Gore says Bush peddling fear for sake of politics

Former Vice President Al Gore told college students last night that the Bush administration is ''using fear as a political tool'' unworthy of the presidency.

''For the president of the United States to claim in a television ad that those who disagreed with the decision to go to war with Iraq are against attacking terrorists is a disgrace,'' said Gore, who lost the 2000 election to President Bush.

''It is a cheap and petty political tactic not worthy of the presidency. It is something you would find in a down-and-dirty sleazy campaign for city council,'' Gore added, drawing laughs from the partisan crowd at Middle Tennessee State University.

''I'm concerned (Bush) is turning out to be a divider, not a uniter,'' Gore told MTSU students and those participating in the 90-minute discussion via satellite at about 30 colleges.

During the discussion, which centered on race and democracy, Gore said it is outrageous that some Arab-Americans have been seized and thrown into prison because one person, Bush, has decided they are enemy combatants.