ASHVILLE - As polls show him lagging behind Texas Governor George W. Bush, Vice President Al Gore and his top aides met with state Democratic Party chairmen from around the country yesterday to coordinate strategy for the fall campaign.
''We told the vice president to be himself,'' said Paul Berendt, the Democratic chairman of Washington state. ''The economy is roaring. All he needs to do is be himself and tell the success story of this administration.''
Democrats expressed little concern about Gore's performance on the campaign trail. Instead, they reaffirmed their support and said that the more voters learn about Bush, the less they will like him.
Florida Democratic chairman Bob Po said polls will tighten and the race will intensify as time goes on. ''There is a natural lull right now in the campaign,'' Po said.
The Democrats spent most of the day being briefed by Gore aides at campaign headquarters. For example, campaign chairman Tony Coehlo discussed fund-raising figures and organizational matters. Campaign manager Donna Brazile addressed the group, as did Mark Fabiani, the new deputy campaign manager for communications.
Kathy Sullivan, New Hampshire's state party chairwoman, said much of the discussion focused on coordinating efforts on behalf of local, state, and national candidates within each state and around the country with a unified message.
Also yesterday, Gore proposed spending $11 billion over 10 years to expand after-school programs and provide a new tax credit to help families pay for after-school activities.
Visiting a YMCA classroom with parents and small children, Gore said he wanted to help parents who were stressed about their kids coming home to empty houses and vacuous television shows.
''After-school for millions of children can make the critical difference and help parents raise the children that they love,'' said Gore, who was kicking off a series of addresses about the family, with a talk about fatherhood still to come.
Gore told his audience that children are most at risk for drugs and violence between 3 and 7 p.m. ''Fill up that time with useful activities,'' he implored.
