Al Gore: DFA Asks Him to Clarify His Position

[MADem]

I had noticed that there was a small dust up here at DU about Al Gore--with some people INSISTING that he wasn't running because he had said so (no PLANS to run) while others averred that he hadn't made a Sherman statement (if nominated I will not accept, if elected I will not serve) and thus he was continuing to leave his options open.

Well, apparently DFA is in the latter camp, too. Per an email they sent out (no link, it is an email, you can probably find it at their website, too):

Dear #######################,


Our challenge to Al Gore: Jump In or Drop Out!

Something surprising is happening at Democracy for America; former Vice President Al Gore is leading the race for the DFA Presidential endorsement -- as a write-in candidate.

Voting is still open until November 5 at midnight, and there is plenty of time for any candidate to win. All your candidate needs is your vote right now:

http://www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/PulsePoll

Despite the fact that Al Gore has not announced that he will run and wasn't even included in the endorsement poll, DFA members have seized the power and written him in. With over 65,000 votes cast so far, the time has come for Vice President Gore to make a decision.

The clock is ticking. We are deep into the 11th hour. There are fewer than 90 days until the first votes are cast. And filing deadlines to be on the ballot start closing in just days.

You deserve to know. Is Al Gore in or out?

Together, we are the boots on the ground that knock on doors, make phone calls, and recruit new supporters whether advocating for the next president or electing Governor Howard Dean to Chair the Democratic National Committee. DFA members are working to take our country back and the DFA endorsement is worth more than just words to the candidate that wins.

Vote for your candidate now:

http://www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/PulsePoll

Of course, this is not an ordinary endorsement poll. All voters are asked for their top three choices. And in the end, only an announced candidate can win the DFA endorsement. That means this will be the first poll in the nation that can accurately report both the remarkable support Al Gore has in the progressive grassroots AND which announced candidates earn that support if he never jumps in.

When we announce the results on November 6th, one year from Election Day, everyone will be watching.

Don't keep us waiting, Mr. Gore. It is time for an answer.

Arshad Hasan
Executive Director

[Dora]

1. Issuing orders and ultimatums are rarely an effective communication strategy.

I do hope Gore runs.

I think this "challenge" is disrespectful to Mr. Gore. "Jump in or drop out" WTF kind of message is that? Who is Hasan to be issuing such a command?

Puhllease. I'll take the poll. I'll also trust that Gore will make the best choice he can make - he hasn't failed us yet.

(BTW - my frustration isn't with you, the poster - just with the tone of the letter. It reads like it was written by an unwise marketing intern.)

[MADem]

5. Heh heheh...

I hope he runs too. I'm kinda waiting on him; still undecided.

Arshad is a youngster, 2003 college grad (interesting article about his GLBT tassle at graduation, here): http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2004/05/27/News/Rainbow.Tassel.Not.Shown.On.Brochure-2151212.shtml

but he's no neophyte. He got the :thumbsup: to send out this email from the very top echelons, so that would be Howard Dean's brother. Here's his bio (he's been promoted since this was written, he's EXECUTIVE Director now):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arshad-hasan

Arshad Hasan is Training Director at Democracy for America (DFA).This people-powered political organization, which was founded by Howard Dean in 2004, is dedicated to building a grassroots network of socially progressive and fiscally responsible activists running for all levels of office – from the school board to the Presidency. DFA is empowering everyday Americans to reform their political system.

Arshad joined Democracy for America in early 2005 to develop and direct the DFA Training Academy. Before joining DFA, Arshad worked with MoveOn PAC during the 2004 elections. Previous to his electoral experience, Arshad based his professional political career in environmental issue advocacy and organizing. His non-electoral campaign experience includes work on legislative issue campaigns, corporate accountability campaigns, and grassroots fundraising. Arshad traces his Governor Howard Dean roots to February of 2003 when he founded one of the nation’s first organized Dean groups, Philly for Dean. Whenever possible, Arshad like to take off from DFA and work on campaigns with staffers he’s trained. In the 2006 general election, Arshad worked as the GOTV Director for Jerry McNerney for Congress.

[Dora]

7. He's an "experienced" neophyte who was given the go-ahead by busy people.

It's a bad letter: an exercise in the uber-American right/wrong, in/out, win/lose duality-driven frame of mind.

We MUST stop limiting ourselves with the EITHER/OR dualities.

[MADem]

9. Well, I'm thinking he didn't do this on his own, is all.

He got direction. From someone.

Jim Dean is running DFA now, isn't he? Or did Tom Hughes move up?

I think they thought this through, I really do. Maybe they know something--either he isn't going to run, and they want to give people a chance to change their votes (you CAN do that on that site) or he IS going to run, and they want to be able to credit him with the votes he's gotten.

It's a straw poll, it's unscientific. It's not really either/or, though--it's just limited to all of the candidates who are declared, from Gravel on up, for the final results.

[Dora]

10. Oh, I have no problem with the poll or its methods.

I don't like the "do this or else" tone of the letter.

It creates tension where it's not useful.

[MADem]

11. The reason I don't think this came solely outta Arshad is because he's way left of even the

DFA average schmuck. He cut his teeth with MOVEON. Maybe it's meant as an encouragement.

I really do know what you're saying, though. The "shit or get off the pot" aspect is a bit...er, didactic!

[Fly by night]

2. My response to DFA -- fuck you

"Why in the pluperfect hell should only an 'announced' candidate be able to win the DFA poll? Not only does that defeat the purpose of the poll, but it invalidates my vote (and the votes of thousands of other DFA members) at a time when we are all trying to encourage Al to enter the race.

"Besides, it changes the 'rules' of the poll in mid-stream. If you had wanted us to only vote for announced candidates, why in the hell did you place a 'write-in' box on the poll in the first place.

"If you don't reconsider announcing the actual winner of this poll on November 6 (rather than someone besides Al Gore, if he turns out to be the real winner), you are no better than Katherine Harris and Kenneth Blackwell. In that case, take me the hell off your email list."

Most assuredly,

Fly by night

[Uncle Joe]

3. Seconded!

I believe they thought one of the announced candidates would be the winner.

[madfloridian]

4. No, they did not think that.

They know how strong the support for Gore has become.

[Uncle Joe]

6. You may be correct, madfloridian,

I hope you are.

[Fly by night]

8. I hope you are too. Re-elect Gore in 2008.