Gore to Give Speech on Iraq in San Francisco

Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush after a bitter five-week vote recount in Florida, will address the club in a speech titled "Iraq and the War on Terrorism," a club spokeswoman said.

The Commonwealth Club, founded in 1903, bills itself as the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum, with past speakers ranging from President Teddy Roosevelt to civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

Bush's effort to rally domestic and international support for a campaign to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has drawn at least qualified support from Democratic leaders, including those most likely to challenge Bush for the White House in 2004.

Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle said on Tuesday he expected Congress to vote on a resolution on Iraq well before the Nov. 5 elections that will decide which party controls the House and Senate.

Gore, who supported the Gulf War resolution in 1991 while still in the Senate, called earlier this year for a "final reckoning" with Iraq but said that should be combined with vigorous coalition building and a thorough analysis of Iraq's needs after a change in leadership.

Gore's speech will be followed by a question and answer session from the audience. The Commonwealth Club has more than 14,000 members.