"We are going to talk about their records and we are going to talk about their ideas, because there are two very different visions here of America's future and of America's past," he said.

Gore criticized the Republican ticket for questioning whether the country was in better economic shape now than before the Clinton-Gore administration took office.

But he said that the voters should not decide their vote based on the past eight years.

"We have made progress, but this election is not a reward for past performance," Gore said. "I'm asking for your vote on the basis of the better stronger, fairer economy we're going to create together."

The vice president finished his speech by putting a local spin on a line from his Democratic National Convention speech.

"If I am entrusted with the presidency, I will not always be the most exciting politician--like [Boston Mayor] Tom Menino--but I will work hard for you every day and I will never let you down," Gore said. Menino, who is known as a colorful politician, was on stage with the vice president.

The College Democrats gave out nearly 500 tickets to the speech at the first-year activities fair on Monday, drawing a large group of first-years.

Alexis C. Madrigal '04, who held a cardboard sign reading "Mower Supports Gore," said he was impressed by Gore's speech.