ATLANTA (AP) — Former Vice President Al Gore believes the U.S. is nearing a political tipping point, with the 2020 Democratic presidential field offering voters the chance to replace President Donald Trump with someone "committed heart and soul" to combating climate change.

Gore, who emerged as a leading climate activist after losing the 2000 presidential election, told The Associated Press in a Friday interview that he won't take sides in his party's wide-open nominating fight.

But he said he's talked to several candidates privately and is "encouraged" by what he's hearing publicly, noting th...