Gore Blasts Bush Again

Former Vice President Al Gore, returning to campaign-combat action, laid out another scathing indictment of the Bush administration Friday night, accusing his 2000 election foe of squandering the nation's economic surpluses and its standing in the world.

He also accused Republicans of betraying the public interest and using deception in crafting environmental, economic and energy policies.

"They put George Orwell to shame in their use of the English language," Gore said. "Their single objective ... is to help the wealthy and powerful who have been a part of their electoral and contributor base."

Gore offered two sides in his comments -- first presenting the jocular Tennessee native son with a sense of humor who joked about the nation's economic downturn under Bush, saying he was the first one laid off. But he showed little mercy for Bush.

Kerry leads Bush 46 percent to 41 percent in Washington state, according to the most recent poll by Seattle-based Elway Research in April.