Bradley endorses Gore

Shake on it: Gore (left) gets Bradley's backing

United States Vice-President Al Gore has won the backing of his former Democrat rival, Bill Bradley, in his campaign for the presidency.

The two men had vied for the Democratic nomination but Mr Bradley dropped out of the race four months ago.

Endorsement: Bradley has made his position clear

"Winning is a team sport," Mr Bradley said, as he offered his backing.

Mr Gore returned the compliment by calling his former opponent "a good Democrat who speaks and stands for principles we all believe in".

The two men addressed a crowd of some 1,000 people in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where Mr Bradley was heckled by some supporters of Governor George W Bush, the Republican candidate.

Mr Bradley praised the vice-president's understanding of the "technological forces changing America", and made his backing for his former opponent explicit.

"Today I want to make it clear that I endorse Al Gore for president of the United States," he said.

In dropping out of the Democratic presidential primary four months ago, Mr Bradley voiced support of Mr Gore.

Working the crowd: Gore (left) and Bradley start their joint effort

But he declined to say he actually "endorsed" the vice president, who he had angrily accused of distorting his record and proposals during their tough campaign.

Democrats have said Mr Bradley's role at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles next month will include a prime-time address on the second night.

The Gore camp wanted the rally with Mr Bradley - their first joint appearance since the primary debates - in Wisconsin, a state where Democrats have historically done well but where polls show a close fight this year.