GORE brushes aside questions about his own future as he stumps for Minneapolis mayor

<br>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ Al Gore returned to the campaign trail Monday, but said he wasn't trying to win any votes for himself. <br><br>The former vice president brushed aside questions about his own

Monday, September 3rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ Al Gore returned to the campaign trail Monday, but said he wasn't trying to win any votes for himself.

The former vice president brushed aside questions about his own political future as he appeared at a rally to help Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton win a third term.

``I don't know what I'm going to do in the future,'' he told about 200 supporters and donors of Sayles Belton.

When they shouted, ``Run for president,'' Gore held up his hand to quiet them. ``I wasn't begging for that response, I really don't know,'' he said.

In his brief remarks, Gore repeatedly mentioned his own narrow defeat to George Bush, which became official after weeks of recounts.

``My attitude is you win some, you lose some, and then there's that little-known third category,'' Gore said.

Gore made a glancing reference to Bush's job in office without mentioning him by name.

``You'll remember last year there was talk from people who said, `Well, you know, the country's headed in the right direction. Things are going well.' What are they saying now? Think about that when you think about this city moving in the right direction.''

Sayles Belton must be among the top two vote-getters to advance to November's general election. She has three serious rivals, two fellow Democrats and an independent.

Gore's main Democratic opponent in 2000, former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey, campaigned Sunday on behalf of R.T. Rybak, another Democrat in the mayoral race.

Gore drew laughs when he talked about the sometimes difficult transition from public to private life.

``They let other cars on the road when I drive. That takes considerably more time,'' Gore said. ``And what's this with commercial air travel?''