1.   Gore has been trying to explain the inexplicable ever since he broke with President Clinton over the fate of Elian Gonzalez.

2.   Gore has consistently tried to ignore the polls in public, particularly because he has sometimes been behind and never far ahead.

3.   Gore has since tried to act laughably casual, jogging through Nashville, playing touch football in Washington, attending church on Sunday morning.

4.   Gore has tried to exude more energy and passion on the stump, but to some Missouri voters he still comes across as stiff.

5.   Gore reportedly tries to keep his bald spot out of view as much as possible.

6.   Gore tried once again to separate himself from the scandals that afflicted President Clinton during their political partnership.

7.   Gore tried to dramatize the impact of the competing plans for younger workers.

8.   Gore tried to pre-empt that possibility with a joke.

9.   Gore has tried to exploit such sentiments by accusing Bradley of being divisive and of aiding the Republicans.

10.   Gore tried to avert a quick Bush victory in Florida by demanding a manual recount of the machine recount in selected counties.