GORE SPREADS FARM AID ON VISIT TO IOWA

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Vice President Al Gore spread federal
aid to hog farmers and described drug use as a crisis in rural America on
Friday in what observers characterized as his first campaign swing through
Iowa.

Gore, the early front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in
2000, announced hog farmers will receive $50 million in direct cash payments
with another $80 million to be spent to help eradicate the disease
pseudorabies in hogs and reduce their oversupply.

Farmers are being hurt by the lowest prices for their hogs since the Second
World War.

Gore also attended a town meeting in Des Moines to discuss the illegal drug,
methamphetamine, the use of which has skyrocketed in rural areas.

"I know this is painful for your family to relive this," Gore told a man
whose son committed suicide while under the influence of the drug.

"We have a crisis on hour hands," Gore said. "We need to elevate awareness
because there are still people here in Iowa who do not fully understand the
deadly threat that is posed to these children, to the families of Iowa, to
the social fabric of this state."

Gore's effort to "feel the pain" of potential voters was reminiscent of
President Bill Clinton's very direct and personal style of campaigning.

Gore also flew to Sioux City, in the western end of the state, to discuss
social security with women community leaders.

Iowa is considered politically vital to presidential candidates because it
holds the first-in-the-nation party caucuses early in 2000.

The visit to Iowa was seen locally as the opening of Gore's campaign.

"Hopefully, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship here in Iowa as
Al Gore looks to 2000," said Phil Roeder, a Polk County official and former
Democratic Party communications director.

"Being the front-runner, he's obviously going to be a target for his
competitors. I don't think he'd want to take anything for granted," Roeder
said.

After dismissing the 1988 Iowa caucuses as geared for the liberal wing of
the party, Gore has since made repeated trips to the state to build ties.