Associated Press Former Vice President Al Gore gestures during a speech at a Tennessee Democratic party fund-raiser, Saturday in Nashville, Tenn. Gore criticized President Bush's handling of the economy in his speech Saturday night that marked what he called a return to "the national debate.''

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A handmade sign propped on an easel in the middle of the emptying ballroom after Al Gore spoke simply read "Gore 2004."

The question was on the lips of nearly everyone who shook hands, hugged and posed for pictures with the man who narrowly lost the 2000 presidential election. "Are you going to run again?" they asked, and "I hope you're in the race, Al," they said.

The response varied little: "Well, we'll see. I haven't decided yet."

But Gore, who is still wearing his post-election beard, was certainly laying the groundwork with his "return to the national debate" speech Saturday night at a $25-a-person fund-raiser for the Tennessee Democratic Party.

Gore criticized the Bush administration's economic and environmental policies and talked about his creation of a new political action committee to raise money for Democrats nationwide running for office this year and to train young activists.

Aides say Gore will begin making campaign appearances for other Democrats this month but did not have a schedule and would not say on whose behalf he would appear.

Tennessee Rep. Bob Clement said he believes while Gore campaigns for others in his party, he will make up his mind about 2004.

"He is testing the waters," Clement said.

Gary Prater, a longtime supporter from McMinnville, agreed. "I think he's preparing himself for 2004."

LeAnn Hale of Millersville said she hopes so. "I know what my heart wants. I just don't know if he'll do it."

Gore, who lives in Virginia, has been teaching at two Tennessee universities and working with a Los Angeles-based financial services holding company.

He has been criticized for keeping too low a profile since conceding the presidential election in December 2000 but said, "it was right for me and I would do it again."

His only other appearance in the national spotlight has been to announce his support of President Bush in the war on terrorism. Saturday night, he reiterated that "we all stand together in the war against terrorism and with the president and salute his resolve."

But, he said, "for everything there is a season and ... as a new election season begins, I intend to rejoin the national debate." The crowd of about 1,600 Democrats responded with thunderous applause.

The former vice president said the Clinton-Gore administration had eliminated the deficit and "built the strongest American economy in history, but our economic house is no longer in order."

The nation now is in a recession, "$4 trillion in surpluses have disappeared in a single year and public investments in priorities like job training and school construction and health care are once again being slashed," he said.

"I believe we need a government that lives within its means, invests in the American people and supports tax cuts for the people who need tax cuts. What we don't need is a government whose budget is based on inaccurate assumptions and whose priorities provide special favors for the few over the many."

Gore also called for better protection of the environment and campaign finance reform - indirectly criticizing the administration's link to the Enron scandal when he said, "recent events have made it clear this reform is needed more than ever."

Jim Otto and his wife, Beth, traveled from Lincoln, Neb., for the speech. Otto said it was challenging for Gore to make the right mix - supporting Bush on the war on terrorism, but "pointing out what needs to be done, what needs to be changed."

"It's not un-American to talk about the surplus under Clinton-Gore and the deficit under Bush-Cheney," Otto said. "It's not un-American to say they are not managing the country well."

Gore was accompanied to the fund-raiser by his wife, Tipper, and his 89-year-old mother, Pauline, who lives in the farming community of Carthage, near Nashville.

He kicked off his new effort in Tennessee because he is still trying to make right in the home state he lost for the first time in 2000. Had he won Tennessee, he would have had enough electoral votes to win the White House.

"I want to make clear that I understand there's a lot more work for me to do here - more fences that need mending," he said. "But it's work I am looking forward to. I am committed, heart and soul, to the people of this great state."