Still unable to agree to a format for their Presidential debates, Vice President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush exchanged harsh words yesterday on the campaign trail. At issue were the two candidates' demands for the debates and promises to the electorate.

Speaking in Peoria, Gore told a gathering of supporters how he would use the federal budget surplus to lower the debt and buy bigger shoes for the nation's clowns. "For the past two weeks I have been telling the American people all my specific plans and priorities. Clown shoe size has stagnated in this country even while circus revenues have increased dramatically, and I believe we need to address this issue at the national level."

The Gore campaign distributed fliers outlining a plan to use $1.3 billion over the next 10 years to develop clown shoes fitting men's sizes 9-13, but with apparent sizes between 50-108. The flier, "Closing the Clown Shoe Gap," asserts that since leading the world in clown shoe size in 1969, US clown shoes have fallen to 14th among industrialized circus nations.

Bush was not impressed. Speaking to reporters on his campaign plane, the GOP nominee blasted Gore's plan. "It's a case of too lit, too late, too little," Bush said. "My opponeth wants to spend the American people's money on a wasteful government waste spending pogrom on clown feet. I say let the people use their money for what they want."

Bush also blamed the "clown shoe gap" on the Clinton administration. "While this clown gap has grew, where were Clinton-Gore? Either go to the circus or get out of town. And they need to get out of town!"

In addition, Bush claimed, the Gore plan cannot be funded. "He's going to spend 13 billion, but where is it coming from? The plan doesn't make a lot of sense to me."

Bush campaign officials say details of his own clown shoe plan will be released next week. According to one strategist, "the Bush plan will do two things the Gore plan doesn't: address the clown shoe gap aggressively, pay for itself within the budget parameters, not waste money on another huge government bureacracy, and give the American people back their money." Estimates of the Bush plan run to $2.9 billion over 12 years, "because this issue is that important."

Meanwhile, the debate over debates continued. Governor Bush told reporters he'd debate the vice president "wherever and whenever he wants to meet me." Gore's campaign suggested September 17 in Los Angeles. "No good," said Bush.

The Gore campaign claims Bush is evading debates. "We've suggested tomorrow at 11 am, we've offered Thursday. We've offered different formats - without podiums, wearing hats, even a first lady debate, which we think would be very exciting."

Gore says he's "confused" by Bush's refusal to debate. "The only stipulation we made is that my opponent has to stand in a tub of crude oil to show his allegiance to big money interests, and he continues to refuse."

The election will be held November 7.