WASHINGTON -- At long last, Al Gore has reappeared! He is pursuing the political training school program that he had floated in a more full-blown way last spring. Al, sporting a full beard, is working with his fellow Tennessee loser, Republican presidential wannabe Lamar Alexander, training young people in political action. A number of former Gore staffers are the lecturers. The trainees are destined, according to Al, to work in the elections of 2002 . . . and maybe to help him in 2004.

It looks like he is serious about keeping his presidential option open. He accepted an invitation to speak at the Iowa Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner in late September. That is a candidate's "must perform" event. His acceptance sends a message to other prospects for 2004 that Big Al is likely to be on the march.

Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic National Committee chairman, will be glad to see him return. He has wanted to get Al to help the committee raise money. Now, he can get into high gear. Questions remain, however, about Gore's welcome with former President Bill Clinton. It would appear that resolving his differences with Clinton is one of the first tasks facing Gore, if he wants to regain his place among the party's most faithful.