VIRGINIA SENATE . . . OLLIE GORES AL FOR GAFFE

On Friday , just hours after former First Lady Nancy Reagan called Virginia GOP Senate hopefulOliver Northa liar, Vice President Al Gore got himself in trouble with the following jab at North's $17 million war chest: "He is banking on the fact that he can raise enough money from the extreme right-wing -- the extra-chromosome right wing -- to come in and buy enough advertising to just overwhelm the truth with blatant falsehoods." North's campaign staff seized on the phrase to accuse Gore of insensitivity to children with Down's Syndrome, pointing out that extra chromosomes cause the condition. Gore soon apologized, calling his remark "inappropriate" and "insensitive."