ASHINGTON - Al Gore traded one beach for another yesterday, deciding that since Cape Cod was too full to host his debate preparations this weekend, he would set up a ''debate camp'' in the politically potent state of Florida.
The Democratic presidential nominee plans to leave Washington Saturday afternoon, destined for the Gulf Coast community of Sarasota, Fla. He will remain there until Tuesday, when his entourage heads north to Massachusetts for his first debate with George W. Bush at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. It begins at 9 p.m.
While in Florida, Gore will huddle with his advisers and briefing books. He will also participate in mock debates, with former Clinton adviser Paul Begala serving as stand-in for Bush. Begala is also the co-host of the MSNBC program ''Equal Time.''
Meanwhile, Gore's wife, Tipper, and their eldest daughter, Karenna Gore Schiff, will hold public events featuring ''real people'' brought to Sarasota at the campaign's expense. The families are expected to offer testimonials about how Gore's policies would affect average Americans. The families will also travel to Massachusetts to offer post-debate comments for reporters.
''He'll be taking a few days to focus on the issues and get ready for a good debate,'' said Gore spokesman Doug Hattaway. ''I think the debate is a good opportunity for him to communicate directly with voters on the issues and throughout the campaign, whenever voters have heard directly from Al Gore about the issues, they have responded positively, as we saw with the convention speech.''
The vice president had hoped to head to Cape Cod on Friday, spending the better part of the next four days preparing for the debate. His staff ended up having difficulty finding hotel space to accommodate the 200-250 reporters and aides who travel with Gore. Most rooms were already taken by fall travelers.
In addition to having ample space, a Florida site allows Gore to wage a subtle campaign for the state's 25 electoral votes even as he takes a break from the trail to cram for the debate.
A win in Florida is considered vital to Bush's electoral prospects, but Gore has pulled even in most state public opinion surveys. Sarasota is at the extreme western end of the battleground area in the state, the ''I-4 Corridor'' running along Interstate 4 from Tampa east through Orlando and to Daytona Beach.
Gore is considered the leader in southeast Florida, while Bush is viewed as the favorite in northern Florida and the Panhandle.
After Tuesday's debate, Gore will attend a rally in Boston organized by US Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry, as well as Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. He will spend the night at the Park Plaza Hotel and Towers before leaving Wednesday, likely for the Midwest.
As of yesterday afternoon, over 300 media organizations representing over 1,500 people had requested credentials, according to an aide in the US Senate Press Gallery.
