Where Al failed, Tipper could prevail: Tennessee may yet fall for a Gore

Tipper Gore and her husband Al, the former vice-president, were back in their home state of Tennessee yesterday, having intense discussions that could alter the fallen political fortunes of the Gore family and, perhaps, the Democratic party.

Mrs Gore is expected to decide within the next few days whether or not to try and emulate Hillary Clinton and run for the US Senate. This follows the abrupt decision last week by Fred Thompson, the popular and apparently unbeatable Republican senator from Tennessee, not to seek re-election this year.

Robert Gibbs, a Democratic party spokesman, described the news as "syrup on top of the sundae". The Democrats' one-vote majority in the Senate has been blocking President Bush's attempts to drive through a rightwing agenda, and the November senatorial elections, when a third of the 100 Senate seats have to be fought, will be ferociously contested.

Until now, the Democrats had written off Tennessee, but it suddenly looks winnable.

If Mrs Gore decides to run, it could be the sugar frosting on top of the syrup. She is best known as the recipient of The Kiss, the prolonged smooch at the 2000 Democratic convention that sent her husband's ratings soaring, and for her earlier campaigns against what she regarded as obscene pop song lyrics.

These have provided her with an image of a happy and loyal wife and as a clean-cut, old-fashioned woman ideal for clean-cut, old-fashioned Tennessee.

Mr Gore, once a senator himself and under-employed following his defeat by Mr Bush in 2000, has ruled himself out as a candidate for the seat.

Mrs Gore has a reputation for being a reluctant politician and rather aloof with the media. Her main concerns these days - women's rights, homelessness and mental health - might be regarded as over-liberal in Tennessee. However, there is immense enthusiasm for her candidacy among the Democratic hierarchy.

Among the many "if-onlys" of the 2000 election, Mr Gore's failure to win his home state, widely put down to neglect and arrogance, ranks high on the list.

Had he carried Tennessee, he would be president. He has spent much of the past few months quietly mending fences there to prepare the ground for a possible renewed challenge to Mr Bush in 2004.

His wife's candidacy would be a trial run for her husband's putative comeback. If she were to fight and lose, either at the primary stage or in the election, it would be construed as the end of Mr Gore's political career. If she won, it would give him renewed impetus.

Mrs Gore has already spoken to Mrs Clinton - elected as a New York senator in 2000 - and got an enthusiastic response. "I think she's a wonderful person, and I'd be delighted to campaign for her," Mrs Clinton said. "I'd be happy to have the company, frankly."

Mrs Gore's most likely opponent is Lamar Alexander, a former state governor.