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Democrat rivals pull punches
Final debate: Bradley (right) may soon concede defeat
By Los Angeles correspondent David Willis
Democratic candidates Al Gore and Bill Bradley have taken part in their final public debate of the US presidential campaign.
The debate, in Los Angeles, was held less than a week before the so-called Super Tuesday primaries which will probably decide which of the two men is left in the fight for the White House.
Vice President Al Gore has a significant lead in the polls over the former basketball player, Bill Bradley. But Mr Bradley insists he is still running for president.
Democratic candidates Al Gore and Bill Bradley have taken part in their final public debate of the US presidential campaign.
The debate, in Los Angeles, was held less than a week before the so-called Super Tuesday primaries which will probably decide which of the two men is left in the fight for the White House.
Vice President Al Gore has a significant lead in the polls over the former basketball player, Bill Bradley. But Mr Bradley insists he is still running for president.
 Al Gore: Regrets moments of unkindness
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Borrowing a time-honoured phrase from Mark Twain, Bill Bradley told reporters before the debate that reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated.
Responding to a suggestion during the 90-minute forum about his fading fortunes, he confidently predicted that next week's Super Tuesday primaries would mark the day his campaign takes off.
But Al Gore has come from behind to outpace Mr Bradley in the polls comfortably, and is widely expected to wrap up the Democratic nomination next week.
That may explain why the acrimony of previous debates was missing from this one.
Some commentators believe Mr Bradley is making plans to concede gracefully if, as expected, he is heavily defeated on Super Tuesday.
Running mate
It has even been suggested he might now be looking to present himself as a possible vice presidential running mate for Mr Gore.
During the debate the two men agreed about gay marriages, help for the disabled and campaign finance reform, with Mr Bradley passing up the opportunity to attack his rival as he has at previous forums.
Other topics ranged from racial discrimination to lessons learned from mistakes.
Mr Bradley said he had learned to accept failure as a part of life.
Al Gore said he regretted moments in which he had been unkind - which could be interpreted as the offer of an olive branch to Mr Bradley.
Responding to a suggestion during the 90-minute forum about his fading fortunes, he confidently predicted that next week's Super Tuesday primaries would mark the day his campaign takes off.
But Al Gore has come from behind to outpace Mr Bradley in the polls comfortably, and is widely expected to wrap up the Democratic nomination next week.
That may explain why the acrimony of previous debates was missing from this one.
Some commentators believe Mr Bradley is making plans to concede gracefully if, as expected, he is heavily defeated on Super Tuesday.
Running mate
It has even been suggested he might now be looking to present himself as a possible vice presidential running mate for Mr Gore.
During the debate the two men agreed about gay marriages, help for the disabled and campaign finance reform, with Mr Bradley passing up the opportunity to attack his rival as he has at previous forums.
Other topics ranged from racial discrimination to lessons learned from mistakes.
Mr Bradley said he had learned to accept failure as a part of life.
Al Gore said he regretted moments in which he had been unkind - which could be interpreted as the offer of an olive branch to Mr Bradley.
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