October 31, 2008 Gore: 'Take it from me, elections matter' Play video

(NECN: Fort Lauderdale, FL) - Former Vice President Al Gore stumped on behalf of Barack Obama at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida this afternoon.

"These last eight years have been long, as Tipper said, and they have aged all of us, because of what our country has been through, and you know there were times back in 2000 that you actually heard people make the argument that it didn't really matter who won the election. I don't hear that much anymore. Take it from me, elections matter. Every vote matters, and that's why it is so important to take advantage of the opportunity to vote early," said Gore.

Florida is the state that dashed Gore's White House dreams eight years ago after a confusing ballot and a Supreme Court decision that stopped a 36-day recount. In the end, George W. Bush won the presidency by just 537 votes.

The Democrat embarked on a series of events to boost the candidacy of Barack Obama, with sights set on Florida's 27 electoral votes.

Gore's visit to Florida, a state still up for grabs, marked the first time he's hit the campaign trail for Obama since endorsing him in June and speaking at the Democratic National Convention in August.

"Next Tuesday, America is coming back," said Gore.