"It used to be we couldn't stay on message for a week," one senior Gore aide said.

In a close election, such things can matter, several Gore aides said.

Gore aides said those changes would cost $8 billion over 10 years.

Gore aides said they would immediately begin running a spot in response.

At this point, Gore aides started trying to remove reporters from the room.

"If other measures are needed, we're open to that," a Gore aide said.

But that request, too, has been turned down by Gore aides.

Truth be told, there is not a huge number of former Gore aides and supporters who are in play.

"The psychology is so much more against us," a Gore aide said.

Gore aides later insisted the line was just one of her standard jokes.

"It used to be we couldn't stay on message for a week," one senior Gore aide said.

In a close election, such things can matter, several Gore aides said.

Gore aides said those changes would cost $8 billion over 10 years.

Gore aides said they would immediately begin running a spot in response.

At this point, Gore aides started trying to remove reporters from the room.

"If other measures are needed, we're open to that," a Gore aide said.

But that request, too, has been turned down by Gore aides.

Truth be told, there is not a huge number of former Gore aides and supporters who are in play.

"The psychology is so much more against us," a Gore aide said.

Gore aides later insisted the line was just one of her standard jokes.