Democrat field open as Gore bows out

THE Democratic Party has been left without a clear candidate to challenge George W Bush for the White House in 2004, after former US Vice President Al Gore's surprise decision not to run.

Mr Gore made his announcement late on Sunday evening, saying a re-run of the acrimonious election of 2000 would "focus on the past" and his court battle with Mr Bush for the presidency.

Mr Gore said he believed a Democrat could beat Mr Bush in two years' time, and said that he wanted to contribute to the campaign.