Florida Democrats' hearts with Gore

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Florida Democrats' hearts were with Al Gore this weekend, but many delegates said they're keeping an open mind about their preferences for the 2004 presidential race.\nGore's speech electrified their state convention Saturday, while the other visitors throughout the weekend got sporadic, but enthusiastic applause as they pitched their speeches about the economy, health care, education and the environment.\nSens. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut made their pitch Sunday to Democrats. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut spoke Saturday. None of the visitors have made a final decision whether to run for president.\nThe delegates were most enthusiastic about Gore, "but they're keeping very open minds about some of the potential candidates for 2004," said political scientist Susan McManus of the University of South Florida, who attended the convention. "They know a little bit less about some of these potential candidates. This was an important thing for people like Kerry and Edwards to introduce themselves to Floridians."\nRetiree Ellen Goodstein of Boca Raton said she liked Kerry after hearing his comment that Israel had a right to respond to terrorist attacks. Husband David Goodstein said Gore may be more outspoken than in the past because he "has the freedom to campaign."\n"I think it's still pretty wide open," said Judy Coffman, a nurse from Orlando. "But if Gore keeps coming out like he did yesterday, he will win people over."\nKerry acknowledged Sunday that "I sense a lot of energy -- I heard about yesterday," referring to the reception delegates gave to Gore's fiery speech.\nAll the presidential hopefuls got a chance to talk about their backgrounds, schmooze the crowd and meet with key Democratic groups in private.\nKerry met with several groups, including veterans, labor leaders and Hispanics on Sunday. Lieberman met key Democrats and played host to a crowded brunch in one of the banquet rooms. And Edwards worked the crowd on the opening night of the convention and met privately with party leaders.\nGore was host at a luncheon and met with leading Florida Democrats privately.\nThe 2004 hopefuls' visit to the state was important because "Florida is on the pathway to the presidency," said Bob Poe, chairman of the state Democratic Party.\nOne of the most important tasks for the newcomers was to introduce themselves to party activists.\n• Edwards talked about growing up in a small town in North Carolina and being the first in his family to go to college. He talked about his background as a trial lawyer as a way he has looked out for the interests of those who need help.\n• Kerry emphasized his military background throughout his speech, talking about his service in Vietnam, using military analogies to explain his politics and meeting with veterans.\n• Lieberman had already campaigned in Florida and nationally as Gore's running mate, so he spent less time talking about his personal background, though he talked about his father "working his way from the back of a bakery truck to the counter of his own store."\nAll the visitors made a reference to the controversial 2000 election recount, which left Florida Democrats angry and frustrated for the last 18 months.\nThe dominant factors at the Florida convention were the governors' race, where Democrats hope to overcome the odds and upset Gov. Jeb Bush, younger brother of the president, and the Florida recount.\nThe lingering emotion over the recount naturally made Gore the center of attention.\n"People here really wanted to reconnect. It was about getting closure," Poe said. "This was a special occasion"