11.   Gore tried to turn his weakness into a strength, by making self-deprecating jokes, but the boring schtick was boring.

12.   Gore did try to convince people that he invented the Internet, but he took that back.

13.   Gore has repeatedly tried the weekly debate ploy against Bradley, who has refused to take the bait.

14.   Gore has tried to win over James P. Hoffa, president of the Teamsters union, lunching with him last month in Michigan.

15.   Gore has tried two recently.

16.   Gore is trying to change that.

17.   Gore then tried to placate his business allies, sending a letter to the National Association of Manufacturers reaffirming his support for the trade deal.

18.   Gore tried to convey an air of calm.

19.   Gore tried to dramatize his tax plan by meeting with Erik and Meg Merrill, a Portland couple with two young children.

20.   Gore tried to puncture that perception in his address Monday night.