Mr Gore can use wonkishness to show he is no pale reflection of his boss, and advance a distinctive agenda: education, the environment, foreign policy.

ECONOMIST: Al Gore��s unruly party

Other passengers say it's a reliable and comfortable service but those with experience of European trains say the American ones are a pale reflection - in terms of frequency, speed and relative luxury.

BBC: Could the US crack high-speed rail?

His clothes were as ugly and incongruous as his two-tone swimsuit a baggy shirt, which looked black from my balcony but was probably patterned, and a pair of light-colored slacks that appeared to be a very pale blue, though that was possibly a reflection from the nearly invisible water.

NEWYORKER: While the Women Are Sleeping

The evening sky was pale and empty and the light from the kitchen window made a yellow square reflection in the darkening yard.

NPR: Excerpt: 'The Member of the Wedding'