WASHINGTON -- Vice President Al Gore's campaign said today it is standing by campaign manager Donna Brazile after Gen. Colin Powell accused her of playing "the race card" by saying Republicans would rather have their pictures taken with black children than feed them.

"There's no question that General Powell is a great American hero who has contributed in many ways to America and we're grateful for that," said Chris Lehane, Gore campaign spokesman. "However, having General Powell, Congressman (J.C.) Watts in the Republican Party, no matter how distinguished they are is not a substitute for an agenda that supports African-Americans, including civil rights, health care, education and affirmative action. That was precisely the point of Donna Brazile's comment."

Lehane, who has said the campaign does not feel an apology is necessary, said Brazile "is doing a great job and will continue to do a great job."

Powell wrote a letter to the vice president Thursday saying he was "disappointed and offended by Donna Brazile's comments concerning me, Congressman J.C. Watts and the Republican Party."

Brazile, who is also black, said in an interview with Bloomberg.com that President Clinton and Vice President Gore "have worked hard for the last seven years to improve the lives of African-Americans and Hispanics."

"On the other hand, the Republicans bring out Colin Powell and J.C. Watts because they have no program, no policy. They play that game because they have no other game. They have no love and no joy. They'd rather take pictures with black children than feed them."

Watts wrote a separate letter to Gore calling Ms. Brazile's remarks "racist" and "appalling."

Powell wrote that his involvement in numerous charities and youth organizations is intended "to help feed, educate and spiritually nourish all of America's children, black and white, and not just for a photo op. And I do so as a Republican."

He said Watts' "dedication to the youth of America is well known."

He reminded Gore that "we both know that political leaders from both parties in Congress, statehouses and city halls across the country are hard at work on the problems of America's children."

And he asked that the Gore campaign "not start the new century by playing the polarizing 'race card' which immediately contaminates and destroys the opportunity for open debate on issues of importance to our children."