WASHINGTON (AP) -- Al Gore relegated two priorities to the wings Wednesday -- the administration's longstanding trade agenda with China and fund-raising reforms newly trumpeted in his presidential race -- as he papered over Democratic differences on trade and pledged his gratitude to $10,000 campaign donors.
In a private morning caucus with congressional Democrats, Gore spoke on the House floor about what Minority Leader Dick Gephardt called the party's "seamless agenda" for education, HMO patients' rights, a minimum wage increase and campaign finance reform, an issue Gore skipped at a fund raiser three hours later.
Gore did not, he acknowledged, press the case for permanent trade benefits or World Trade Organization membership for China.
The Clinton administration has made those top goals despite fierce opposition by some Democrats and by labor unions that are contributing considerable footwork and financing to Gore's election.
"The subject did not come up. ... We did not get into a discussion of too many issues," Gore told reporters in a Capitol corridor.
"It was more of a reunion and a discussion of where we go from here. But I, of course, support China (trade benefits) and am happy to confirm that."
As for earlier pledges to lobby for the trade measures, Gore said: "I've talked with undecided members and I intend to continue doing that."
On campaign finance reform, which he has seized since Republican John McCain and Democrat Bill Bradley, both vocal reformers, dropped from the presidential race, Gore said the issue was the reason "why so many of the voters in both parties -- not to mention independents -- are supporting my campaign."
Polls show Republicans solidly backing Texas Gov. George W. Bush, whom Gore now calls "the titular head of the Republican Party," and independents roughly splitting between the two, if not leaning toward Bush.
If the trade dispute made for an awkward meeting in the House chamber, Gephardt, who has been in the vanguard of opponents to the administration's trade agenda with China, did not let on. "You're never going to find two human beings in the world that agree on every last issue," said Gephardt, D-Mo.
He focused on his party's political unity and noted Gore's fund-raising help for Democratic candidates aiming to take control of Congress.
"He will do more. We're really helping one another. This is a mutual admiration and mutual aid society that we're involved in," Gephardt said.
To wit, Gore's next stop was the opulent St. Regis Hotel near the White House, where 70 people contributing $10,000 apiece inched the Democratic National Committee closer to its $100 million fund-raising goal for the year.
With five more DNC fund-raisers -- in Cincinnati, Detroit and Houston -- on Gore's Thursday and Friday schedule, his take on behalf of the party this week was expected to top $2 million.
Each guest on Wednesday received with his lunch of seared beef fillet a silver-plated picture frame tucked into a gift box stamped with the gold vice presidential seal. Their donations would be split, DNC officials said, between so-called "hard money" and "soft money" accounts.
Both political parties use unrestricted soft money donations to run ads promoting their candidates and knocking down the opposition.
"We've got a big fight looming in the next 7 1/2 months," Gore told the contributors. "If we do it right, then the future opens up with bright vistas for all of our people. We need to keep our prosperity going, make sure nobody is left behind."
He tweaked Bush for considering school improvements a local matter, saying they should be a national priority commanding national resources. Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer responded: "Governor Bush and other education reformers nationwide have proven that excellence in education comes from high standards, strict accountability and local control."
In his luncheon address, Gore never mentioned campaign finance reform, but did promise to remember his donors' largesse.
"I am grateful beyond my ability to tell you in mere words. But I will demonstrate it to you by working my heart out during this campaign to lay out this contrast (with Republicans) as a message of hope that I believe is justified by the solid proposals and policies that can help us create this bright future," Gore said.
Separately, at a meeting with defense reporters, Gore's national security adviser, Leon S. Fuerth, said the vice president does not have a blueprint for allowing gays to serve openly in the military, as he has promised to do if elected. "That's one of the things he needs to work out very quickly upon taking office," Fuerth said, adding it will take "an honest dialogue with the people he has to lead as commander in chief."
Current policy permits gays to serve in the military as long they keep their sexuality private.:
