In a similar position, Mr. Gore first began warning of global warming and the greenhouse effect.

Mr. Gore has only recently begun to emphasize his experience as a qualification for the job of president.

As a result, when Mr. Gore began his major television campaign last week, he found rich territory.

Mr. Gore ran for Congress at 28 and began mounting his first presidential campaign only 10 years later.

Then about two months ago, as Mr. Gore began drafting his speech for the convention, the phrase "working families" re-emerged.

Mr. Gore began interviewing potential running mates in mid-July and had completed them by July 25.

Mr. Gore begins at a certain disadvantage with these voters, who may be put off by his sometimes aloof manner.

They also said Mr. Gore would begin to poke holes in the Bush proposals themselves as mere window dressing.

But at a session in Iowa two weeks ago, Mr. Gore began accusing his rivals of being soft on defense.

Asked whether he considered himself new blood, Mr. Gore paused for a long time, and began to laugh.