Gore will not run for office in 2004

Former US Vice President Al Gore, who came agonisingly close to winning the presidency two years ago, has said he will not run for the White House in 2004.

The Democrat won the popular vote by half a million votes in 2000 but conceded the presidency to Republican George W Bush after a tumultuous 36-day recount in Florida and a 5-4 Supreme Court vote against him. Mr Gore’s concession came on December 13, 2000, just over two years ago.