U.S. former Vice President Al Gore on Thursday urged Democrats to seize the opportunity of change by electing Barack Obama as the next president.

"It is not a guarantee; it is only an opportunity," Gore said when addressing the Democratic National Convention. "The question facing us is, simply put, will we seize this opportunity for change?"

Recent polls showed that Obama's supporting rates were pulled down by voters' skepticism not mainly about his policies, but his experience and readiness to lead the nation.

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (R) speaks as U.S. Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden looks on beside at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado of the United States Aug. 27, 2008. [Xinhua Photo]

Recalling the presidential elections in 2000 when he was defeated by George W. Bush by a controversial margin, Gore underscored the need for change to avoid repeating the wrongness and dragging the country to the worse.

He warned that the same policies would be "all over again" because John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate, "is now openly endorsing the policies of the Bush-Cheney White House and promising to actually continue them."

In view of recent polls showing the tied race between Obama and McCain, Gore said that the election is close mainly because "the forces of the status quo are desperately afraid of the change Barack Obama represents."

Citing Obama's opposition to the Iraq war, Gore hailed the Illinois Senator's experience and wisdom, which was criticized by political rivals and doubted by some voters.

"His leadership experience has given him a unique capacity to inspire hope, in the promise of the American dream of a boundless future. His experience has also given him genuine respect for different views and ideology," he said.

Gore, who is still influential and popular among Democrats, remained neutral during the primary season and endorsed Obama after he clinched candidacy on June 3.

The Democratic National Convention is to be concluded with Obama's acceptance as the presidential nominee on Thursday night.

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(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2008)