Harvard faculty members close to Sen. Albert Gore Jr. '69 said yesterday the Tennessee Senator is a smart choice for the Democratic vice presidential nomination.

Professors praised the Democratic ticket, nothing that the youthful candidates may give new priority of crucial issues, particularly the environment.

"It's a wise choice which enhances the quality of the ticket and deepens its political strengths," said Martin N. Peretz, a Social Studies lecture who is editor-in-chief of The New Republic. "The issues on which national Democratic tickets have been vulnerable are nullified by this choice."

Peretz said that both Arkansas Gov. BillClinton's and Gore's political stance would appealto main stream America.

"These are not old that Democrats here. Theyreally speak to the political center, and that'sgood," Peretz said.

While Peretz said he is not "a kitchen cabinetadviser" to gore he said consider his formerstudent "friend". Gore took firs year seminar withPeretz.

Peretz said that Clinton's pick was "goodsymbolically and practically" He said he believesthat it is time for the Democratic party, as wellas the nation, to "pass the torch" to moreyouthful candidates.

Peretz also lauded Gore's understanding ofenvironmental and technological issues.

Confronted with the same issues, Peretz said,President George Bush wouldn't begin to understandwhat you were talking about."

Rotch Professor Atmospheric Science Michael B.McElroy who also regards Gore as "a good friend,"said Gore is one of the nation's foremost leads onthe environment.

"I think it's great...A wonderful choice"McElroy said. "He's going to bring a good deal tothe ticket."

Gore has spoken at Harvard several times onenvironmental issues. During his most recentJourney to Cambridge in mid--may, Gore discussedHarvard's role in saving an endangered Earth.

Gore has also volunteered to serve on thevisiting committee for the Earth and PlanetarySciences Department, according to McElroy. Butyesterday's announcement raised the possibility ofhaving "the secret service present at meeting ofour visiting committee," McElroy said.

Gore is currently a member of the UniversityBoard of Overseers.

"He was always prepared to question the statusquo in a way that brought us to a betterunderstanding of the issues," said former overseerRya W. Zobel '53.

Zobel said Gore was "very conscientious" aboutattending overseer meetings.

The last overseer to work in the White Housewas John E. Kennedy '40.

Peretz said that the is not surprised that goredecided to accept Clinton's invitation, ratherthan to continue His career in the Senate.

"One cannot deal with the second--highestoffice in the country with the back of one's hand"he said.

And both Peretz and McElroy gleefullyanticipated the debate Possibilities.

"I'm eagerly awaiting a debate between SenatorGore and Vice President Quayle," said McElroy.

A Gore versus Quayle debate would be "a verydelicious scenario," Peretz said, adding thatperhaps the match should be conducted as a"spelling bee."

As an undergraduate, Gore concentrated in theGovernment department. The Dunster House residentwas Freshman Council Chair, an UndergraduateCouncil member, and a Young Democrats member. Healso played Freshman Basketball and served as theDunster House newspaper editor.

Gore's daughter, Karenna A. Gore, is a memberof the class of 1995.

McElroy expressed his hopes that a graduate ofhe College would be successful in his bid for thevice-presidency. "It's been to long since the lasttime we had a Harvard man in the White House,"McElroy said.

Ira E. Stoll contributed to the reporting ofthis story.