penalty opponents who say many murder defendants don't get fair trials.

Bush defended his state's legal system as ''fair and just'' on Wednesday and said he saw no need for a moratorium.

''As far as I'm concerned there has not been one innocent person executed since I've become governor,'' he told reporters.

Since Bush took office 5 years ago, 134 inmates have been executed in Texas. The governor said he analyzed each capital case that reached his desk to ensure fairness.

Because Graham already received a temporary reprieve from Bush's predecessor, the governor has no power to spare his life unless the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles recommends a pardon, a reprieve or commutation of his sentence.

At a Des Moines union hall, Gore appealed to blue-collar workers by saying only the wealthy would gain from Bush's proposals.

''This is the choice in this election,'' Gore said. ''Are you for working people?''

Making his arguments with charts and testimonials, Gore said Bush's tax cut and retirement plans would bankrupt Social Security and harm middle-class Americans.

Gore, instead, proposes savings accounts to augment Social Security. He warned that ''Governor Bush has proposed a plan that's very different'' and ''doesn't work very well for working families.''

In California, Bush defended his Social Security plan, saying it would allow younger workers to divert some of their Social Security taxes to private investments for a higher return.

''That's really important to make sure the system survives,'' Bush said.

Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer said the plan was better for low-income workers, who wouldn't be able to put away the savings needed to receive government matching funds under Gore's plan.

Gore also proposed a targeted estate tax cut, aimed at small businesses and farmers.

Currently, farms and businesses valued at $2.6 million or less aren't subject to inheritance taxes. Gore would raise that threshold to $5 million, and said 90 percent of the nation's farmers and 70 percent of small businesses would be exempt.

While Bush and other Republicans have called for elimination of the inheritance tax, Gore said that would be little more than a gift to the wealthy.

In Minnesota, Gore was attending a horse show featuring Ventura's daughter, Jade, who has a learning disability and has used riding as therapy. Gore was to focus on special education during a school event Thursday.

Gore and Ventura are as different in public style as possible. While Gore is often labeled stiff, Ventura is one of the country's most colorful and unpredictable public figures.

Their relationship started with a breakfast earlier this year, followed by dinner and some socializing between the two couples. Ventura says they simply hit it off, and it doesn't bother him if Gore benefits from their association.

''I just find Al and Tipper very nice,'' Ventura told the Minneapolis Star Tribune in an interview published Wednesday. ''If he is using whatever relationship we have for something in the campaign, that's his prerogative. He's out to become the president. He's going to do what it takes to win.''