Gore is managing his non-campaign for President *brilliantly*

[ProfessorPlum]

Every time he is interviewed, the first question out of anyone's mouth is: "Are you running?", and then he makes some noise about this and that, oh, he says it would be a really good platform for effecting change, but I really don't like the horse race, etc.

He never shuts the door, so he keeps the question out there, the shiny soccer ball for the horse race-obsessed lobotomy victims in the press.

Then he gets to talk about substantive issues, which of course the media otherwise would ignore in favor of how his poll numbers stack up against the other candidates, if he were announced. He gets to expound on the environment, on fiscal responsibility, on Iraq, on the Constitution and legality, on illegal wiretapping, on scientific fact over ideological dogma, on the importance of making good decisions, and how good decision making might come about in this country.

He is playing the media like a fiddle.

He knows if he were "running", they'd stop listening to what he was saying. So, he teases them enough to keep their little hamster brains running on their little wheels, and gets to put his IDEAS out there.

In his public appearances, instead of a head-on attack of these criminals, which would put him in the "crazy" Democrat category (to the media, there are only two kinds of Democrats: "crazy" ones who actually tell the truth about things (see Dean, Murtha, Kucinich, Michael Moore) and "wimpy" ones who won't say too much about the corporate agenda and can just be dismissed as "Republican lite" (see Dukakis, Gephardt, Biden)), he takes this thoughtful approach: "Gee", he says, rubbing his virtual beard, "why IS it that the US keeps making these stupid decisions?"

This is a brilliant way to approach it. First, it takes as a PREMISE, not something that needs to be argued, that we have been making stupid and bad decisions, and then gets everyone pondering why that is. It focuses obvious attention on the bad decision makers, and also the enablers in the media and the mostly-slumbering citizenry. The political will to improve our decision-making grows out of this conversation. It implicitly condemns CheneyCo while simultaneously looking at the brighter future beyond them.

Frankly, I don't know how his strategy could be any smarter. He clearly is the first Democrat to really THINK about the problem of the media and come up with effective jujitsu against it (as opposed to just capitulating to it, as the Congressional Democrats just did). This alone puts him miles beyond most of the other candidates, for whom media coverage will just blow them along like paper boats in a storm.

Gore has learned a lot. AND, he has tape of thousands of people begging him to run. This, finally, is a Democrat who gets it concerning the media.

Go Gore!

[SallyMander]

1. Well said!

:applause:

[fishnfla]

100. Loved the "I'm not very good at politics" line

subtle and true

[LiberalEsto]

2. Amen!

I pray he wins.

[pocoloco]

3. I pray he runs!

[hippiechick]

4. He is totally using the media - and beating them at their own game

... one of the points he continually makes in his presentations is how we've become a 'one way' information flow ... how the media TELLS us what they think we need to know, and how it's all done in snips and bits ... and he continues to hammer away at the message that people need to get informed, interact and put their 2 cents worth in.

I agree, it is BRILLIANT! :applause:

[bjobotts]

147. Strategy or not...it's the truth.

But god I hope (like everyone else) it is his brilliant strategy and he actually does run. The Goreman, the Goremaster, the Gorester...
go Gore.

[ClintonTyree]

183. Every day I pray the the lords of karma.........

that Bush will get his comeuppance and Gore will finally attain what is rightfully his: the Presidency. For almost 7 years our country has suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, the "selection" of George W. Bush as pResident.

I hope Gore IS playing the political equivalent of Mohammad Ali's "rope-a-dope" and that this fall he'll enter the race for the Presidency. In my opinion he's the ONLY person with the intelligence and vision to right the avalanche of wrongs from the Bush administration. He'd get my total financial and campaign work support.

Welcome to DU, by the way. :hi: It's terrific to see all of the new members we're gathering. There's a trend occurring here and I LIKE IT! :hi:

[helderheid]

5. Couldn't agree more - not to mention that if he were officially in the race, every interview would

have to be matched in time for the other candidates. Brilliant is right!

[Coyote_Bandit]

6. And

with the movie and book and awards he is getting media attention that he could/would not get if had declared himself a candidate.

I really believe he will be a candidate and that he will win. He has more than ample opportunity to definitively bow out as a candidate - and he has chosen not to do so. And he will get some votes that other Dems will not get in the general election - notably some from those who have buyer's remorse from the 2000 election.

[madokie]

7. what you say

is all so very true. President Gore will not abandon us, never and that can be taken to the bank, so to say

[Prophet 451]

8. He's doing very well

Of course, he could fuck it up at some late stage but for now, he's playing it perfectly.

[RestoreGore]

54. Amazing and interesting how many only see him as a prevaricating calculating poltician

As opposed to a good American truly doing this to inspire people to change the system.

[Labors of Hercules]

78. So, if he runs, does that mean he is a "prevaricating calculating politician"?

Because it's either that, or he's not doing anything NOW to ensure that if he runs it will be a success.
So you're basically saying he'd better not run, because if he does he's either an asshole or an idiot.

I hate to be the one to disagree with this assessment of that particular scenario, but... :shrug:

[Mabus]

101. You're not the only who disagrees with RestoreGore's assessment

She wanted Gore to run in 2004 as did many of us. But he didn't. Some of us didn't give up so easily. Some of us diehard Goreistas started a draft campaign for him 2004. After Gore endorsed Dean most of us gave up the draft effort and went to work for Dean or other candidates. RestoreGore wasn't one of them. She kept trying to draft Gore even after he endorsed another candidate. Then she got mad at him when he didn't jump in at the last minute and battle Kerry for the nomination. She's never forgiven him and she spends a lot of time on DU posting on threads that encourage a possible Gore candidacy in 2008 because he didn't run when she wanted him to run.

Now, she gets upset when anyone talks about Gore in almost any other context except global climate change. See, since Gore told her "no" and went on to concentrate on global climate change that's all she thinks he should do. She's ignored the various speeches that he's given over the years and tries to discourage others from supporting Al in anything other than climate change.

[Name removed]

141. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kurovski]

143. It might just be that Al has better timing than you. (nt)

[Mabus]

153. And then there were those incandescent light bulbs you were selling for Gore

*yawn* Call it what you will but most rational people would call it a draft movement when you encourage people to write-in a candidate for president.

How many of those incandescent lights for Gore do you have left? And why, why didn't you use CFLs? You've claimed to have supported and listened to Gore for over 16 years but for some reason you don't seem to hear what he has had to say.

[Name removed]

182. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RestoreGore]

206. That's not true either

And you mentioned that once before when you couldn't get s rise out of me regarding something else, and it is a total fabrication you cannot prove. I do not understand how unsubstantiated accusations are allowed with the intent to bait, but the repsonses to those accusations are removed.

[Mabus]

You were selling incadescent candle lights to put in the windows of homes

Wasn't that one of the reasons that you were banned from several Gore forums?

I also think it is really, really funny that after several months of my asking you multiple times about your involvement with the draft movement during the 2004 election, your selling incandescent lights for Gore and the money that you were trying to raise for some documentary that you've started trying to rewrite history. For instance, you say you didn't try to draft Gore yet you were trying to get him votes in the primary/caucuses as a write-in. How is that not a draft? What did you do with the money?

[RestoreGore]

211. I think you either need to show some proof

or tread very carefully with what you are now saying to me. You are deliberately trying to bait me, and I do believe you have another agenda. Again, either prove it, or think carefully about where you are treading.

[janx]

212. This is all very weird.

:popcorn:

[RestoreGore]

221. To me it is ridiculous

Politics indeed.:puke:

[janx]

227. Meh.

Kurovski had a good suggestion. Maybe you could take this to DU mail or something. ;-) None of it makes any sense to me. :rofl:

And it would be a real shame if this thread were locked.

[RestoreGore]

239. Tell that to the person who is making it personal

[Mabus]

220. What happened to your aol.com/... /fightforjustice.html website?

That you linked to in this Jan. 8, 2003 e-mail on a Gore group? Like many of the other websites you put up during this period, you've also taken it down.

Shelving Campaign Finance Reform was the first move. This bogus economic plan is the second, easing ethics rules which the House Republicans have already tackled in the new Congress as their pressing issue the third, and then pushing through judges to absolutely make sure those Americans who don't matter in the equation have their civil rights nullified will seal it. This all just exemplifies where the Republicans really operate from. Not integrity, not honor, not true caring for the American people...Their allegiance is PURELY to those who BUY THEM VOTES, and the rich who will now in their hopes take their untaxed dividends and put them in their campaign coffers. THAT is truly the stimulus they are concerned about. The PEOPLE no longer have a voice in THEIR govt. Democracy is dead.
God help us if we don't stand up to it.
DRAFT GORE IN 2004!

~***~
AL GORE IS MY PRESIDENT

BTW, I've got over 30K e-mails to go through to find the information you've asked for. It would be much easier to do if you hadn't been constantly changing e-mail addresseses to get back on the lists you banned from.

[RestoreGore]

223. Never had a site with that name, and the moderators have been alerted to your harrassment

[Mabus]

228. I've got the e-mails which I can forward with the headers

which include the link I've referenced above.

All I know is that I can sleep with a clear conscience.

[Mabus]

210. Oh yeah, thanks for kicking the thread with all of your replies

It helps keep this post in the spotlight. :woohoo:

[RestoreGore]

214. yes and it keeps my posts here in the spotlight too so whats your point?

You are making false accusations against me publicly and I want to see proof. If you cannot provide it, then everyone will know what you are.

[RestoreGore]

219. I knew it wasn't coming because it is not true

How sad some have to resort to such tactics here. I'm done with you.

[Mabus]

226. Like I said, I've got over 30K e-mails to go through

and they are in several different directories on two different computers. I'm not using the same computer I was using in the 2000-2004 because my husband and I got a second computer. He's using the one that has most of my old files on it and I will access it later today.

Patience my dear.

[Mabus]

232. If you stopped trying to draft Al after he endorsed Dean, how to you explain your press release

Since it is apparent that you will question the e-mails I provide I decided to look on the web, specifically at websites that you could not scrub.

Below is a press release that your organization sent out after Gore endorsed Dean. Please note the bolded portions.

Patriots for Gore Open Phone Bank In New Hampshire press release

Patriots for Gore Open Phone Bank In New Hampshire

On December 26, 2003 Patriots for Gore opened a phone bank to contact registered voters in NH about the write-in campaign to support Mr. Gore. 1480 voters have been contacted as of Monday, January 5 and based on the feedback we are getting we are very encouraged and will continue until the the polls have closed on Tuesday January 27.

In addition, we will be running ads in the local newspapers and radio stations beginning January 12 in order to secure the needed amount of votes to make the 15% threshold. We will run a four-week blitz of phone calls, letter writing, and grass-roots organizing like never before.

***

This effort is intended to make sure that Al Gore has a proper delegation at the Democratic Convention this year. We feel that a deadlocked convention is a strong possibility. By having a Gore delegation present it will be much more likely that the convention will turn to Mr. Gore as a consensus candidate, as multiple national and regional polls have shown him to be over the last 8 months.

***

According to Moore, Patriots for Gore, was established shortly after the Dean endorsement, to give Gore supporters across the nation a place to come together and continue to support Mr. Gore's vision for America. Moore went on to say, “while we respect Mr. Gore's decision to endorse Howard Dean, and indeed, we respect and admire all of the announced candidates, this however, does nothing to diminish our resolve in working for the only man we believe can truly turn the tide as this nation's next President. We refuse to deal any longer with a status quo that enslaves the soul and stifles the voice.”


http://politics.press-world.com/v/59055/patriots-for-gore-open-phone-bank-in-new-hampshire.html

Now what were you saying about NOT trying to draft Gore AFTER he endorsed Dean?

[RestoreGore]

242. And how is this bad exactly?

You should be applauding it instead of demeaning it if you really support him. Seems you hate me more than like him. So what do you hope to prove here? Semantics? This thread isn't about me and I will no longer respond to any of this.

[Mabus]

249. Your claims do not match the facts

You've claimed that you didn't try to draft Gore and that drafts were for losers. Guess what, you tried to draft Gore. Are you calling him a loser?

You've claimed that you didn't try to draft Gore after he endorsed Dean. Yet you started your PAC after Gore endorsed Dean and you continued your draft efforts at least until July 4, 2004 (the date of one of your press releases). You claimed that only losers get drafted.

See your postings: You don't draft winners and you respect his wishes and And to those who say I tried to draft him after he endorsed Howard Dean in 2004:

In the latter posting you said:

I did not try to draft him, because DRAFTS DO NOT HAPPEN IN THIS SYSTEM. I tried to get write in votes for him in states that allowed such, but once John Kerry was selected that effort was over.

It isn't semantics. A write-in campaign is intended to have the same results as a draft campaign. Even the wiki recognizes this:

In elections in the United States, political drafts are used to encourage or compel a certain person to enter a political race, by demonstrating a significant groundswell of support for the candidate. A write-in campaign may also be considered a draft campaign.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft_%28politics%29

You ran a campaign (in conjunction with a bona fide Draft Gore organization) in which you asked people to write-in a candidate (who (1) announced he would not seek the office in 2004 and (2) after Gore had endorsed another candidate) in hopes that it would cause a deadlocked convention so, as you said in one of your press releases, "the convention will turn to Mr. Gore as a consensus candidate." http://politics.press-world.com/v/59055/patriots-for-gore-open-phone-bank-in-new-hampshire.html

When that didn't happen you changed your mind about Gore ever running for president and you now you seem to spend quite a bit of time posting on pro-Gore threads trying to discourage others from the same thing you did.

You asked me to provide evidence of anything that you did that you claim you didn't. I started going through some 30K e-mails from various Gore groups since 2000 to find the information that I have. When I published one of those e-mails (in regards to the draft movement) you said I made it up. Rather than continue to have you deny what you wrote and try to paint me as the one rewriting history I turned to third party websites that neither you nor I can alter or scrub (as you've scrubbed your other websites) to prove that you're trying to rewrite history. I've done that. I published the first three hits that I found that showed that you continued to try to draft Gore after he announced he would not seek the office of the president and that you started your PAC to draft him after he had endorsed Dean. I've demonstrated that you are trying to play word games so you can try to rewrite history.

At the heart of all of this is you make it apparent on pro-Gore threads that you think he needs to stick to one issue and one issue only: climate change. Guess what? Gore is an incredibly intelligent man. If he wanted to stop the talk about drafting him all he needs to do is to call Lesley Stahl and go on 60 Minutes again. Or he could go on any show that he wanted. If Gore wanted to make that announcement you can believe that everyone would want to the reporter that broke it.

So, what's the problem you have with others who want Gore to run in 2008? Just because your effort was unsuccessful in 2004, it doesn't mean that it will be unsuccessful this cycle. If you don't like the pro-Gore threads that spring up on DU, ignore them. Let others enjoy the same ideas that you enjoyed during 2004. What's the harm? Or are you just mad at all the people who are supporting Gore now because they didn't support you and your efforts in 2004?

[Mabus]

233. Or this one? "Patriots for Gore PAC Endorses Al Gore For President in 2004" (est. Jan. 2004)

The release date on this is July 4, 2004. Again, it is from an independent website that you can't scrub.

Patriots for Gore PAC Endorses Al Gore For President in 2004

Patriots for Gore, a Federal PAC established in January 2004 to support social issues of importance for all Americans, and to support the vision of Albert Gore Jr. the elected President of 2000, announce their endorsement of him for President in 2004.

Auburn, IL (PRWEB) July 4, 2004 -- Patriots for Gore, a PAC established in January 2004 to support VP Gore and the social issues that are important to America, is announcing their endorsement of Albert Gore Jr. for President via this press release.

To the Democratic Party, and the American people:

We at Patriots for Gore hereby endorse Albert Gore Jr., former Vice President of the United States of America and the elected President of 2000 for President in 2004. It has become clear that Al Gore is the voice of reason in the sea of madness that now pervades the landscape of America. His courageous speeches that tell the truth about the erosion of our Democracy under the Bush administration have been a wake up call for many Americans and a clarion call for justice. As America's Vice President for eight years presiding over a period of relative peace and prosperity, and as a representative of the people of Tennessee for 17 years, Al Gore proved himself to be a man of great strength, knowledge and caring. As we now face the most challenging times this nation has ever faced, this nation will need a leader that possesses those qualities that Al Gore exemplifies. This nation will need a leader that possesses both spiritual and moral strength, a leader not out of touch with the needs of our people, and a leader who is well respected in the international community. And most importantly, this nation will need a leader who can bring forth the truth with passion and courage, and lead our nation with moral clarity according to the rule of law. That leader is Albert Gore Jr.
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2004/7/emw138142.htm

[RestoreGore]

244. Actually, it is on the PAC website, and why would I want to scrub that?

Why are you trying to depict support for Al Gore suddenly as something wrong? I will never regret standing up for this Constitution and for him in 2004 and your meanspirited attacks on me for it here have done nothing but show my support for him. Anyone can go look at any press release my PAC has ever issued at http://www.patriotsforgore.com. I have nothing to hide regarding that and have done nothing wrong or secretive, nor is this thread about me. The fact that you wish to make it look wrong in some way only shows how jealous you are and intent on focusing on me for your own reasons, and it certainly does not put you in a good light. As I stated originally, the experiences I went through in trying to do right made me very cynical about this entire system and those who I feel deserted this country when we needed to stand up for her, and you just aptly displayed why. So thanks for making my point, and thanks for the plug for the site and posting the links to my press releases which show that contrary to the misinformation given here by you and others, that I do indeed support this man with all of my heart, but like him based on past experiences I too have fallen out of love with politics and the corrupted meanspirited system you exemplify so well in your responses.

[Mabus]

235. Or this one: " Patriots for Gore To Continue Write-In Effort" ( 2/26/04)

This is one of the websites that you can scrub. So have at it.

Patriots for Gore is a newly formed fully FEC registered PAC and reporting campaign organization. Patriots for Gore was established shortly after the Dean endorsement to give Gore supporters across the nation a place to come together and continue to support Mr. Gore's vision for America. We refuse to deal any longer with a status quo that enslaves the soul and stifles the voice. We know Mr. Gore understood this all too well when he said: "A vote is not just a piece of paper. A vote is a human voice, a statement of human principle, and we must not let those voices be silenced." Therefore, on December 26, 2003, Patriots for Gore assisted in the opening of a phone bank to contact registered voters in NH about the write-in campaign to support Mr. Gore. Thousands of voters had been contacted as of Monday, January 26th, 2004 through the efforts of volunteers with Draft Gore NE and Patriots For Gore. Based on the feedback we got, we were very encouraged. In addition, Patriots For Gore ran ads on radio stations beginning January 19th in order to seek to secure the needed amount of votes to make the 15% threshold for possible delegate representation. While realistic this may not occur, we were and are also very hopeful in the message we are conveying to the American people. There were also write-in campaigns undertaken in NH, NM, and WI, with others planned in NJ(uncommitted slot)and Alabama. We are now also contacting superdelegates, as they are not tied down to any one candidate and represent approximately 40% of the delegate representation at the convention. This effort is intended to make sure that Al Gore has a proper delegation at the Democratic Convention this year. We believe that a deadlocked convention may be a strong possibility if no clear frontrunner emerges, which can still happen based on the political climate should all four current Democratic candidates stay in the primary process up to the convention. If so, by having a Gore delegation present it will be much more likely that the convention would turn to Mr. Gore as a consensus candidate, as multiple national and regional polls have shown him to still be the Democratic favorite, and the candidate most likely to beat George W. Bush this November. Also, his powerful, truthful, and sincere speeches and leadership over the last three years have shown that Mr. Gore is unequivocably a leader for our times, and a man truly dedicated to the American people.
End of press release.

http://www.geocities.com/patriotgirlfg04/Patriots_For_GoreNews.html

[RestoreGore]

245. Already relayed here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1052850&mesg_id=1061417

[Name removed]

163. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

184. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[think4yourself]

156. Thanks

I never could figure out why she goes out of her way to crush any discussion about a possible Gore Presidency. She needs to change her USERNAME.

[Le Taz Hot]

202. Thanks for the clarification.

I've been wondering what all that was about.

[RestoreGore]

205. That's not true regarding other efforts

I did not try to draft him, because drafts do not happen in this system. I tried to get write in votes for him in states that allowed such ( not at any convention), but once John Kerry was selected that effort was over. I also tried via petition to have a constitutional amendment regarding federal election fraud get to Congress to safeguard against what happened in 2000 from happening again which did have thousands of signatures on it (including Ted Rall's and others BTW) from those who also believed in a remedy considering none was given by the state of Florida or this Congress in response to the total dereliction of duty in counting the electoral votes in 2001. That in case you don't understand IS NOT A DRAFT, but was on my part an attempt at "restoring" what I believe to this day was stolen from this country.

However, I have never bothered this man the way people are now harrassing him daily. I didn't follow him around, stick banners in his face, or state that he would be forced in any way to do anything, and he never asked me to quit either, because bascially he believes in the freedom of this Democracy, and more than likely already knew it wasn't going to happen anyway... And he was right again.

Again, I did not harass him, I took it to the party responsible which was Congress, out of a sense of moral outrage which was not shared by any other Gore "support" sites at that time I guess because it wasn't "politically expedient" to stand up for the Constitution. And I like so many Americans who dared to speak up was summarily ignored by this corrupted corporate warmongering Congress that didn't give a damn about doing what was right, and I believe on the whole still doesn't. And it was that illumination that hit me like a ton of bricks that I saw an inconvenient truth.

It was then that the realization also hit me about how utterly fixed this all is and how naive I had been, and showed me that this was not a system that believed in Democracy and it was the end of any effort that I then believed was simply a spinning of wheels, which is why I support Mr. Gore 's efforts at a grassroots movement do much now. It was also then that I realized that Mr. Gore is indeed a good decent man of his word regarding his intentions and that he truly does know better than me or any of us what is the best course for him to now follow. And after that experience it is clear to me now why he is not planning on running and I too learned a valuable lesson about respecting a man's words and allowing him to do it his way.

I am on to helping Mr. Gore save this planet. So please in the future if you are going to mention what I tried to do, at least tell the truth.

[RestoreGore]

142. No he will not be, because I do not believe he is "planning" anything

I stated it was some of those who only place everything he does with this BS clandestine political plan theory attached to it that must believe that because they just can't let go. I do not think he is or would be which is why I am not subscribing to the false impression of this thread. I believe his words and believe he would ONLY do it if he saw what he claimed he needed to see first. And from the looks of where this coutry is and where it is going, I don't think he is going to see it anytime soon.

[Kurovski]

144. Do you ever proof-read that which you write?

Just a rhetorical question.

[Prophet 451]

165. I'm a cynic

I'm always going to be looking for the motive...

[RestoreGore]

185. Well I am one when it comes to Bush

But I don't believe Mr. Gore is like that. I don't know, perhaps I will get a rude awakening. Perhaps I am just an idealistic fool. I suppose time will tell.

[Labors of Hercules]

191. Sometimes Idealism can be misplaced...

You are setting yourself up for disappointment here. This idealistic view of Gore doesn't take into account the fact that, while he is doing other extremely wonderful things outside of the political sphere right now, he is still functioning as a political figure. He is, for the time being, Vice President Al Gore, and has been for the past 14 years. Before that he was Senator Gore, and before that he was Congressman Gore.

You completely ignore the fact that Gore is highly motivated to accomplish more than he has already within the realm of politics. He has a title that he worked very hard for, but that title is limiting for him. If you are truly an idealist when it comes to Gore, recognize that he wants the presidency because of what he can accomplish in that final step in his political career.

And we surely can't think of him as a bad man for wanting that, and taking the right steps to make it happen when HE wants it to, and not before.

[Prophet 451]

240. Always does

The nice thing about being a cynic is that you're never disappointed but occasionally, you can be pleasently surprised.

[RestoreGore]

246. So true

We can always hope.

[flyarm]

9. Thank you Professor...this student absolutely agrees!! 100% he is out smarting them all!!

and the reougs know it and can do nothing about it..it is why they are bringing Fred Thompson forward and dangling him..they know Gore is running..but they can not control the message and they can not rush him..or manipulate him...Gore is in the drivers seat....no one knows these rethug bastards better than Pres Gore!! and no one understands the media any better!!

Thanks Professor!!

You get an "A"!!

RUN AL RUN!!

fly

[flyarm]

10. K&R!!!! get this baby up!! eom

[Straight Shooter]

51. See my new GORE-geous avatar?

Thank you for showing yours, so I can show mine. :hi:

[flyarm]

111. woo wooo shooter..looking good!!! looking Gore!! good!!

Your welcome!!..i hope we all get them on!!

RUN AL RUN!!...

hi Shooter!!:hi:

fly

[John Q. Citizen]

11. Yes indeed. Gore is in charge of his own message. He's getting as much media

coverage if not more than any of the other candidates. And it's on his own terms.

[Labors of Hercules]

16. And more people are paying attention to his coverage than are watching the debates... n/t

[mopinko]

12. ding ding ding

al will be the winner. you are exactly right.

[immoderate]

13. Yes, Gore is in the "center square..."

Boggles the mind though, though, to think how he got there. Years of public service and preparation of his mind -- the wins and losses. As a friend of mine, who was fond of stop light drag racing, used to say, "It's all about position."

--IMM

[mdelaguna2000]

14. Agreed (n/t).

[DFW]

15. It works either way, for sure

As a non-candidate, there are no poll numbers to flout (and
manipulate), and since he is EVERYWHERE and making exciting
news, the only thing to report is what he is really saying,
and not how many millions less he raised on Feb. 29 than
Hillary or Obama.

Whether or not he runs, he is getting more and better coverage
than he ever would as a candidate, and he STILL has the option
of not running, and the media can never scream that he said
otherwise. Very smart strategy, and his meaage is now out there
louder and clearer than anyone else's. Not that Obama, Edwards,
or Hillary have been silent--it's just that the MSM never report
in depth on them (depth hasn't been their strong point for a while
now). Gore, on the other hand, is the most well-covered non-candidate
out there. The closer Thompson gets to announcing, the closer he gets
to having his bones picked bare, whereas everyone knows that Al Gore
still has some weight to lose.

[Labors of Hercules]

17. "Weight to lose" ha! That's providential, that is!

I wonder if he isn't deliberately holding off on his rapid weightloss plan, knowing the longer he stays a little chunky the longer he can hold out as a non-candidate??
:think:

[ThomWV]

18. True that, but you can't keep it up forever. At some point you have to commit.

[ProfessorPlum]

19. I think he's probably thought of that. Planning, you know. Forethought.

[DFW]

20. It has gone out of style

You can't blame people for not knowing anymore what it is.

It's sort of like knowing the names of the the two
sidemen in the Jimi Henrix Experience.

[flyarm]

112. The vast amjority of Americans don't start opaying attention still Sept..when kids

go back to school and summer vacation is over...

I will gladly wait!!

fly

[flyarm]

131. opps i had some typos that i can't correct now..sorry!!! eom

[DURHAM D]

21. I also like the way he has positioned himself on

elective politics. He has said he is not good at it (running for office) and therefore he has lowered the bar on expectations for a perfectly run/orchestrated campaign. If he gets into the race and makes a mistake (as judged by the media) he can say "I told you I am not good at this game - I just state the facts as they exist..."

He has taken the moral high ground by working on so many issues important to the people and when the press starts reading from their trash Gore script provided to them by the right wing he can say "There you go again - you need to stop working from their talking points and start reporting on the things that are important to the American citizens."

It is also good branding for the Dems. Everyone is tired of having sand kicked in our faces - we want to fight back and get rid of our wuss image. Who better than a morally highgrounded big guy with a little extra weight.

It is time to run against the media - the American citizens are now ready for it and he is uniquely credentialed and positioned to do so.

[ProfessorPlum]

22. That's an excellent point

By showing that attitude towards the horse race, he really insulates himself against the "Gore is a liar" (or Gore made a mistake) story lines in an important way.

[dalaigh lllama]

23. Just what I've been thinking

Al Gore is a man who's been miles ahead of everyone else on so many things. I guess in my imagination he's been pondering the last few years on how to circumvent the toxic system currently in place, and has come up with a typically brilliant Gore solution. Before someone else says it, of course he's doing wonderful work right now from where he's at, but what better place to see that the global crisis is addressed, that the internet remains free, and that the constitution is restored, than from his position as POTUS?

I just finished reading "The Assault on Reason" last week. Here is a man who DEEPLY loves what this country used to stand for. I see him running for president not because he really wants to, but because he loves this country's lost ideals too much NOT to run.

President Gore! We're all ready to roll up our sleeves to work for you.

[dave29]

24. he is in complete command of his own message

the bottom line, Gore wins either way. I desperately hope he runs, but ultimately I pray that his message is heard. I have been marveling at his "campaign" for three years now.

[malaise]

25. Run Al Run!

:yourock:

[alkaline9]

26. I finally watched An Inconvenient Truth, and wow!

Gore is doing exactly what he needs to do to regain any lost respect from his crushing loss in 2000. But, he is doing much more as well. He is gaining support from new groups of people. He is voicing opinions about real life problems, without getting too preachy and without pointing fingers.

My biggest question (should he run) would be, who does he pick as a running mate? I truly believe THAT decision may make or break a landslide Gore win in 2008. You'd think as payback to Bill C for choosing him as running mate that he would choose Hillary... not in his best interests though. I'm sure many people see Lieberman as the reason he lost in 2000.

So, who does he choose? I can't even begin to wrap myself around that idea. He makes all others pale in comparison, so it seems that almost anyone would bring him down in one way or another.

[tblue37]

124. Clark would be a perfect running mate for him. (eom)

[diane in sf]

162. 2000 was a crushing theft--not loss. eom

[Drum]

27. I don't know history so well, but

I seem to recall reading in "Founding Brothers" (a book on the US revolution in the 1700s and the relationships between the major players) that Thomas Jefferson worked the same way. He never spoke about running for office, and showily dismissed suggestions to that effect, publicly, but others talked it up wildly.

It IS brilliant. :)

[WiseButAngrySara]

28. Excellent post and astute observations Professor! Run Gore, RUN!!!

:kick: and R!

[Mabus]

29. The term is "disintermediation"

It means that Gore is bypassing the usual press outlets (political/D.C. media) and finding a way to get his message directly to the people.

But more visionary than the content was the distribution method: the speech was Gore’s first -- but not his last -- offered under the auspices of the online-activism powerhouse MoveOn.org, an alliance that granted Gore a direct conduit to millions of engaged liberal activists nationwide. “I know the word fell out of favor after the dot-com collapse,” mused Wes Boyd, founder of MoveOn.org, “but he’s doing disintermediation. He contacted us in the summer of 2003, said he wanted to give a speech, and was wondering if we’d like to sponsor it. What we lend to it is some of that disintermediation.” Disintermediation is a big word for a type of subtraction, the sort that excludes the middleman (the “mediator”). As a dot-com term, it described producers selling directly to customers rather than working through established retail channels. In Gore’s case, it describes a public figure distributing his words directly to the public rather than working through established media outlets. The reason Gore sought this out, as former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt, Gore’s friend since 1961, told me, is that “Gore wants to make change, not be part of the distortive, stifling process of the mainstream media.” Speaking into the cameras, the former VP had learned, was like talking into one of those gag gift bullhorns -- what came out had little relation to what went in. “Gore’s own view,” says Hundt, “is that he sighed noisily in the debate and used the wrong telephone line to ask for money and the media said these are momentous events. Meanwhile, they ignore global warming and the failure to catch Osama and the destruction of the safety net.” So Gore sought a way to bypass the filter.

(emphasis added)
originally published in The American Prospect and written by Ezra Klein, the article can be found at http://www.pierretristam.com/Bobst/library/wf-138.htm

[Beetwasher]

30. "Media Jujitsu"

Great post! You are spot on!

[rucky]

31. Yep! It doesn't matter (yet) if he's running or not.

He's getting all the airtime he wants, and has the luxury of speaking his conscience.

[RestoreGore]

45. Which he will lose to a great extent if he goes back to the crap in Washington DC

Without the American people changing it first. That is exactly the premise of his book and what he also stated in interviews, one just this past Saturday.

[ellisonz]

174. I beg to disagree.

The Assault on Reason is all about leadership. I hope Al runs, if he doesn't, he has sold himself short. Moreover, the essential argument of The Assault on Reason is that all too much of the American citizenry has become paralyzed with fear and simply stopped being ingenious much less reflective in their solutions.

:7

[Greyskye]

32. i had this thought as well

When he started doing the rounds for his latest book, his answers struck me in the same way. I made comments to Mrs. Greyskye much along the same lines as you outlined above. Keeping my fingers crossed! :thumbsup:

[opihimoimoi]

33. THE POWER OF WIT...he has it....the Pen thing...its Mightier than the SWORD

Right over Might....

[Pacifist Patriot]

34. I'm about a quarter of the way through "Assault on Reason"

The man definitely knows media. I get a really sick feeling in my stomach when I think what this country could be like if the Supreme Court had not appointed a dogmatic moron to the presidency.

[stlsaxman]

127. I am in the middle of the audiobook and you are absolutely correct- he KNOWS the media...

he knows it thoroughly- from the development of the printing press through newsprint, radio on to television and up to the internet.

the most horrific of these being television in the assault on reason.

This is a truly wonderful book.

[Pacifist Patriot]

190. I'm listening to it on audio too. I admit I cringed a bit when he made...

a comment about iPods in the introduction, extolls the values of reading and there I was listening to his book while unloading the dishwasher. :)

[southerncrone]

161. He is a journalist by trade.

Was a reporter in Vietnam & for The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville. After 2000 tragedy, taught journalism at Middle Tennessee State University.

[Pacifist Patriot]

189. Yes I know, but I'm also closely tied to the newspaper industry...

and know plenty of journalists (shoot, add a couple of managing editors to that list) who don't know what Al Gore could hold in his little finger. Being a reporter, or even a journalism professor, doesn't necessarily mean you have the knowledge or savvy this book conveys.

[KoKo]

35. K&R!

[Swamp Rat]

36. Brilliant (non) campaign!! ............. GEAUX GORE!!

;)

:kick:

GEAUX GORE!!

[Cleita]

37. What I don't like about this is that I would like to know how he

intends to finance his campaign and who his contributors are. This tells me more than inspirational speeches what he actually will do as President and whom he's obligated to.

[ProfessorPlum]

38. I can't speak for the man myself

but it speaks volumes that he endorsed Dean in 2004. Can another internet financed candidate be far behind? :)

I get the feeling that all he needs to do is stamp his feet and he can raise lots of warriors for his campaign.

[Cleita]

39. Hopefully.

Since I'm tracking the contributions on Excel, the contribution patterns are really telling. Most of the candidates have been eliminated from my vote except the one for Dennis Kucinich that I will cast for the primaries. Before Gore runs though I would like to have his contribution money documented as well. Then maybe I will have two choices.

[kestrel91316]

103. He's making so much money off his books and lectures, he probably

can self-finance. Wouldn't THAT be a hoot!?

[stlsaxman]

128. yeah he can self-finance his campaign not to mention all the free air time he'll get as soon as he

says a simple three letter word- "yes".

:bounce:

[Cleita]

136. That would be a plus in my mind. It means he's

not obligated to anyone for favors.

[ellisonz]

175. I would point out that all of the profits from an Inconvenient Truth...

...went into global warming/climate change education programs. Correct me if I'm wrong on where all the money has gone, but Al is not a greedy man. I get so sick of the "all politicians are corrupt because they need money" meme. Have we no faith?

[Old and In the Way]

166. What's to finance?

I really think he can wait until the last minute and turn on the switch. He'd have all the name recognition he needs. I think he's on to something. While the other candidates beat each other up and spend time fund-raising to finance their traditional primary campaigns, Gore can focus on his message. He avoids the organized hit squad in the national media and he continues to promote his message without it being distorted.

If (and I hope it is when) he announces, it will be electrifying and I think it will dominate the news. If I were Gore, I'd wait to the very last minute. The only time limitation is filing deadlines. I could see him filing a week before the 1st primary....and he literally sucks up all of the political airtime through the primary. This is a low cost, no risk strategy....he's not beholden to Big Money interests, so he's not compromising his message. It is a brilliant strategy if this turns out to be the case.

[Cleita]

230. Will it dominate the news?

Or will another white girl get murdered that will dominate the news? You know how the "librul" media turns off the news, ignoring it, when it doesn't enhance the Republican agenda.

[amitten]

40. Totally true. And brilliant gets my vote. n/t

[Chico Man]

41. I hope you are right..

I really, really hope.

"True, in spite of my own convictions, I could not blot out hope, for hope lies in the future."

[RestoreGore]

42. So you are then saying this is all a ruse?

That all of this is simply a clandestine political campaign, and that he really doesn't believe what he wrote in his book? What he has stated about running in the same system that would only bring him back to square one? That the he has fallen out of love with politics line was a lie? Is that it, or is it just too hard for some to think that what he is saying about runnning is true so this is how they deal with it.

[Kurovski]

52. It looks like he--and we--are changing the system as we speak.

A Gore run is growing and he's not even in the race. He's not part of the corporate-manipulated debates, he's controlling the media and his message.

To quote one of your oft-repeated condescensions, "or is that just too hard to understand?"

[RestoreGore]

53. And that was a sincere question addressed to the OP, not the "usuals"

[ProfessorPlum]

56. Gore doesn't seem to be running in the same system

does he?

[RestoreGore]

58. He isn't running at all

Unless you think him a liar.

[ProfessorPlum]

61. What a clever logic trap you have caught me in!

Either I'm wrong, or Gore is a liar.

There certainly is no third possiblity. I bow to your superior reasoning skills.

[RestoreGore]

64. Well, based on his words you are calling him a liar

Doesn't take much to see that if you read his words and trust them.

[ProfessorPlum]

66. As I've said

you are 100% correct. There are only two possibilities, either I'm completely wrong or Gore is a liar. There is no other possibility.

[Samantha]

71. There might possibly be a third option

He might "change his mind" in the future from the position he has voiced in the past. Inside the Beltway, we call that "Washington Speak" which translates to a basic tenet of protecting one's position from revelation until it is strategically viable to show one's hand. Never Let Them Know What You Are Thinking is that basic tenet.

Think that might be a possibility?

Sam

[ProfessorPlum]

72. I knew someone might be able to crack this nut

Good on ya. :)

[RestoreGore]

82. Change his mind based on what?

All of the ills in his book suddenly disappearing in the next three months?

[Labors of Hercules]

96. I'd buy that. Yeah. Or at least, disappearing enough...

Enough for him to stick his foot in the door and push it open.

[stlsaxman]

132. Based on deciding he, along with "we the people" can CURE all of the ills in his book n/t

[NastyDiaper]

79. I'm going w/ he has not decided yet.

Which I think is what he's saying.

As outlined in your fine OP, Gore is putting himself in a position to run, on his terms. Good for that.

Disclaimer: Should Gore not run I will not attack him. In fact I will write an apology letter for any discomfort caused by my unsolicited urgings for his candidacy. I promise that it is not selfish ego, but rather honest, reasoned and benevolent choice behind this solicitation.

[dalaigh lllama]

117. .

:rofl:

[earth mom]

88. Gore NEVER said he is NOT running.

Your posts on this subject border on the ridiculous.

Why don't you leave those who believe Gore MAY BE-key word here-running alone? All your posts about this subject speak to an agenda that is quite transparent. :eyes:

[RestoreGore]

99. To explain this for the anklebiters...

He is not running AT ALL AT THIS TIME, nor do I believe he is USING HIS BOOKS TO DO SO, and I have every right to state that any time I choose to here. He is NOT running a stealth political campaign because he is not a candidate nor does he have plans to be a candidate. Those are HIS words. So with all due respect, get off nmy back, because the agenda of those who constantly harp on me here is VERY clear. I know what mine is, TRUTH, not the hype that some wish to perpetrate to give false impressions.

[kiteinthewind]

122. Nanny nanny boo boo. You're not the boss of me. So freakin' mature!

:eyes:

[Kurovski]

60. "RestoreGore", you're not in a closed forum. If you wish to have a private conversation

with the creator of a post, communicating via the Private Message feature will accomplish that.

[kiteinthewind]

121. Grrrr..That is NOT what he said. The point is, he can do BOTH. He can get his messages out there AND

gain support for his ideas about the problems with the way our government/country is run. That IS part of his platform. Can't you see he has the best of both worlds? And just think of how he could influence policy in the WH. It is a win-win. I don't get why you don't understand that he doesn't have to choose one over the other. He is a brilliant man and he can change the world in an environmental aspect AND get our country back on track. He is NOT a one trick pony. :argh:

[ellisonz]

177. That's politics, lady.

[RestoreGore]

208. Well, good thing Mr. Gore stated it was his former occupation then

[ellisonz]

257. That's not what he said.

He couldn't be apolitical even if he tried:eyes:

[RestoreGore]

261. He did say that last September

I believe in a very passionate speech he gave on the climate crisis at the NY Botanical Gardens. I will find it and post it for you.

[RestoreGore]

263. You can register here to see the webcast

http://www.nybg.org/climate_change/climate_change.php

[BlooInBloo]

43. At the very least, he's been able to avoid DUers ripping him to shreds thus far....

... We'll see how long that lasts - the mob is starting to hunger again...

[RestoreGore]

46. Yes, just wait if in the end he really does come out and say No

Which he shouldn't really have to do at this point, but I guess that really is more important to some than the message he is giving to us.

[Kurovski]

57. And now for the other side of that coin...

If he says yes and gets the nomination, and you continue to undermine his candidacy, there will be a problem.

We support Dems when they're actually the candidate, or we're banned.

Just a friendly reminder.

But now I'm wondering what would happen if he ran as an Independent. Hmmm...

[DKRC]

152. That has crossed my mind as well

A true Independent, or, what if he ran as the Green Party candidate? He definitely has the bona fides for the position. Either way it gives the people a 3rd option.

[ellisonz]

179. He's a Democrat, period.

[DKRC]

204. I think Gore can be anything he chooses to be, if he decides to run.

He's not playing by anyone's rules this time. And he's brilliantly working the system against itself with the media to get his message to the most people.
Personally, I don't care what letter is behind his name on a ballot. I'll vote for him again if he declares.

[mzmolly]

44. Your analysis is fantastic.

Thanks for the brilliant perspective. :toast:

[Hissyspit]

47. A couple of weeks ago I woke up thinking that (and pardon my vulgarity and sexism...)

Gore is engaged in either one of the biggest cock-teases in history or one of the most brilliant presidential candidacy strategies in history.

Well, I did.

[Kurovski]

63. LOL!

Time will tell.

It could indeed be to just keep focus on his message(s). There is no way to rule that possibility out, either.

[davidlynch]

48. ROFL--THEIR HAMSTER BRAINS ARE SPINNING GREAT POST n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

133. This calls for a visual ...

(OK, it's not a hamster. So sue me.)

[Kurovski]

151. That critter looks just like Wolf Blitzer.

If you factor out the rodent's high Q rating.

[yodermon]

49. He is an political Zen state (but can he maintain it if he runs?)

Ever seen "The Tao of Steve"? The premise was that Steve could sleep with any girl he wanted by:
1) don't express desire
2) do something heroic in front of her
3) then retreat

Note that Al Gore has "fallen out of love" with politics and says he "isn't a good politician", etc, etc. He's got the hero thing going on with the Katrina rescue he pulled off, but he's never mentioned it because he doesn't want to "toot his own horn". (well it's up to us, eh, so here):


He's the anti-politician, which makes him so, so appealing.

I'm worried, though, how things would change if he were to announce he's running. Could he maintain the current Zen state? He'd have to make all the typical candidate-noises, which would *by definition* detract from his message. Who knows, maybe he's figured out how to neutralize that too.

[orleans]

50. whooo!! go al! n/t

[Cronopio]

55. Ask any marketer - value-based campaigns are more effective because they don't focus on the product.

It's about presenting desirable values that the customer has already bought, then making a connection between those values and the product.

In the context of Gore's 5-year under-the-radar campaign, the value is environmental responsibility, and Gore hasn't presented himself as the product, just the messenger. Because of that, he can't be attacked or questioned as a product - the arguments have to be against the scientific evidence and the values he presents, not his personal quirks or political tactics, because his tactics aren't political. Just the results.

This is probably something that the likes of Bob Shrum will figure out in five years, maybe.

There's also the added benefit that Mother Nature herself is campaigning for him. If the effects of global warming weren't becoming so dramatically obvious to so many people, Big Al would still be widely dismissed as "Loser Gore."

I hope he waits until 6 months before the election, at most, to announce his candidacy. He shouldn't telegraph any punches, or give the opposition any time to fully organize against him. He's a known quantity though his years as an outspoken and proactive V.P., his 2000 presidential campaign, and his slideshows, so he doesn't need to formally campaign, and he's better off if he doesn't. And when he does run, I hope it's a populist Dean-style campaign, funded through the Internet, and as an Independent.

[ProfessorPlum]

59. thanks, that's interesting

Shrum has long ago lost hope of finding anything out. Somehow, losing big has become his gravy train (see Kos' book about how this little Democratic consultants scam works).

And Gore has to announce in time to get his name on the primary ballots. The timelines will be a bit different in every state, I would think, but most people seem to think the fall cuts it about close enough.

[Cronopio]

69. Sure, as late as possible given the legal requirements. nt

[RestoreGore]

62. So he is really selling the cliamte crisis as a product?

Doing the same thing he excoriated in his book? Sorry, I don't believe that for one second. And I simply cannot believe the remark you made about Mother Nature campaigning for him. It's almost as if some are wishing for a bad hurricane season to kill more people to make him more credible.

[Cronopio]

67. No, he's sellling the value of environmental responsibility.

The product could be an environmentally responsible Presidency - whether it's Gore in the Oval Office or someone else. That's why it's so difficult for the corporate lobbyists and Republican strategists to get a fix on a target - there isn't one.

The point is that the campaign should be about the values, whether or not it morphs into a Presidential campaign.

And the remark about Mother Nature is obviously metaphorical. No one should want global warming or its devastating effects, but the breakdown of the system that supports the causes of global warming obviously helps the cause of those trying to oppose it.

[BattyDem]

74. I never thought about it like that before, but ...

that's an excellent point! :toast:

Repugs always make the elections about values because they can't win on the issues. Along comes Al Gore with environmental responsibility and they don't know how to deal with it. It's a "moral value" of the highest degree. How can anyone argue against saving the planet we live on? What opposing position could someone possibly take? :shrug:


Thanks for bringing this up. It's definitely something worth thinking about. :-)

[Cronopio]

169. "What opposing position could someone possibly take?"

Spot on - they can't attack it directly, the best they can do is to try the "adopt and subvert" tactic. Like Bush is doing now with his b.s. plans to cut greenhouse emissions by 0.00002% over 20 years with voluntary corporate self-policing.

It's a compromised position for them to be in, because environmental responsibility isn't just a value, it's now a tangible, global issue with real economic effects. Unlike wonkish "trickle down economics" arguments or faux moral stands about abortion or drugs. How can you argue about a hurricane wiping out a major American city? You can't - you can only be judged on the effectiveness of your response to it and your ideas about dealing with it the next time.

I think historians will see Hurricane Katrina as even more fundamentally transformative of American politics than 9/11. It really did change the game in ways Beltway insiders are only beginning to understand, and it instantly legitimized Al Gore's politics. Not that I'm glad it happened, but if it weren't for Katrina, global warming for most Americans would still be about scientific reports about ice floes in far-off places like Greenland and Antarctica and Alaska.

[RestoreGore]

81. But they have fixed on a target to the tune of millions in a misinformation campaign

And you are correct in that it should be about values, but not just to sell it, but because it is about values and the end goal is to sincerely effect change, not sell a product.

[Cronopio]

172. They're wasting those millions as we speak.

Misinformation campaigns can work against issues like abortion or economics or political players that most people can have no direct experience of. The problem with a misinformation campaign against global warming is that everyone has a direct line into the issue itself. You can't spin a multi-year drought, or a hurricane that essentially shuts down a major American city and a good part of the nation's oil refineries, or mass evacuations from lowlands. Or rather, you can, but not for long.

Time has run out on the propagandists, and they can't spin fast enough to keep up with what is happening to the environment. And they all know that it's the system they've invested so much in that is the cause of all of it.

"... it should be about values, but not just to sell it ..."

At some point, the values need to be implemented. The values-based ad starts with a positive image of a happy, laughing group of friends, or the image of an approving look from a beautiful woman or guy, (or a negative image of a disapproving look) but the goal of the ad is to introduce the product as either the solution for the negative idea, or the cause of the positive idea.

Keeping the process in the harmless "value" stage indefinitely is the same as marginalizing the value. Gore's "product" can be either running for President, or continuing to promote the cause and challenging others to work within the Oval Office if he feels he's not in an advantageous situation to do that.

[RestoreGore]

186. Well I hope you're right

But based just on conversations here, it doesn't seem like the environment is getting too many outraged enough to join him in that effort as opposed to begging him to do it for them.

[tblue37]

125. He has to declare and file papers by a certain date, though,

in order to get on the ballot in every state for the primaries.

[flyarm]

135. Gore is very aware of when those dates are!! he is a lifelong Politician!! eom

[ellisonz]

180. My money is on 4 months from now.

He'll still need to win the Democratic primaries and given that they're front loaded there's no "Bobby Kennedy trick" here since he's going to need money and some sort of machine, which does take time. The primaries are still 7 months away. I could see Vice President Barack Obama dropping out and endorsing Gore along with Biden, Dodd, and maybe even Future Attorney General John Edwards. He'd crush Hillary.

[Uncle Joe]

65. Kicked and recommended

One thing I've noticed, whenever a pundit discusses "The Assault on Reason", their review almost always skips over the main points of the book, for example, how dysfunctional one way communication via television and to a lesser extent radio, by exalting the trivial and denigrating substance, has damaged our democratic republic.


Outstanding analysis, ProfessorPlum!

Thanks for the thread.

[BattyDem]

68. You're absolutely right! After reading "The Assault on Reason" ...

I honestly think he's running and here's why:

In the book, he talks about how political campaigns have been reduced to nothing more than 30-second television commercials that focus on personalities instead of issues. In other words, it's all style, no substance. In today's political climate, reality doesn't matter - it's the perception of reality that counts.

He believes that we need to find a way to eliminate those tactics, bring issues that affect the everyday lives of Americans into the forefront and bring the people back into the conversation of democracy. We've been watching him in recent months and we know that he's been doing exactly that. He's beating the media at their own game! He's using them to bring important issues back into the conversation, which will inevitably inspire ordinary people to become involved.

The man is brilliant! :patriot:

[firefox_fan]

70. The best way of campaigning is NOT to campaign at all!

Pretty clever... Let the other bozos fight it off and then step in fresh and ready after the mutual carnage...

[kestrel91316]

105. Exactly. He came right out and SAID how he hated the 600-day

campaigns we seem to have now.

[cui bono]

73. Gore really sees the big picture. We need him. nt

[tomreedtoon]

75. Gore is "smarting" himself out of the Presidency.

Yes, it is a neat gimmick to get the media's attention. But unless he knuckles down and becomes a real candidate, and fairly soon, he will be yesterday's news...again.

No political party will accept a candidate that doesn't participate in primaries. They may be stupid and slanted and wrong, but primaries expose a candidate to the voters, and to the opposition who would destroy the candidate. For Gore, both of those are critical.

Gore has to prove he can attract voters with his message. He's attracted the Democrats who are nostalgic and who are True Believers, but not necessarily the rank and file. That can only be proved in the primaries.

More critical for me, he has to prove he can take Republican attacks without shriveling. In his previous run, he did just that. If he does it again, what's the use of voting for him? And don't say that he's proven it with his non-candidate run. The Republicans aren't going to waste opposition research or dirty tricks on someone who isn't a candidate. Right now they're gearing up the attacks on Clinton: "She's a lesbian whore," "she's a fraud," "she couldn't satisfy her husband," and all the rest. Why bother with someone who isn't even running?

I think Gore might be the most popular candidate in 2008, and I believe if he follows through on what he's saying he might knock Clinton, Obama and the rest off the charts. But if he isn't going to be a candidate - soon - he'll be ignored by the Party, and we'll have another Republican President in 2008.

[ProfessorPlum]

77. do you mean the primaries, or debates?

Because I think Gore is participating in the primaries right now. The fact that the hasn't had to line up like a school child and be asked stupid questions by media presstitutes where he has to raise his hand like a grammar school student doesn't mean that voters aren't being exposed to his ideals and his message.

Ya know?

The problem in his run in 2000 was not his response to Republican attacks. It was his response to media attacks (see The Daily Howler 1999-2000). And I think he's getting a much better handle on how to deal with them.

[dave29]

98. Did you hear his response to the White House criticism of his book?

They threw the standard "serial exaggerator" line out that they always do.

Al Gore: "Unlike the State of the Union Address, this book was fact checked."

He is ready.

[kestrel91316]

106. IIRC no primaries until next year. He's got time to sit back and watch./

[zalinda]

76. Not only is he getting his message out

he is getting PAID for it. Every TV appearance he gets at least scale. He also gets money for lectures, so he is filling his coffers stealthily.

zalinda

[ProfessorPlum]

80. heh heh

New suit for 2007: $2500
Carbon offsets: $10,000
Making whorporate media pay for the privilege of forwarding non-traditional campaign: priceless!

[glitch]

107. LOL! K & R for brilliance nt

[DKRC]

154. That's a gem!

:yourock:

[flyarm]

130. yes and many many dems i know are holding back $$ until he jumps in

i have given stippens to another candidate ..but i am saving the Big bucks for Gore!!

Run Al Run!!!!!!!!!

fly;-)

[SharonRB]

83. Run, Al, run!

I'm in big trouble if he doesn't -- I have no one else I feel really comfortable voting for in the primary.

[DFW]

84. Gore doesn't have to say "no."

He has been saying that all along.

But he knows better than ALL the rest of them what it means to
have your every word, your every action, your every facial
expression picked apart by the MSM and handed as ammunition
to Rove and his clones, and used as a distraction from issues
that really affect the country (heaven forbid there should ever
be a deep and frank discussion about THAT!! Oh, no!! Give me
family values, haircuts, Reagan quotes, how often someone has been
to church, the text of the Pledge of Allegiance, ANYTHING but
substantive issues!).

The radical right depends, closing in on 100%, on emphasis on trivial
issues ("family values") or non-issues (Swiftboaters) because if the
debate ever turns to serious discussion of important issues, they lose.

They know it. We know it. Only the public doesn't know it, because it doesn't
fit well into a 30 second TV commercial or a 2 minute "debate (NOT!)"
response to Wolf Blabber. Whether he is running or not, Al Gore is right
to avoid that circus. If he decides to run, he'll have to subject himself
to the whole gauntlet again, and I'll bet the thought of it makes him ill--
not because it's fluff, but because it deliberately avoids a public discussion
of that which is vital to the country and its survival, and THAT is what he
wants.

As for who he'd pick for VP: I have no answer, but I have a suspicion. If one
looks back 3 years, it's not such a stretch. It's a man who promised not to
run for President in 2008, and Gore and he would have to keep absolutely
silent about it until two nights before the Denver convention ends.

Having been burned badly by Lieberman, I think that if he got the nomination
this time, he'd pick the kind of man he really wanted all along. Outspoken,
on a par with him politically, a quick wit, a dynamic and forceful personality
with solid progressive views. He'd be tempted to ask Wes Clark, but the man I
think he would want is Howard Dean.

[Kurovski]

85. Oh sweet Jesus, I just went insane with joy!

Dean? Dare I hope?

[DFW]

86. No, you do not.

But dreaming is permitted! :-)

[Kurovski]

87. I'll take it!

:-)

[DFW]

89. Would THAT be one hell of a ticket or WHAT?

[Kurovski]

90. Oh...I suppose.

What ARE YOU NUTS??!! :bounce:

YES!

[janx]

193. Shhhh!

;-)

[Nay]

129. Sweet Jesus. A Gore/Dean ticket?? I would die of happiness. But

not before I voted....

[DFW]

91. Howard is my MAN

A fellow Leo Kottke fan, too, how could he NOT be?

[Chico Man]

94. Ah yes, Leo Kottke..

Very nice.. seen the video here of him and the late Michael Hedges?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvU8pyCd03k

I did happen to catch Leo for the 1st time last winter, at Harvard.. very good time.

[DFW]

97. I first saw Leo in 1972

He has blown me away every time since.

[Cronopio]

167. Dean absolutely floored me with one appearence on Nightline in 2004.

Koppel spent half a segment throwing softballs at John Kerry - questions like "How's your wife?" and "How's the campaign trail treating you?" - before turning to Dean. Dean admitted up front that he was operating on caffiene and vapors after campaigning for 48 straight hours without sleep, and you could see the bags under his eyes even with heavy makeup.

First question from Koppel: "How would you resolve the Iraq situation?" I wanted to choke him (and his hairpiece).

BAM!, Dean was right there with a concise and cogent response. No matter what Koppel hit him with, he was ready - not just with fluff answers, but solid, reasoned arguments communicated effectively. That was the night he got my vote.

Dean was the most skilled candidate the Democratic Party had in 50 years, and they dealt with him in circular firing squad mode during the first primary debate. It still disgusts me when remembering it.

Unfortunately, it sounds like Dean is going to keep his promise and serve out the rest of his term as chairman, but I absolutely agree that a Gore/Dean ticket would be political manna. I think most Dems would forgive Dean if he changed his mind.

[earth mom]

92. Agree 100%! Look how Good Morning America ditched continuing an interview with Gore

a couple of weeks ago. He was controlling the dialogue with Diane Sawyer and she got snippy in that fake ass smiling way of hers, and tried to talk about his weight etc., and he wouldn't have it! LOL! Then she or "they" never brought him back as promised "later in the show". :grr:

The media will do ANYTHING to not talk about any of the issues that they themselves profit mightily from. Bastards-every one of them! :puke:


GO GORE! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Love Bug]

93. He's as coy as a Southern Belle at a Cotillion

I'm surprised he doesn't bat his eyelashes at the press. Go Al!

[DFW]

95. You know something?

In a way, I think that's exactly what he is doing.
It's probably driving them nuts, and every time,
he's probably thinking "heh heh, payback's a bitch, isn't it?"

[kestrel91316]

102. You hit the nail on the head. He gets to "campaign" on his terms,

without actually campaigning. He's constantly in the news, and the MSM has trouble attacking because HE'S in the driver's seat, and isn't a candidate (so attacking him seems silly and petty).

Keep doing what you're doing, Al. You're doing JUST FINE.

[krkaufman]

104. Gore *is* managing the media rather well ...

... but that doesn't mean he's intending to run or even considering it. He may just know that he can get more air time if the question remains unanswered, and so his priority causes (climate change and his latest book) can reach a wider audience by not definitively shutting the door on an '08 run.

Personally, I hope he runs. But in the short term, I'm glad he's using the media to his advantage.

p.s. It is also interesting that he is treated with more respect by the media now, in general, than at almost any time previous and definitely moreso than during the '00 campaign. Should he choose to run, the media's going rabid on him after announcing would be much more noticeable after a period of respectful deference.

[jgraz]

108. SHHHHHHH! Don't let anyone know!

Oh right -- the MSM doesn't read....never mind.

[Cronopio]

170. It's not like they can defend against it.

What can they do, put their own cameras up during his powerpoint speeches? He wins again if they do.

Nothing works better than a skilled communicator and a timely message. When that message works against the schemes of the corporatist mainstream media ... well, that's just too damn bad for them, isn't it?

[FogerRox]

109. I have not made a Shermanesque statement

[burythehatchet]

110. He's the first politician to have figured out the media

[cassiepriam]

113. I wondered when everyone would start to notice how smart Gore is being.

A brilliant campaign.

[DemBones DemBones]

114. It's a win-win strategy. nt

[cascadiance]

115. Who's advising him on how to do this? SURELY not Donna Brazille!

You are so right that he's got the press where he wants them.

When I heard the Union Tribune allege that he was going to be in the debate over the weekend, I thought "Damn, he's coming in too EARLY!" :) He's got to string this game out until August or September. Sure enough, he didn't play that wrong card!

[kiteinthewind]

116. Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner! I think you are spot on, ProfessorPlum! Gore has really set

it up to be able to talk about the issues, free from the campaign trail!

"Then he gets to talk about substantive issues, which of course the media otherwise would ignore in favor of how his poll numbers stack up against the other candidates, if he were announced." Absolutely!

"He knows if he were "running", they'd stop listening to what he was saying." Of course!

He IS brilliant and while 'not running' is able to address all of these issues instead of being in the 'candidate' category and having to play their stupid game.

Thank you, ProfessorPlum, for a most excellent post!!

:yourock:

[Bloody John Flynt]

118. His interviews make him look personable

which was something he kept getting hammered on in 2000. The more he speaks now, people see emotion and concern. I just finished his book and you can tell he really cares about the system and the country, but that he needs us to WANT it fixed. One of the things that keeps standing out is his emphasis on how whenever chimpy does something wrong or against the Constitution only a handful of people do say anything about it and nothing is really done. I know he hasn't said he would run, but to me he also hasn't emphatically denied it either.

[greiner3]

119. I'm straight, but;

I love that man!

[Lisa]

120. well, he did do his Harvard undergrad degree on these issues

So he's had plenty of time, and a quarter-century of firsthand experience, to examine things.

I seem to recall that his thesis was on the connection between the media and government (and he made some pretty accurate predictions about what kind of influence TV would have, on politics). I haven't been lucky enough to get a copy, but I suspect that some of his original work has resurfaced in "Assault on Reason". Never being content to just put the ideas out there, indeed he might have tried to figure out how to apply his knowledge to deal with the problem, as you suggest!

[ellisonz]

181. His senior thesis was on the effect of television on the balance of power between the 3 branches.

"Lotta good that senior thesis did me!"

[Lisa]

238. thanks for the update!

I knew that television played a key role in it, somewhere.

I'd lent out my copy of the new book, so I couldn't double-check the details. He actually did mention some of the points he covered in the thesis, in the New Yorker back before the 2000 election, only I've forgotten the precise date.

[ellisonz]

255. Good for you, the more who read it the better!

I'm going through it a chapter a night, just wrapped up "The Politics of Wealth."

[colorado_ufo]

123. Go Al, go!

[ksilvas]

126. I totally agree.

He's also doing something that all the candidates should be thinking
about, saving money.
Instead of flying around, meeting and greeting, he's saving
his funds for the final push. The real race.
We're still a year and a half out.
Why spend now, Given that the repugs always have more
funds at hand at the last minute.

[flyarm]

134. Remember this ..the rethugs hired people when Gore won to do the sore loser thing..

Gore does not forget that..and in summer time with high school and college kids availible..he is out smarting the neo nazi's ..he is doing concerts instead to bring the kids in to him..

and the summer of 2004 the retugs hired kids to go around to all the Kerry rally's with flip flops..those kids hounded Kerry where ever he went..

Gore is bringing those kids High School and College to him with his concerts and his message!!

If Gore holds off till September those kids and cheep labor will be back in school..and not available..FOR THE NEO NAZI'S MANIPULATION ..

I am telling you..Gore is Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!

RUN AL RUN!!

FLY

[madrchsod]

137. i`m thinking more about "voting" for gore .

after listening to this bunch candidates it strikes me they are`t offering all that much.

[Connonym]

138. Regardless of whether his intent is to run or just to forward awareness of global warming

he's totally playing the media and I love it. Even if he decided not to run it would behoove him to keep it quiet as long as he can so that his causes stay in the news.

[Kurovski]

139. Kick. (nt)

[some guy]

140. Intersting premise and thread

I pretty much haven't been paying attention to Mr Gore, though I have considered buying Assault On Reason, but haven't done so yet.

One more nudge in favor of me buying and reading it.

I don't care if he runs or not, but if this is his campaign, or pre-campaign I would agree it's brilliant.

Thank you for posting.

[disndat]

145. Fast forward to

September '07!

[Pastiche423]

146. Bravo, ProfessorPlum!

Your essay is spot on.

As I was sitting listening to our Secretary of State, Bill Bradbury, (who was in the 1st class of Climate Change messengers, personally trained by Al Gore), it dawned on me that Gore was using the "each one teach one" method.

All over the planet, people are educating others on climate change. What a brilliant strategy to get the message out quickly. Moreover, Al will have more time to govern our nation!

[DianaForRussFeingold]

148. K&R! I think he could get us out of Iraq and Restore our Reputation too

he would have a Task Force for Peace 'modeled after Chaney's energy task force' only with the Generals that were on the ground in Iraq. I could see him calling on General Clark,John Kerry or even a republican like McCain,if that is what is needed to get the job done. That's the kind of guy he is, competent and trustworthy. Look how he handled the situation in N O. He took charge of that situation. He made us proud! I believe he has the ability to restore Credibility,Respect and Honor. Al Gore would be an excellent advocate for peace, as well as the environment. Your Critique of his non-campaign is brilliant! :applause:

[Shoelace]

149. K&R! KO said he's 3rd in the polls now

behind Hillary and Obama. By the end of Summer, he'll be first. Hate to say it or even think it but a few hurricanes would get everybody's attention real fast. We love you Al.........
loveya:

[janx]

194. He's third in the polls...and he's not even "running"?!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

My GOD! :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Shoelace]

236. heh heh, gotta love that

wait 'till he announces!:party:

[flyarm]

150. think of How Gore is using the media!! he is getting lots and lots of free air time!!!

Talk about screwing those who have screwed you!!

I tell you..this is brilliant!!

My President Gore is brilliant!!

RUN AL RUN!!

fly

[Rosa Luxemburg]

157. A political messiah?

even if he doesn't run he is playing a huge part in trying to save the world!

[RestoreGore]

187. Amen!

And that is really the prize we should have our eye on.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

266. I can't wait for the concerts

[AtomicKitten]

155. Gore kicks ass.

:)

[Catamount]

158. Keeping my fingers crossed one more K&R

[Not Sure]

159. I could not agree more

You verbalized something that I've not been able to put my finger on. Well done! It looks like I'm not the only one.

[bleever]

160. Superb post, whether you're right or wrong,

or neither, or both.


Al Gore may be the only one thoroughly qualified to lead us into the post-9/11-fever world we face.

[Cronopio]

171. I hope not.

If it all comes down to Al Gore, we're in trouble. "Accidents" happen, all too easily. If he gets the Presidency, he's a media target all over again.

Fortunately, I don't believe he's the only qualified person. He may (nor may not) be the best, but not the only choice.

[Hekate]

164. Professor Plum, I like how you think. Well done. nt

[Old and In the Way]

168. I liked Gore in 2000.....I really, really like Al Gore in 2008.

My appreciation for him has grown tremendously over the past 8 years. Obviously for the "what might have been", but also because I saw a guy who wasn't destroyed by what the Republicans and their Media did to him in 2000. He could have become terminally bitter and withdrawn and I wouldn't blame him if he had. But he actually made himself a far more better person in this process. He may well have his moment where the 8 years in exile will work to make him a truly great President for the 21st century. Funny how things turn out sometimes...

[Kurovski]

173. Thanks, ProfessorPlum.

This feels like a breakthrough post on the topic of a Gore run.

[DFW]

176. It does one thing, at least

It takes the whole concept one step beyond the realm of wishful thinking.

The whole "what if" and "wouldn't it be nice" theme has been hashed and
rehashed, but now we're getting into the "how" and "why" part--post "what if."

It has always been my suspicion that if Hillary imploded that Gore would step in.
If it comes down to a Hillary vs. Al race, though, things will get very hot under
the Democratic collar, and poor Bill Clinton will be desperately looking for a ten
month project combating AIDS in Malawi, or something.

[Chico Man]

192. What would you think of a Gore / Clinton ticket?

We could recycle those signs and stickers from the 90's.. just turn them upside down.

[Apollo11]

178. GORE - OBAMA 2008

Al Gore is the best person for the job, in terms of his experience, knowledge, intelligence and judgement.

I am dreaming of a Gore-Obama ticket in 2008. But there is no hurry for Gore to enter the race.

I think Al Gore is keeping his options open right now, watching how the "pre-season" goes. I don't think he yet knows what he will do. My guess is that the chance of him entering the race is somewhere around 40% and rising.

Gore's current line - "I have no plans to be a candidate" - tells us that right now (today) he has no plans to run. But it doesn't prevent him from changing his plans and making new plans during the coming months.

Gore has been doing a great job raising public awareness about the climate crisis, with An Inconvenient Truth winning the Oscar for best documentary, and lots of media attention around the Congressional Hearing on March 21st. Plus yesterday (June 6th) he was awarded the highest honor in the Kingdom of Spain - the Prince of Asturias Award 2007.

Gore is getting lots of attention right now around his new book The Assault on Reason. The theme of this book - why we need better decision-making in government - is highly relevant to the 2008 election (whether Al runs or not). The book is Number 1 on the NY Times list! Gore has been on every show you can think of (Daily Show, Larry King Live, Letterman, etc.) getting his message across and keeping himself in the public eye.

Gore is also leading Live Earth with concerts across the globe on 7/7/07 -- all with the aim of raising awareness and pushing for action to address the climate crisis.

Depending on how things pan out, and the reaction to his book, Gore can consider his situation over the summer and announce his decision (or if you prefer - "change his mind") sometime in the fall.

It all depends on the circumstances. In September, if the race for the Dem nomination is still wide open and Hillary's campaign is in trouble, it might create the conditions for Gore to enter the race.

Right now everything seems to be lining up just right. Recent polls show Hillary's support stuck at around 30% or 35% of registered Democrats. Obama is catching up and Gore's numbers are climbing! So the race is still wide open.

Don't forget that Bill Clinton did not kick-off his campaign until October 1991. But Al Gore already has nationwide respect and name recognition that other wannabees can only wish for!

I say that Gore can wait until Sunday November 4th. Exactly one year out from the election, and 10 weeks before Iowa caucuses. Maybe on one of the Sunday TV talk-shows?

Unless and until Gore endorses another candidate, we have to assume that he is keeping his options open. So it is too soon for those of us who prefer Gore to switch our allegiance.

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF AL GORE
By Eric Pooley
TIME Magazine -- May 17, 2007
Let's say you were dreaming up the perfect stealth candidate for 2008, a Democrat who could step into the presidential race when the party confronts its inevitable doubts about the front runners. You would want a candidate with the grass-roots appeal of Barack Obama -- someone with a message that transcends politics, someone who spoke out loud and clear and early against the war in Iraq. But you would also want a candidate with the operational toughness of Hillary Clinton -- someone with experience and credibility on the world stage.
In other words, you would want someone like Al Gore -- the improbably charismatic, Academy Award-winning, Nobel Prize-nominated environmental prophet with an army of followers and huge reserves of political and cultural capital at his command.
...
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1622597,00.html

Let's all find ways to show our support for Al Gore! :patriot:

Visit Al's site www.algore.com and read his blog http://blog.algore.com

Get ready for Live Earth on 7/7/07: www.liveearth.org

Sign the petitions at www.algore.org and www.draftgore.com

:kick:

[mirrera]

188. You are so right! His book is excellent...

and he actually gets to share his vision without talking "poll numbers", or "what do you think of what this or that candidate said". I could see him running and it will all fall apart because the media will then spend all their time debating about his trickery or his flip floppyness or blah blah blah. I do think he could work well with the other candidates as an outside advisor if he doesn't run and they become president. John Edwards seems to have an agressive plan change. he is the only one who seems to have taken what Gore says seriously. it is interesting that he does not go out of his way to bring it up, but when it is brought up in private interviews, he gets it.

[npincus]

195. true, BUT...

Gore has recently taken to musing that he's not "good at politics", "not a good politician" and I believe that's authentic.

Personally, I think that Gore would run if he KNEW with 100% certainty that he would win, but the pain of what he went through is so deep, that the uncertainty in his own mind, the possiblity of losing, may hold him back.

Just my O-pinion. I do think he is definitely on the fence, though, and has NOT decided NOT to run. On his Larry King appearance he instatly said "no!" to King's question about whether he would accept a Cabinet position in 2009. But he has NOT responded in kind to the questin about whether he will run, so that's the indicator that he IS considering it.

He is on a mission, and at the end of the day, hopefully will throw caution to the wind and run, because he will have the most influence as President to do what he feels is imperative.

Please run, Al.

[janx]

196. "...not good at politics..."

But that just bolsters Prof. Plum's thesis even more. He's NOT good at the way the system works, and we're tired as hell of it as well. Face it guys, this early primary dog and pony show is boring!

Gore knows we're waiting for him.

In 2000, he made a point of making an announcement that he would not run, and he told us why. He is just as candid (maybe more so) today as he was back then.

[npincus]

197. I hope he decides to run a revolutionary campaign

and buck the games he despises, just run the campaign he'd like to run. Americans would respond.

I'll drop everything and volunteer for him if he does decide to run.

[janx]

198. I agree!

:hi:

[npincus]

199. back at ya!

:hi:

[Labors of Hercules]

243. Maybe I'm crazy, but it looks to me like he already is!

Totally agreed! I'd support a Gore revolution all the way! :toast:

[Bloody John Flynt]

200. I tend to agree

It seems to me that he is waiting and watching to see how things fall out with the other candidates and if we make a very hard push for him to run. If the American public were to start begging or asking him to run I think he would do it. This is just my opinion but that is the way things look to me. Personally, I really hope he does run.

[Apollo11]

213. Gore has "zero interest" in working for the next President

Al Gore refuses to rule out being a candidate at some point in the future.

He has said in other interviews that there is no other job or position with as great a potential to lead and affect change as that of POTUS.

He said that "probably" he will endorse one of the candidates seeking the Democratic nomination - but he hasn't decided yet.

He underlined that the election in still a long way off. He mentioned "500 days" which tells us that he is counting the days until the election!

But he did rule out the possibility of serving in a cabinet position under the next President.

KING: Why not take the Sherman approach? Why not say, I don't want to run, and if nominated, I won't serve?

GORE: Or whatever. Well, I see no reason to do that. Why would I do that?

KING: Because when you don't, you leave things open.

GORE: Well, look, I'm 59 years old, 59 is the new 58.

KING: And you're 40.

GORE: Well, I have not closed the door at some point in the future to consider being a candidate.

<...>

KING: Let me get another call in from Lexington, Kentucky. Hello.

CALLER: Thank you, Mr. King.

Mr. Gore, given the foreign policy expertise that you have exhibited on Mr. King's show tonight and the expertise that you gave to the administration of President Bill Clinton, would you consider the secretary of state position in a Democratic presidential administration?

GORE: Thank you for your kind words, but, no.

KING: No cabinet position?

GORE: No.

KING: No federal position?

GORE: No. Not because I don't have the greatest respect for what an honor it would be to serve in such a position, but I have -- I have zero interest in doing something like that.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0705/22/lkl.01.html

[JNelson6563]

201. I think this toon says it all

:toast:

[ProfessorPlum]

203. Exactly!

Great toon.

[RestoreGore]

207. If he does ever think of running again he should do it outside the status quo

And not as part of ANY party that has aided in the corruption of this country's Democratic system, and ONLY after the people enmasse in this country show they have earned such a man by doing what needs to be done to clean it up. And that surely has NOT happened yet by any stretch of the imagination.

[janx]

209. He's doing so outside of the status quo now.

That's the point! ;-)

[RestoreGore]

217. Oh, so he wouldn't "officially" run as a Democrat?

Because if he does, would he not then be a part of the status quo in Washington DC?

[janx]

218. Should he run, he will do so as a Democrat.

But he certainly isn't status quo now, nor would he be should he decide to officially jump in. That much is a given.

[RestoreGore]

222. Well, he would be seen as such, which is the real point.

[janx]

224. He would be seen as what?

Status quo? Hardly. A Democrat? Of course!

[RestoreGore]

247. Yes, status quo

There is much disillusionment out here regarding DC politicians across the board. Surely you aren't going to deny that.

[janx]

251. Gore is definitely not status quo. n/t

[RestoreGore]

259. I didn't say he was... I said people would think that

Do others simply not read the words typed or are they just intent on twisting them? Forget it, you obviously do not wish to discuss this seriously either. You know damn well what I was talking about. Politics is perception, and as Al Gore knows from the past that leads many times to false conclusions which impede real progress. I will leave it there however, as you and others obviously are deternmined to do nothing but twist words and meanings.

[ellisonz]

256. Well, Chariman Howard Dean is not DC...

Gore endorsed Dean in 2004 and so it is illogical to think that he would run as an "independent," whatever the hell that is, or as a Green. He's a Democrat to the core.

Edit: DC not DLC, lol.

[Apollo11]

225. Please listen to what the man says!

Al Gore on Larry King Live, June 13, 2006

KING: Will you support no matter who the Democrat is?

GORE: I'm certain.

KING: Will you support Hillary?

GORE: I'm certain I'd support the nominee.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/13/lkl.01.html

[Apollo11]

215. Gore believes in taking back the Democratic Party

He believes in changing the system from within.

He respects the primary process and the choice of the voters.

He would never run against the Democratic nominee.

He has said he is "certain" he will support the Democratic nominee.

Just like he did everything John Kerry asked of him back in 2004.

Gore is not alone. He is not the only progressive in the Democratic Party.

He has millions of allies. Starting with Howard Dean and the "netroots".

Obama and Edwards are both saying lots of Gore-like things.

Why would Gore give up on the Democratic Party and walk away?

The Party to which he has dedicated the last 40 years of his life!

Let's all find ways to show our support for Al Gore! :patriot:

Visit Al's site www.algore.com and read his blog http://blog.algore.com

Get ready for Live Earth on 7/7/07: www.liveearth.org

Sign the petitions at www.algore.org and www.draftgore.com

:kick:

[janx]

216. kickeroo, because

I was late to the party! :party:

[Name removed]

229. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Chico Man]

231. Time will tell

And name calling isn't nice. I'd prefer not to let the corporate media cowboy have it's way and herd me on that bandwagon of Clinton v. Obama, an already tired race full of fake talking points, makeup, and political correctness. What we don't need is politics as usual, decorated by a fancy CNN backdrop.

[janx]

234. Thank you.

:patriot:

[Kurovski]

248. Hello Janx!

I see your pup is doing fine. :hi:

[janx]

250. Where've you been, man?

It looks as if you were up late last night! This is one mammoth thread! :hug:

[Kurovski]

252. I was!

Look what else happened last night. I'm betting you would have loved to have joined the festivities. Just one vile joke after another. :-) See you! GO GORE!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1057390

[janx]

253. You are correct!

I wish I hadn't missed that! :rofl:

Hafta geta bed now though. Take care...later...!

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

237. Gephardt is Republican-lite and Gore is a progressive

Newspeak indeed.

Last time I checked, Gephardt fought against NAFTA. Gore stumped for it.

[ellisonz]

258. NAFTA is not the central issue.

[RestoreGore]

260. The media would make it so along with everything else from the past

And people out here and on these blogs would be doing nothing but arguing instead of talking about issues and the future. I know that as a given already.

[ellisonz]

262. Not really...

I think you underestimate Gore and over-estimate the power of the establishment to control educated people's minds.

This is DU, we fight, we bicker, we make Matcom jokes, we kiss, and make-up.

[RestoreGore]

264. Not after reading The Assault on Reason I don't

And living through these last seven years. It would be about theh past and many people in this country would be swayed which is exactly why he wrote the book to begin with. You can refuse to see it because it does not reinforce your opinion, but it is there nonetheless.

[ellisonz]

265. The Assault on Reason also points out that the public is bordering on "refeudalization."

In response to your above post, the most recent statement Al Gore has made on the matter of politics is the following:

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former U.S. vice president
Al Gore says he has "fallen out of love with politics" and does not want to run for president although he has not ruled it out completely.

"If I do my job right, all the candidates will be talking about the climate crisis," Gore said in an interview with Time Magazine released on Thursday.

"And I'm not convinced the presidency is the highest and best role I could play."

He added, "It would take a lot to disabuse me of the notion that my highest and best use is to keep building that consensus."

Asked what it would take for him to run, Gore said, "I can't say because I'm not looking for it. But I guess I would know it if I saw it. I haven't ruled it out. But I don't think it's likely to happen."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070517/pl_nm/gore_interview_dc

These are incredible times...and as has been pointed out to you above, Al can always "change his mind," and this is not to construe some nefarious plan, but if the man did not love this country he would not be keeping the schedule he does. May I dare say Mr. Gore if you're out there: the Presidency is the ultimate consensus building position.

And with that I'm going to sleep because I have work in the morning...

[Initech]

241. See, this is why Gore should be president!

I don't want a guy you could drink a beer with. I want an elitist! I want somebody that knows their shit! I want somebody who has their act together and can get things done, unlike Bush who is... none of those things.

So far Gore is the only (non) candidate I would fully support 100%.

[MagickMuffin]

254. Al, Is waiting for the appropriate time

He doesn't have to jump in now and what purpose would it serve at this time. He knows all to well how he would be treated in the media. Been there Done that. He is also well aware that the media portrayed him with smears and half truths and flat out lies, hell the media even came out and said as much.

So yes professor, Gore is playing this like a well strung Stradivarius.