By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Supporters of Dick Gephardt say the Missouri Democrat can only benefit from Al Gore's departure from the presidential race, and possibly make him the front-runner because of name recognition.
Gore announced yesterday he would not seek the presidency, leaving the race for Democratic presidential candidate wide open.
Gephardt praised Gore's long record of public service, and said his voice would be missed in the presidential contest.
Gephardt stepped down from his post as the House Democratic leader after last month's election, a move widely viewed as the first step toward a presidential campaign.