POLITICS: BUSH'S SISTER 'SHOCKED' BY GORE'S BEHAVIOR

If she feels any sibling rivalry, Doro Bush Koch doesn't show it.

The sister of Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush campaigned for her brother in Cape Girardeau Friday, criticizing Vice President Al Gore for his behavior during Tuesday's presidential debate and lauding her sibling for his positions on women's issues.

Koch, 41, held a morning news conference and gave a speech at Southeast Missouri State University prior to speaking at the Holiday Inn during a noon luncheon conducted by the Cape Girardeau County Republican Women.

"George is really charismatic," she told reporters at the University Center. "Also, he has got a huge heart."

Koch, who lives in Maryland and has four children, has been on the campaign trail for more than a year. She said Bush's message of "compassionate conservatism" is catching on and has a strong appeal to women voters.

"They want a president their children can look up to," she said.

On the other hand, Koch said Gore "didn't act presidential" in the debate at Boston.

She criticized the Democratic candidate for "sighing and moaning" during her brother's answers.

"I was shocked, frankly," said Koch, who sat in the front row during the debate.

Following her remarks to reporters, Koch spoke to about 30 faculty and students at the University Center.

Koch said her father, former President George Bush, closely follows the presidential campaign. But her mother, Barbara Bush, refuses to talk about the Bush campaign.

"She refuses to pay attention to any of it. She cannot even talk about the election," said Koch.

Koch said she doesn't want a career in politics. She just wants a second Bush elected president.