American Notes POLITICS

Although the race for the Democratic presidential nomination has already drawn a slew of well-organized candidates, two more prospects decided to join the crowd last week. Senators Paul Simon of Illinois and Albert Gore of Tennessee announced they would begin campaigns for the White House.

Gore, 39, may be pinning his hopes on the Southern regional primary on March 8, when nearly 30% of the convention delegates may be selected. Gore told a Washington audience that the nation is ready to turn "to youth, vigor and intellectual capacity," presumably his own.

The owlish Simon, 58, hopes his Midwestern base will translate into an impressive showing at the Iowa caucuses. He expects his unabashed support for "traditional" Democratic Party liberalism to separate him from the pack of "neoliberals" chasing the nomination. Said Simon forthrightly: "I am not a neo anything. I am a Democrat."