'Battle lines clearly drawn'

"Now that the conventions are over, the battle lines are clearly drawn," Bush added before an enthusiastic crowd of about 6,000 supporters in an industrial office park warehouse, as several thousand others waited outside. "The voters have a clear choice."

Gore waves to a crowd in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, before he discusses campaign issues

Bush said his first priority would be education. He criticized Gore for saying a campaign finance reform measure would be the first bill he would send to Congress.

"He's a little short on credibility on this issue," Bush said in a clear reference to Gore's own fund-raising problems, including a controversial visit to a Buddhist temple in 1996.

In Wisconsin, Gore described his campaign as a "struggle" against powerful special interest groups and corporations, which he said have gained unfair influence over government. He condemned insurance company "bean counters," who, he said, take medical choices away from doctors and patients.

"I said in my speech last night that this whole struggle is about the future of our country and what happens for working families," Gore said.

"Getting the right kind of policies that unleash the potential of our country can only happen if we all join together to overcome the resistance that's out there," he said.

Slightly hoarse from his convention speech, Gore also touted his record on the environment, saying he could "clean up pollution and create good new jobs at the same time."

Bush blasts Gore's strategy

On his way to the Memphis rally, Bush disparaged Gore's strategy. "I don't think you can lead by dividing people into groups," he told reporters.

Bush conceded that Gore asserted his independence during his party's convention, which ended Thursday night in Los Angeles.

"Sure, yes, he's standing on his own two feet," Bush said, adding, however, that if Gore were elected it would amount to "four more years of Clinton-Gore," repeating his theme that voting for Gore would equal giving President Clinton a third term.

Gore's Thursday night acceptance speech called Bush's proposals "old guard" and beholden to the powerful and the wealthy -- remarks that prompted quick criticism from the Bush campaign.

"Despite his promises, he offered few specific policy details and instead went through a laundry list that had more clichˇs than conviction," said Bush spokeswoman Karen Hughes.

"Without intending to, he also offered a laundry list of the policy failures of his own administration," Hughes said in a written statement. "From failing to provide prescription drug coverage for seniors, to failing to enact a patient's bill of rights, to failing to improve public schools, to failing to eliminate the marriage penalty in the tax code."

For Gore and his running mate, Sen. Joe Lieberman, political ports of call on the riverboat tour include Illinois and Iowa, both crucial to their bid to defeat Bush in the election.

"The campaign is going from Los Angeles back to the heartland so that Al Gore can speak directly to people about his plans for the future," said Gore spokesman Doug Hattaway.

Ready to debate

Bush leads in the most recent polls in Missouri, where President Clinton and running mate Gore won in 1992 and 1996.

Bob Tully, the Iowa Democratic chairman, said he would meet the ticket in Dubuque, Iowa. "It is a smart move on their part," he said.

Iowa has gone Democratic in the past three presidential elections, but Gov. Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, said Bush would win narrowly if the election were held now.

"What's important is the poll taken this weekend," said Democratic Rep. Marty Meehan of Massachusetts. "If an 11-point lead can be cut in half, then the Democrats have a chance."

Earlier Thursday, the Bush campaign announced that it wants three debates with Gore this fall, and two between Cheney and Lieberman. Hughes, the Bush spokeswoman, said the campaign was open to negotiations on details, sponsors and formats.

"We've been ready to debate for months," said Chris Lehane, Gore's spokesman. "Their newfound readiness to debate shows this campaign is tightening."