Former U.S. presidential candidate Al Gore has lashed out against the policies of President Bush, saying patriotism in America means speaking out. 

Mr. Gore says he stands shoulder to shoulder with the president on the war against terrorism, but he says that does not mean Americans should remain quiet if they disagree with his policies. 

Mr. Gore says he believes the Bush administration is making ill-advised choices on the economy, the environment and spending priorities. He did not say whether he would run again in the 2004 presidential election, but promised a Democrat would be elected. 

The former vice president made his comments Saturday during a Democratic Party convention in Florida. Florida's disputed electoral votes in the 2000 election cost Mr. Gore the election, swinging the vote in favor of Mr. Bush. 

Earlier, President Bush urged Congress to make permanent the tax cuts he signed into law last year, saying his policies will benefit businesses, as well as single mothers and senior citizens. 

In his weekly radio address Saturday, Mr. Bush defended his 10-year tax relief act that will reduce taxes by more than $1 trillion over the next 10 years. Congress takes up new tax relief legislation next week. Democrats have criticized the tax cuts as favoring the rich. 

Mr. Bush has also called for drilling oil in Alaska's arctic wildlife refuge and vastly expanding the budget for the U.S. military, two positions that have also been criticized by some Democrats. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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