ANDRIA HALL, CNN ANCHOR: Al Gore was busy Saturday, as well, working to point out differences between himself and George W. Bush. The vice president visited Baltimore, Maryland, to address members of the Democratic Leadership Council. CNN's Kathleen Koch reports some of them are worried Governor Bush is beating Gore to centrist voters.</s>AL GORE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm running for president because I want to serve the people -- all the popular, and not the narrow needs of the special interests.</s>KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was like old home week, Al Gore speaking to the organization he helped to create: the centrist Democratic Leadership Council. But even the vice president has noticed his opponent is embracing DLC ideas oin everything form education to Medicare and Social Security.</s>GORE: Now, if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Governor Bush must be trying to flatter the DLC every time he steps out on the campaign trail.</s>KOCH: But on those same issues, Gore has either distanced himself or opposed the DLC plan. DLC leaders insist they and Gore are on the same page and that George W. Bush is a conservative wolf in centrist's clothing.</s>AL FROM, DLC PRESIDENT: It's perfectly understandable. When the other side has good ideas, they, you know, a candidate probably wants to copy them. And that's what George W. Bush is trying to do.</s>KOCH: The Bush campaign denies it's stealing anyone's ideas but wouldn't mind taking some Democratic votes. In a statement, a Bush responded to Gore, saying, quote, "If he's accusing the governor of reaching out to Democrats and independents, then we are guilty." Analysts point out the rush to claim the political center is understandable. With most Americans identifying themselves as moderates, the winning candidate must appeal to the middle as well as to his traditional support base. (on camera): So from now until Election Day, both candidates can be expected to speak increasingly to moderate voters. And increasingly, both will fling the label conservative or liberal at their opponent, hoping it sticks. Kathleen Koch for CNN, Baltimore.
Gore Returns to His Roots in Fight for the Center