1999 Ford Taurus 1999 Ford Taurus start-up problem

Thanks for any help anyone can give.
When it sats for a while it's hard to start. At first I was thinking it was dirty injectors and gas dripping.
Used 2 good name brand treatments, checked the egr value, Changed the fule filture. Now when I try to start it it acts like it's flooded. No smell of gas.I have to play with the gas by pumping it tail it starts. While it's trying to start it sounds like it's backfireing. The plug wires are fine or seam to be.
Not checked the pluges yet. When I do get it to run it seames a little low on power on hills
Could this be the pluges bracking down and not having enuff spark to start. Also then wouldn't I smell gas?
Thanks again for any help anyone can give. Thanks for takeing time to read this question