Gore says he may re-enter politics

[FourScore]

Gore has always said that he must have a very compelling reason to run for President if he were to decide to re-enter politics...Could the part I put in bold be compelling enough for him?

August 08 2007 at 03:25PM

Singapore - Former US Vice President Al Gore said Wednesday that he may return to politics in the future but repeated his position that he has no plans to enter the 2008 presidential race.

"I may re-enter politics at some point in the future because I'm only 59 years old," Gore told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Singapore.

Gore said he has "no plan" to run in the 2008 presidential election but aims to make the environment a focus of public discussion during the campaign.

"There is no single candidate that is putting forward a comprehensive argument about the environment or making climate change a priority," Gore said.

"I will continue to work so that public opinion will push all candidates to make climate a priority."

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=nw20070808093403512C645821



Please reassure him that we've got his back:

Here: http://www.gorehub.com/

And here: http://www.rundammit.com/

And sign the petition here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/al-gore-dfa-poll/
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=nw20070808093403512C645821

[peace frog]

1. For gawd's sake, YES PLEASE!

For the good of your country, PLEASE 're-enter politics' in the form of a presidential run!

[connecticut yankee]

153. And NOW!!!!!

Please, please, pretty please!

[speakclearly]

156. He's been "tesing us" for a year now.....

Get on with it. Run or endorse someone. This "dance of the seven viels" is starting to get tiring!

[jobycom]

171. He has more influence by not doing so

If he enters the race, he's just another candidate, and has to campaign on what the media and other candidates ask him. If he says he isn't running, the other candidates aren't afraid of him anymore. If he endorses a candidate, then no one has to court his vote anymore.

He gets more mileage by doing this dance. He knows what he's doing.

[speakclearly]

195. maybe so...

but it's "creeping me out". Fred Thompson "isn't running", but makes it clear he will. Gore is just doing this "peek-a-boo" stuff that is irritating.

I might run. Naw, just joshing. Gotcha, I am thinking about returning to politics. I want more time with my family, and running for office would take that away. Someone needs to speak up on the importnat issues, and if no one else will, I may ahave to enter the race.

I mean, just do it already! Say you are in or out. You can still have influence by calling the conadidates out on the issues. Maybe host a debate. But the "kabuki dance" is getting to be too much. Its too cute by half, as they say. If you are still not sure, make that statement, just don't back out of it the following week by calling it "taken out of context"!

Is this the equivalent of "waterboarding" in a primary race?

[Uncle Joe]

217. If, its "waterboarding", we're drowning in a Sea of Love

:)

Personally though, I believe the people getting most irritated by him not ruling out running in 08 (future tense) are the people supporting another candidate. I don't believe Al Gore is trying to be cute, so much as weighing the enormous pros and cons of running and how this could effect the critical humanity threatening subject of global warming climate change. No other candidate is tied as closely to this vital issue, thus making it much easier for them to decide to run or not, for their loss would not be so devastating to the subject of climate change. In the mean time, Al Gore is working diligently and effectively as a "non-President" in changing the world, especially the U.S.'s perception of this global threat, he is not sitting on his laurels.

It all depends on whoever the O.P. is and what they want to focus on, this statement is not much different than what Al Gore has said before. He's not planning on running in 08 (present tense) but he's not ruling out returning to politics in the future, and I guess it all depends on what your view of the future is, whether it be this November/December or 2012, as they both pertain to the future, either is correct.

As I believe Al Gore is head and shoulders above the rest of the field and the times are screaming for his vision and leadership, I will support whatever ultimate decision he makes, in his own time.

[Fovea]

219. This strategy may be in response to the long season

Gore stays out of damaging debates. But I agree that it tries the patience of those he needs the most, his base.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

210. The MEDIA has been teasing us more than he has...

Unfortunately, Al has stated many times in many ways that he is not interested in running for President in the 2008 election.

[LiberalFighter]

187. The environment should not be the only reason he should run

[goodsnservices]

261. It isn't... Listen to his words here reprinted

The Assault on Reason tells us that Al Gore is deeply concerned with restoring the balance of power in government, as well as reliance on the constitution and the rule of law. Remember the speech he gave right after the Abu Graib abuses came to light? Here reprinted in part. The points he made three years ago are just as relevant today:

Remarks by Al Gore
May 26, 2004
As Prepared

George W. Bush promised us a foreign policy with humility. Instead, he has brought us humiliation in the eyes of the world.

He promised to "restore honor and integrity to the White House." Instead, he has brought deep dishonor to our country and built a durable reputation as the most dishonest President since Richard Nixon.

Honor? He decided not to honor the Geneva Convention. Just as he would not honor the United Nations, international treaties, the opinions of our allies, the role of Congress and the courts, or what Jefferson described as "a decent respect for the opinion of mankind." He did not honor the advice, experience and judgment of our military leaders in designing his invasion of Iraq. And now he will not honor our fallen dead by attending any funerals or even by permitting photos of their flag-draped coffins.

How did we get from September 12th , 2001, when a leading French newspaper ran a giant headline with the words "We Are All Americans Now" and when we had the good will and empathy of all the world -- to the horror that we all felt in witnessing the pictures of torture in Abu Ghraib.

To begin with, from its earliest days in power, this administration sought to radically destroy the foreign policy consensus that had guided America since the end of World War II. The long successful strategy of containment was abandoned in favor of the new strategy of "preemption." And what they meant by preemption was not the inherent right of any nation to act preemptively against an imminent threat to its national security, but rather an exotic new approach that asserted a unique and unilateral U.S. right to ignore international law wherever it wished to do so and take military action against any nation, even in circumstances where there was no imminent threat. All that is required, in the view of Bush's team is the mere assertion of a possible, future threat - and the assertion need be made by only one person, the President.

More disturbing still was their frequent use of the word "dominance" to describe their strategic goal, because an American policy of dominance is as repugnant to the rest of the world as the ugly dominance of the helpless, naked Iraqi prisoners has been to the American people. Dominance is as dominance does.

Dominance is not really a strategic policy or political philosophy at all. It is a seductive illusion that tempts the powerful to satiate their hunger for more power still by striking a Faustian bargain. And as always happens - sooner or later - to those who shake hands with the devil, they find out too late that what they have given up in the bargain is their soul.

One of the clearest indications of the impending loss of intimacy with one's soul is the failure to recognize the existence of a soul in those over whom power is exercised, especially if the helpless come to be treated as animals, and degraded. We also know - and not just from De Sade and Freud - the psychological proximity between sexual depravity and other people's pain. It has been especially shocking and awful to see these paired evils perpetrated so crudely and cruelly in the name of America.

Those pictures of torture and sexual abuse came to us embedded in a wave of news about escalating casualties and growing chaos enveloping our entire policy in Iraq. But in order understand the failure of our overall policy, it is important to focus specifically on what happened in the Abu Ghraib prison, and ask whether or not those actions were representative of who we are as Americans? Obviously the quick answer is no, but unfortunately it's more complicated than that.

There is good and evil in every person. And what makes the United States special in the history of nations is our commitment to the rule of law and our carefully constructed system of checks and balances. Our natural distrust of concentrated power and our devotion to openness and democracy are what have lead us as a people to consistently choose good over evil in our collective aspirations more than the people any other nation.

Our founders were insightful students of human nature. They feared the abuse of power because they understood that every human being has not only "better angels" in his nature, but also an innate vulnerability to temptation - especially the temptation to abuse power over others.

Our founders understood full well that a system of checks and balances is needed in our constitution because every human being lives with an internal system of checks and balances that cannot be relied upon to produce virtue if they are allowed to attain an unhealthy degree of power over their fellow citizens.

Listen then to the balance of internal impulses described by specialist Charles Graner when confronted by one of his colleagues, Specialist Joseph M. Darby, who later became a courageous whistleblower. When Darby asked him to explain his actions documented in the photos, Graner replied: "The Christian in me says it's wrong, but the Corrections Officer says, 'I love to make a groan man piss on himself."

What happened at the prison, it is now clear, was not the result of random acts by "a few bad apples," it was the natural consequence of the Bush Administration policy that has dismantled those wise constraints and has made war on America's checks and balances.

The abuse of the prisoners at Abu Ghraib flowed directly from the abuse of the truth that characterized the Administration's march to war and the abuse of the trust that had been placed in President Bush by the American people in the aftermath of September 11th.

There was then, there is now and there would have been regardless of what Bush did, a threat of terrorism that we would have to deal with. But instead of making it better, he has made it infinitely worse. We are less safe because of his policies. He has created more anger and righteous indignation against us as Americans than any leader of our country in the 228 years of our existence as a nation -- because of his attitude of contempt for any person, institution or nation who disagrees with him.

He has exposed Americans abroad and Americans in every U.S. town and city to a greater danger of attack by terrorists because of his arrogance, willfulness, and bungling at stirring up hornet's nests that pose no threat whatsoever to us. And by then insulting the religion and culture and tradition of people in other countries. And by pursuing policies that have resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent men, women and children, all of it done in our name.

President Bush said in his speech Monday night that the war in Iraq is "the central front in the war on terror." It's not the central front in the war on terror, but it has unfortunately become the central recruiting office for terrorists. The unpleasant truth is that President Bush's utter incompetence has made the world a far more dangerous place and dramatically increased the threat of terrorism against the United States. Just yesterday, the International Institute of Strategic Studies reported that the Iraq conflict " has arguable focused the energies and resources of Al Qaeda and its followers while diluting those of the global counterterrorism coalition." The ISS said that in the wake of the war in Iraq Al Qaeda now has more than 18,000 potential terrorists scattered around the world and the war in Iraq is swelling its ranks.

The war plan was incompetent in its rejection of the advice from military professionals and the analysis of the intelligence was incompetent in its conclusion that our soldiers would be welcomed with garlands of flowers and cheering crowds. Thus we would not need to respect the so-called Powell doctrine of overwhelming force.

There was also in Rumsfeld's planning a failure to provide security for nuclear materials, and to prevent widespread lawlessness and looting.

Luckily, there was a high level of competence on the part of our soldiers even though they were denied the tools and the numbers they needed for their mission. What a disgrace that their families have to hold bake sales to buy discarded Kevlar vests to stuff into the floorboards of the Humvees! Bake sales for body armor.

And the worst still lies ahead. General Joseph Hoar, the former head of the Marine Corps, said "I believe we are absolutely on the brink of failure. We are looking into the abyss."

When a senior, respected military leader like Joe Hoar uses the word "abyss", then the rest of us damn well better listen. Here is what he means: more American soldiers dying, Iraq slipping into worse chaos and violence, no end in sight, with our influence and moral authority seriously damaged.

Retired Marine Corps General Anthony Zinni, who headed Central Command before becoming President Bush's personal emissary to the Middle East, said recently that our nation's current course is "headed over Niagara Falls."

The Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Army Major General Charles H. Swannack, Jr., asked by the Washington Post whether he believes the United States is losing the war in Iraq, replied, "I think strategically, we are." Army Colonel Paul Hughes, who directed strategic planning for the US occupation authority in Baghdad, compared what he sees in Iraq to the Vietnam War, in which he lost his brother: "I promised myself when I came on active duty that I would do everything in my power to prevent that ... from happening again. " Noting that Vietnam featured a pattern of winning battles while losing the war, Hughes added "unless we ensure that we have coherence in our policy, we will lose strategically."

The White House spokesman, Dan Bartlett was asked on live television about these scathing condemnations by Generals involved in the highest levels of Pentagon planning and he replied, "Well they're retired, and we take our advice from active duty officers."

But amazingly, even active duty military officers are speaking out against President Bush. For example, the Washington Post quoted an unnamed senior General at the Pentagon as saying, " the current OSD (Office of the Secretary of Defense) refused to listen or adhere to military advice." Rarely if ever in American history have uniformed commanders felt compelled to challenge their commander in chief in public.

The Post also quoted an unnamed general as saying, "Like a lot of senior Army guys I'm quite angry" with Rumsfeld and the rest of the Bush Administration. He listed two reasons. "I think they are going to break the Army," he said, adding that what really incites him is "I don't think they care."

In his upcoming book, Zinni blames the current catastrophe on the Bush team's incompetence early on. "In the lead-up to the Iraq war, and its later conduct," he writes, "I saw at a minimum, true dereliction, negligence and irresponsibility, at worst, lying, incompetence and corruption."

Zinni's book will join a growing library of volumes by former advisors to Bush -- including his principal advisor on terrorism, Richard Clarke; his principal economic policy advisor, former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, former Ambassador Joe Wilson, who was honored by Bush's father for his service in Iraq, and his former Domestic Adviser on faith-based organizations, John Dilulio, who said, "There is no precedent in any modern White House for what is going on in this one: a complete lack of a policy apparatus. What you've got is everything, and I mean everything, run by the political arm. It's the reign of the Mayberry Machiavellis."

Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki told Congress in February that the occupation could require "several hundred thousand troops." But because Rumsfeld and Bush did not want to hear disagreement with their view that Iraq could be invaded at a much lower cost, Shinseki was hushed and then forced out.

And as a direct result of this incompetent plan and inadequate troop strength, young soldiers were put in an untenable position. For example, young reservists assigned to the Iraqi prisons were called up without training or adequate supervision, and were instructed by their superiors to "break down" prisoners in order to prepare them for interrogation.

To make matters worse, they were placed in a confusing situation where the chain of command was criss-crossed between intelligence gathering and prison administration, and further confused by an unprecedented mixing of military and civilian contractor authority.

The soldiers who are accused of committing these atrocities are, of course, responsible for their own actions and if found guilty, must be severely and appropriately punished. But they are not the ones primarily responsible for the disgrace that has been brought upon the United States of America.

Private Lynndie England did not make the decision that the United States would not observe the Geneva Convention. Specialist Charles Graner was not the one who approved a policy of establishing an American Gulag of dark rooms with naked prisoners to be "stressed" and even - we must use the word - tortured - to force them to say things that legal procedures might not induce them to say.

These policies were designed and insisted upon by the Bush White House. Indeed, the President's own legal counsel advised him specifically on the subject. His secretary of defense and his assistants pushed these cruel departures from historic American standards over the objections of the uniformed military, just as the Judge Advocates General within the Defense Department were so upset and opposed that they took the unprecedented step of seeking help from a private lawyer in this city who specializes in human rights and said to him, "There is a calculated effort to create an atmosphere of legal ambiguity" where the mistreatment of prisoners is concerned."

Indeed, the secrecy of the program indicates an understanding that the regular military culture and mores would not support these activities and neither would the American public or the world community. Another implicit acknowledgement of violations of accepted standards of behavior is the process of farming out prisoners to countries less averse to torture and giving assignments to private contractors

President Bush set the tone for our attitude for suspects in his State of the Union address. He noted that more than 3,000 "suspected terrorists" had been arrested in many countries and then he added, "and many others have met a different fate. Let's put it this way: they are no longer a problem to the United States and our allies."

George Bush promised to change the tone in Washington. And indeed he did. As many as 37 prisoners may have been murdered while in captivity, though the numbers are difficult to rely upon because in many cases involving violent death, there were no autopsies.

How dare they blame their misdeeds on enlisted personnel from a Reserve unit in upstate New York. President Bush owes more than one apology. On the list of those he let down are the young soldiers who are themselves apparently culpable, but who were clearly put into a moral cesspool. The perpetrators as well as the victims were both placed in their relationship to one another by the policies of George W. Bush.

How dare the incompetent and willful members of this Bush/Cheney Administration humiliate our nation and our people in the eyes of the world and in the conscience of our own people. How dare they subject us to such dishonor and disgrace. How dare they drag the good name of the United States of America through the mud of Saddam Hussein's torture prison.

David Kay concluded his search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq with the famous verdict: "we were all wrong." And for many Americans, Kay's statement seemed to symbolize the awful collision between Reality and all of the false and fading impressions President Bush had fostered in building support for his policy of going to war.

Now the White House has informed the American people that they were also "all wrong" about their decision to place their faith in Ahmed Chalabi, even though they have paid him 340,000 dollars per month. 33 million dollars (CHECK) and placed him adjacent to Laura Bush at the State of the Union address. Chalabi had been convicted of fraud and embezzling 70 million dollars in public funds from a Jordanian bank, and escaped prison by fleeing the country. But in spite of that record, he had become one of key advisors to the Bush Administration on planning and promoting the War against Iraq.

And they repeatedly cited him as an authority, perhaps even a future president of Iraq. Incredibly, they even ferried him and his private army into Baghdad in advance of anyone else, and allowed him to seize control over Saddam's secret papers.

Now they are telling the American people that he is a spy for Iran who has been duping the President of the United States for all these years.

One of the Generals in charge of this war policy went on a speaking tour in his spare time to declare before evangelical groups that the US is in a holy war as "Christian Nation battling Satan." This same General Boykin was the person who ordered the officer who was in charge of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay to extend his methods to Iraq detainees, prisoners. ... The testimony from the prisoners is that they were forced to curse their religion Bush used the word "crusade" early on in the war against Iraq, and then commentators pointed out that it was singularly inappropriate because of the history and sensitivity of the Muslim world and then a few weeks later he used it again.

"We are now being viewed as the modern Crusaders, as the modern colonial power in this part of the world," Zinni said.

What a terrible irony that our country, which was founded by refugees seeking religious freedom - coming to America to escape domineering leaders who tried to get them to renounce their religion - would now be responsible for this kind of abuse..

Ameen Saeed al-Sheikh told the Washington Post that he was tortured and ordered to denounce Islam and after his leg was broken one of his torturers started hitting it while ordering him to curse Islam and then, " they ordered me to thank Jesus that I'm alive." Others reported that they were forced to eat pork and drink alcohol.

In my religious tradition, I have been taught that "ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit... Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

The President convinced a majority of the country that Saddam Hussein was responsible for attacking us on September 11th. But in truth he had nothing whatsoever to do with it. The President convinced the country with a mixture of forged documents and blatantly false assertions that Saddam was in league with Al Qaeda, and that he was "indistinguishable" from Osama bin Laden.

He asked the nation , in his State of the Union address, to "imagine" how terrified we should be that Saddam was about to give nuclear weapons to terrorists and stated repeatedly that Iraq posed a grave and gathering threat to our nation. He planted the seeds of war, and harvested a whirlwind. And now, the "corrupt tree" of a war waged on false premises has brought us the "evil fruit" of Americans torturing and humiliating prisoners.

In my opinion, John Kerry is dealing with this unfolding tragedy in an impressive and extremely responsible way. Our nation's best interest lies in having a new president who can turn a new page, sweep clean with a new broom, and take office on January 20th of next year with the ability to make a fresh assessment of exactly what our nation's strategic position is as of the time the reigns of power are finally wrested from the group of incompetents that created this catastrophe.

Kerry should not tie his own hands by offering overly specific, detailed proposals concerning a situation that is rapidly changing and unfortunately, rapidly deteriorating, but should rather preserve his, and our country's, options, to retrieve our national honor as soon as this long national nightmare is over.

Eisenhower did not propose a five-point plan for changing America's approach to the Korean War when he was running for president in 1952.

When a business enterprise finds itself in deep trouble that is linked to the failed policies of the current CEO the board of directors and stockholders usually say to the failed CEO, "Thank you very much, but we're going to replace you now with a new CEO -- one less vested in a stubborn insistence on staying the course, even if that course is, in the words of General Zinni, "Headed over Niagara Falls."

One of the strengths of democracy is the ability of the people to regularly demand changes in leadership and to fire a failing leader and hire a new one with the promise of hopeful change. That is the real solution to America's quagmire in Iraq. But, I am keenly aware that we have seven months and twenty five days remaining in this president's current term of office and that represents a time of dangerous vulnerability for our country because of the demonstrated incompetence and recklessness of the current administration.

[road2000]

218. Please sign the petition...

at draftgore.com -- 108,000 signatures strong!

Thanks, people.

[NYCGirl]

2. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!

[FourScore]

40. Both of those pics are so great NYCGirl! n/t

[shireen]

77. great kitty picture! LOL! nt

[emilyg]

119. Sooooo cute!

[barb162]

214. Oh is that kitty cute! And how appropriate.

[rainy]

3. I hope he runs. He is the only one I'll go out in the streets for.

[BlooInBloo]

16. Ditto.

[Uncle Joe]

30. Double ditto!

:thumbsup:

[arewenotdemo]

52. Triple ditto!

[disndat]

89. Qudruple ditto!

[Omphaloskepsis]

100. Whatever the fuck comes next ditto!

I want a do-over.

[FourScore]

103. lol

:rofl:

[roguevalley]

128. BWAHAHA! Beautiful. I could die of waiting for him. I might be able

to sleep at night and get older if I thought someone who actually remembered and valued the Old Republic would be the next president. GO, AL! {Perhaps the extinction of the yangtze dolpiins, the
river goddesses, will help.}

[Divine Discontent]

132. yeah, you're like screwed

there's no additional dittos left... let's start over...
ha

I'd walk the streets for anyone if it's utterly close, but esp. for Edwards, Kooch, Clark and GORE!!!

[stlsaxman]

142. Quintuple ditto is next- so I'll do the Sextuple ditto!

(no this is not a sex post- i'm SERIES!!!1111)

[JuniperLea]

232. Ditto infinity!!!

[Kokonoe]

124. Quintuple

please,please,please. you may be only 59 but were not looking for a Reagan. He was only propaganda. you truly are are the best NOW.

[madmunchie]

4. My fingers are so crossed I can't even pick my nose!

[FourScore]

10. gotta say, madmunchie, your name...your post...

All a little too graphic for me.

Still I feel the same way!:toast:

[madmunchie]

109. Oh my God!!!!! My name is a combination of my 2 dogs

Munchkin and Maddie....what did you think it meant????????

[FourScore]

117. Oh. My bad. See my other post for reference as to where my mind is at...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1539936

:evilgrin:

[onewholaughsatfools]

186. hola madmunichie

you know as well as I gore is not going to run in 2008 as well as I. It's to bad because he is a sure winner and I vote for winners.

[madmunchie]

190. Actually I don't know that he isn't running, as a matter of fact my

gut instinct is telling me that he is running. He is just going to do it in his way, on his timetable and in a way that will revolutionize the campaign process. Wait and see. He is too smart and burned to put himself on this merry go round of way too early campaigning, debating....yet he manages to stay in the public eye and grow support. He has name recognition, great support, all of the money he'll need at the drop of a hat, all that he is waiting for it to make sure and he is also using a different timetable than the rest. Watch and see, it will be quite a ride.

[JuniperLea]

233. I trust your gut instincts... and mine...

Before I trust that Bushie who tried to use his gut instincts to scare us...

[zabet]

5. PLEAASSEE!!!

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

[Sapere aude]

6. The MSM will destroy him if he runs in 2008. He might be waiting for a time when that isn't so.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

11. Try Never!

When will the MSM EVER give him a fair shake?

[Sapere aude]

17. Regrettably I agree with you. I think of what this country could have been had

he been in the White House since 2001.

[glitch]

18. They will attempt to destroy him, as they always do. They will fail, as they always do. nt

[Blue Belle]

63. They'll attempt to destroy anyone who gets the Dem nomination...

It doesn't matter if it's Al or Hillary or Edwards... it's just what they do. I don't think the media is a factor.

[glitch]

78. They'll fail there too. They've made themselves irrelevant with their ridiculous juvenile bias. nt

[goclark]

84. As much as I wish to agree with you

I'm not sure.

Listening to the news today they were talking about Bush now having "climbing poll numbers."

The lies are flying in full force.

[glitch]

102. I imagine they'll be the last to get how irrelevant they've made themselves. nt

[Clark2008]

182. Yeah - they're soaring to, what? 30?

[peacetalksforall]

164. Another positive for Gore - all the lies are out there and have been

debunked and placed in context with witness and supporting testimony. Doesn't mean that Republicans will come out with the same ones or new ones, but at least the DLC will not be there to allow the lies.

I hope the DLC continues to back Sen Clinton and Gore runs now and wins the nomination.

I don't know how getting around the DLC works, but it's critical.

[grasswire]

94. how? how could they destroy him?

They've thrown everything in the book at him. They've got nothin' left.

[amitten]

121. Oh hell, the MSM destroys EVERYBODY. No reason not to run!

Running for President isn't for the faint of heart!

[Mabus]

196. The political media will try but Gore has already taken care of them

Gore has been neutering the political media's coverage of him by doing interviews with magazines, newspapers and popular television shows. Gore has been interviewed or featured in everything from GQ to Oprah and from the box office to the Oscars. It has helped the average American to see Gore as a passionate, affable and articulate man.

Furthermore, by making himself available to everyone but the political press, Gore has performed one of the greatest feats of disintermediation since the beginning of journalism. Gore has by-passed the political media filter (and their tired memes) and gone right to the American people with his message. He has been using a cross-section of media to do it so that he reaches as many people as possible. He has utilized the internet, television and print media to get out his message. He has by-passed the political press and got more attention for the climate crisis in one year than what he was able to do in office trying to work with the political media. And meanwhile, all Tweety and his ilk can do is sit on the sidelines and speculate because Gore isn't going to talk to them until they do it on his terms.

Disintermediation has also helped people see Gore as a person who is comfortable with who he is. He isn't the "guy who doesn't know who he is" nor is he the "guy who constantly re-invents himself" anymore. AIT and the interviews he has done have demonstrated to a lot of people who were misled in 2000 who Gore really is: He's a solid kind of guy who stands up for what he believes. It also put his wonkiness in a whole new light. Now, more than ever, he is seen as a man with vision.

The best part of all of this for me is the exposure of the political media for what they are: a bunch of pompous gas bags who have lied to us time and time again. They beat Gore up in 2000 and, despite their best efforts to make him go away, Gore has come back stronger than ever.

Besides, who doesn't love an against-all-odds comeback story? The guy who got kicked around and mocked is now the hero who can save the day (or, in this instance, our planet and our democracy). Maybe it's my own little "Revenge of the Nerds" fantasy.

[HeeBGBz]

262. Great post, Mabus.

I got to agree with you there.

[Mabus]

290. Thank you.

:blush:

[goodsnservices]

268. He's into blogging too...

So I wouldn't doubt it if he's reading this here message board as we speak, or in between flights to visit world leaders...

Al, Mr. Gore, if you're reading this, we've all got your back, even whatserface. We're waiting, but we're also vigilant, tireless, ruthless when necessary in rooting out junk science claims, and working for YOU.

[Mabus]

289. There are a lot of us with the will to act

My husband and I were on the early forums during the 2000 cycle defending Gore. It's how I found the Daily Howler. I've fought for Gore ever since. He's got to know that if he gets in that we have his back.

[SoCalDem]

7. There would never be a "better" time than '08, so I guess the real answer is "no".

If a repube slithers his way in again, the public will be too angry at Gore for not offering an option in '08..and by '12, who knows what would even be left of the US.. I don't see him challenging an incumbent democratic president.. and by '16, all the energy for his run would be pretty much gone..
It's now or never

[FourScore]

14. He knows that. He'll run. First let him take the Nobel. n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

26. We're on the same page.

I've been telling all my friends for months that he's gonna get in.

And BTW, not one of them thinks I'm crazy for saying this. But only because they think they have plenty of other grounds for questioning my sanity.

[FourScore]

82. I understand. Sounds like my world.

:toast:

[Phredicles]

74. When is that decided? Anyway, PleasePleasePlease

Let this mean what a lot of us here are hoping it means!:bounce:

[RestoreGore]

144. Did your crystal ball tell you that?

And any "incumbant" who ascends to the "unitary executive" in 08 will not in my view leave a good legacy considering what they will have to deal with, so it is not a given that they would be "re-elected" again. If they also steal it again which I believe is definitely a possibility considering there was no moral outcry regarding the last few times (which really makes all of this "we will have your back" rhetoric look so hypocritical) or he gets pushed into running and loses which is a possibility with this distracted populace, what will you say then? This climate crisis as it stands now is more important than playing these political games. Unless the populace of this country is informed enough that they will demand this be a priority across party lines, it won't matter who sits in the throne room.

[goodsnservices]

267. He KNOWS he has to step up and assume the responsibility...

These aren't "political games." The truth of the matter is that we're at a cusp like never before. What we decide, and what Al Gore decides this year, will greatly affect the world for better or worse. We know that the most recent peer-reviewed (not junk science republican mouthpiece reviewed) article on global warming warns that we will face dire consequences in not 20, 30 or 40 years down the road, but as near to us as a single hand full of years if we don't do something drastic NOW!!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070809/sc_nm/climate_warming_dc_1;_ylt=ApdtFplor5E2r_yG_HxS3kkE1vAI

We simply can't wait another four or eight or sixteen years until the mess from this past administration is smoothed over by someone else.

Al knows this. He knows it better than anyone else in the world. He also is a man of deep conscience and conviction. He's going to step up to the plate because he KNOWS he's the only person on the planet who has even a breath of a chance of leading policy decisions to turn this fucking disaster around.

[RestoreGore]

278. Pablum

He is already leading and taking great responsibility. It's up to you to do your part now and that doesn't mean just cheerleading for him and making this about him, which he has stated it is not. He is by far the greatest global environmental ambassador we have and he would not be able to devote 24/7 to a crisis you claim is primary if he were stuck in the muck of that toxic beltway now, and there is nothing you can say to convince me otherwise. I trust his judgement. Perhaps you should too if you support him.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

283. Why do you call yourself "Restore Gore"?

All you do is chastise people for wanting to restore him.:shrug:

[goodsnservices]

284. I believe you when you say

There's nothing I can say (or anyone else) to convince you otherwise. No need to state the obvious. That doesn't mean that people reading these threads can't benefit from a bit of perspective from me and other members of this forum.

I do my part, as much as I can to reduce my personal carbon footprint. I'm sure most of the folks posting here do to. It isn't enough by itself. Not. by. a. long. shot.

[helderheid]

8. Thrilled to be rec 5

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

9. This Is It Al

I'm glad to hear you feel that at the young age of 59, you might still have a chance to run again in the future.

Keep in mind that When the Democrats win the White House in 2008, it will be at least 8 years until you'll have a chance to run for an open seat. By then, you'll be 68.

If the VP ends up being someone like Obama, expect to have extreme difficulty in running against him.

If Al Gore actually is dumb enough to think he can wait a few years, for an opportunity which is his for the taking in 2008, I think he's dumber than I thought.

Either take your place as President in 2008, or forget about EVER being involved in a political campaign for President.

[Kokonoe]

126. A truly honest perspective, thank you. n/t

[RestoreGore]

139. I'm going to send this to him...

because it is the epitome of the disrespect shown towards him and how I think those who claim to support him on these blogs really are only using him for their own political reasons. Who are you to tell him what he has to do and how he has to do it? Perhaps you should be thinking that unless you put your money with your mouth is regarding caring about addressing this climate crisis THIS YEAR that you may not have a sustainable planet to bitch about politics and make you ultimatums on in the future.

[Kokonoe]

146. Sorry restore, but there is no perfect way to ask him to run.

I doubt he's waiting for us to beg him, but thats not going to stop me from begging.

[RestoreGore]

150. Well, if you wish to spin your wheels

Go ahead. I have no intention of harrassing him about this. I intend to respect his wishes and support his work now which is more important.

[JuniperLea]

234. You have a lot of nerve...

Gore supports free speech... 'nuff said.

[RestoreGore]

245. And who's stopping it here?

That includes ALL of us FYI.

[JuniperLea]

248. I'm just saying...

In one post you say you are going to send him this thread... then in another, you say you wouldn't bother him...

So, which is it?

[RestoreGore]

251. Not harass him and let him make up his own mind

Clear now?

[JuniperLea]

253. Clear as mud!

Then why would you bother him with this thread? Doesn't add up, unless it's ok for you to harass him and not the rest of us.

[RestoreGore]

258. Bored tonight?

Or do you always go around in circles? Good bye.

[JuniperLea]

259. Hahaha!

What the freak ever! Can't answer a question, so you insult! Playing by the Freeper rule book is a sure way to win friends and influence people! Keep up the good work!

[SharonRB]

174. When will you get that none of us are doing this for our own political reasons

We're doing it because we truly believe he is our best hope and because we care about the environment so much that we want someone in the WH who we can trust to make sure something gets done. He is that person. I can't speak for everyone else, but I know that I have started doing a lot of the things I can do on my own to help, but we need policy changes and the president has the most influence over that.

Stop claiming to know what all of the rest of us are thinking.

[Name removed]

176. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mabus]

265. Thank you

btw, I just noticed my comments in a subthread were deleted again. Someone sure wants to shut me up whenever I stand up for Gore. Thanks for saying what I think. Wondering how long this post will last before you know who asks for it to be deleted again.

[Alexander]

294. RestoreGore can dish it out but she sure can't take it.

She's free to question our motives and insinuate that we have some secret agenda all she wants, but criticize her in the slightest and she whines to the mods.

[Mabus]

297. You should join us in the Al Gore '08 forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=260

It's all about the love there. Okay, that and information exchange.

[Alexander]

292. Facts and logic don't matter to RestoreGore.

Shrill attacks, hysteria and questioning other people's motives are about the only thing she understands.

Maybe she'd like the rest of DU to question her motives and see what comes up. :eyes:

[goodsnservices]

192. What America wants:

http://www.rundammit.com

[closeupready]

180. Harsh language, but I agree with the underlying argument.

He really has to do it now or never. Please do it, Al. Give it one last try.

[FourScore]

12. I say October/November.

I would recommend he wait as long as possible.

I read somewhere that California starts sending out absentee ballots in January. Can anyone confirm? I would think he would need to enter before that.

[slick8790]

15. Not sure about california.

But I'd assume he'd definitely wanna enter before january. Despite his massive name recognition and favorability, he still needs some time to campaign before Iowa. I think if he's gonna run, it's gonna be september. But personally, I think he's gonna sit this one out.

[Shine]

58. I agree, that's my hit, too.

:thumbsup:

When/if he enters the playing field, it'll really shake things up.

Gore/Obama would be a great ticket. :woohoo:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

68. and isn't the Nobel winner announced in September?

:bounce:

[disndat]

90. announced in October,

but the decision should be made by Sept.

[FourScore]

97. I keep hearing that, but why September? n/t

[stlsaxman]

145. I think September is the month that they stop counting campaign contributions for primaries...

and any contribution after September gets counted as going toward the general election. If Al gets millions in contributions the press will say he's got the biggest "war chest" for the presidency...

[lildreamer316]

155. See, I don't think this will even be a factor.

Contributions, I mean. I honestly think that Al is going to go as far as he can without any major contributions at all. I believe, if I have been reading correctly, that he has enough money to run a campaign without any big ones anyway. Of course he would not refuse the average joe's wish to contribute, but I have a strong feeling he would probably just jettison that money off to one of the charites/needs organizations anyway, if at least for awhile.
This way, he is beholden to no lobby. Brilliant, if you ask me.
But, I could be wrong.

[FourScore]

167. He could donate all campaign contributions to climate change!

and run a "different kind of campaign".

I doubt that is realistic. Even for Gore. But wouldn't THAT be something???

[SharonRB]

175. I think after the Nobel Peace Price announcement

If he did anything before that, it would put the selection committee in a very difficult position.

[rosesaylavee]

295. I don't think he would care if

he had to choose between the Nobel and the POTUS. I really think he would choose running for prez and let the committee work out what they want to do.

He has either earned the honor for the best human for Peace this year or not no matter what he does this fall.

I am hoping for a September announcement.

[IntravenousDemilo]

227. How can they send out ballots before they have names to put on them?

The Big Two don't have their conventions till next summer.

[never_get_over_it]

13. OK I'm disappointed

its August and he is saying he has no plans to enter the 2008 race - I figure he really has to get in this thing soon after Labor Day - maybe his comments about no single candidate..... might be a signal but it does worry me that he specifically said he had not plans to run in 2008....

I so hope I'm wrong because I REALLY WANT HIM TO RUN at this point I think he might be the only one to stop Hillary - oh PLEASE AL RUN!!!!

[tblue37]

20. "I have no plans to enter the 2008 race" still leaves wiggle room. (eom)

[FourScore]

23. don't worry. He'll run.

He knows what he's doing, and personally I think it's brilliant.

Notice: Each time he says he has no plans to run, he adds a caveat to keep it open. He was much more firm in 2004 when he said he would not run. Remember? The difference this time is that he alluded to his "reason" for re-entering.

He'll run. You'll see.

Let the other candidates slug it out now. Everyone knows where he stands on the issues. He has no need to enter the fray right now.

[kimmerspixelated]

28. I think, I know

and I hope you're right! He is HOT now!!... well, we all are-it's August for pete's sake!

[peace frog]

56. Your certainty gives me hope

I pray you are correct. We need Gore desperately.

[never_get_over_it]

67. From your keyboard to God's ears

I use to work the polls in Northern VA with a woman who always said from your mouth to God's ears - I always loved that expression....

hope you're right and THANKS for the encouraging words...

[goodsnservices]

191. Valid reasons for delay:

Obama and Hillary are bashing each other to a pulp. I think he's wise not to enter in the middle of a family squabble like that! Early October, however, with a nobel peace prize in hand that we all know he's going to win, will have the effect of cooling the media waters a bit -- just the calm in the party storm his entrance into the race needs...

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

19. I think the Presidency is his for the taking

Of course the right wing would try to destroy him. But I think the overwhelming energy and momentum that his campaign would build among not only Democrats but Independents would absolutely bury the Republican Party in 2008.

[katty]

21. PLEASE-DO IT TOMORROW MR. GORE!! HELP!

[Buck Rabbit]

22. That's it stick your toe in ...

Now that wasn't so bad was it Al ... Now slide your foot in .. further .... further ....

[FourScore]

24. Come October, he'll be ready to take the plunge. n/t

[WI_DEM]

25. Ok, Mr. Gore, say that a Dem wins in '08 and is in for two terms does that mean

you will run in '16 when you're 67. If you're going to re-enter politics and want to make global warming and the environment a real issue--you should do it now.

[kimmerspixelated]

32. That's right!

There is no time like the present! And Miss corporate Hillary is NOT the answer! RUN-ALBERT-RUN!!!

[Donald Ian Rankin]

148. Is 67 infeasibly old to run for president?

Whether or not he *should* run for president this time round, it's becoming ever clearer that he's not going to.

I find it hard to imagine him running for the Senate or Congress given his past record.

So as far as I can see that leaves president in 2016, president in 2012 if the Dems lose in 2008, or vice-president or a member of the cabinet or some similar national office if the Dems win in 2008, I think.

And of those, president in 2016 does not seem that implausible to me...

[RestoreGore]

277. In a word, no

[helderheid]

27. Love it:

[roguevalley]

129. your ballot is bril. God, from your ballot to God's ear.

[IndyOp]

194. Why'd the owner of rundammit shrink Kucinich's name? Jerk. (n/t)

[goodsnservices]

197. 'Cuz he's so little 'n' cute?

[IndyOp]

207. Hey! Don't make fun of Dennis' cuteness. He's got a heart of steel. Sort of.

Well maybe I can't say it well, but you know what I mean.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[goodsnservices]

238. It was just a guess....

Did you see Red State Update?

"Kucinich, Penguin. Penguin, Kucinich."

Edgy stuff, but funny.

[helderheid]

211. I suspect he was pointing out how marginalized by the press he is - just a guess

[bamacrat]

29. This would be huge. No one would stand a chance.

I wouldn't mind seeing a Gore/Kucinich ticket, or even a Gore/Obama, Gore/Clinton.

C'mon Al EVERYONE is waiting. America wont fuck up a third time. or would they?

:kick: :applause: :patriot:

[kimmerspixelated]

36. Gore/Kucinich or Gore/Clark

I can't think of any other possibilities, but I think Gore is waiting for the absolute Perfect moment, AND that might be a good thing, because, methinks some of the candidates are getting somewhat fatigued as it is! Think about how grueling their days must be! Only the truly strong could possibly survive it! Gore is waiting patiently and PROUDLY to enter, with ease and grace. It will be perfectly planned out and he will be choosing only the best folks he can trust-this time!

[bamacrat]

54. I agree I think Clinton and/or Obama will wear themselves out before the end of the year.

Once the "frontrunners" start dropping off it will be time for the man to enter.

[kimmerspixelated]

55. absolutely!

[shireen]

83. i've been thinking the same ...

you are so right. They're wearing each other out, and wearing our patience.
By the time it comes to making real decisions, when the primary votes are cast, the dynamics of the Dem. presidential campaigns are going to be quite different. I hope Al Gore and Wes Clark are part of the difference--I'd whole-heartedly support them, and even if they didn't win the nomination, they would have enriched the debate and made the Dems stronger.

[Jackpine Radical]

31. Gore says he has "no plan" to run in '08.

Well, I have "no plan" for lunch tomorrow either, but I bet I'll eat anyway.

[FourScore]

33. Exactly!!! You get it, JR...You definitely get it! n/t

[malaise]

35. Run Al Run!!! n/t

[mvd]

34. He so deserves the Presidency, after being robbed in 2000

It would be hard to not vote for him if he gets in the race.

[kimmerspixelated]

37. Without a doubt, and I must say that this

discussion thread is the most hopeful I've seen in quite some time!

[jn2375]

38. when I get an email from Gore, I send a reply back to please run

[DemGa]

39. Only Al Gore can de-shrub this country

with our help of course.

[progressoid]

41. I'm not sure I see his statement as indicative of a run...

Not that I would like to see it happen. I think he'd clean up in the election. I think there are millions of Americans wondering how much they lost by having * as president rather than AL.

[The Backlash Cometh]

42. This just got interesting.

[volstork]

43. for the love of God and all that's holy....

Al, PLEASE RUN!

[Nimrod2005]

44. His VP: Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dysfunctional press]

47. no thanks...

i wasn't impressed with him before, and after what i've seen of him in the debates- i'm even less so.

[grasswire]

96. no thanks

I would happily support Joe Wilson or Wes Clark.

[goodsnservices]

266. some day, but definitely not now..

because he's imploding. His lack of understanding in the foreign policy arena is down right frightening, especially with Musharraf's government weakening in the face of violent attacks from Taliban and Al Qaeda on the one hand, and pressure from Islamists who want the right to vote so they can institute their version of an Iranian-style government with nukes on the other hand. I don't even want him in Washington after he made those dangerously naive statements. Too much is at stake.

[kimsterdemster]

45. go ahead...

Make my decade!!!:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[FourScore]

51. LOL.

Welcome to DU, kimsterdemster!:hi:

[MasonJar]

46. I am not sure he will run against Hillary; I think he has been waiting to see how she fares.

I hope he runs, but he is right. He is a young man. Time is on his side. I cannot see why he is waiting so long if he means to run this time. I think it has to do with whether the candidates are addressing global warming. Run, Al; we need you NOW. The future is uncertain without you!!!!!!!!!!!!

[flyarm]

49. time is not on this country's side..we need Al GORE NOW!!! eom

[FourScore]

53. Time is relative. It's certainly on his side if he waits two more months. n/t

[flyarm]

91. yes i am anxiously awaiting ..but i don't want to wait for 8 more years!! is what i meant..

this country can not wait to let the msm pick our candidate which they are doing and this country can not wait for 8 more years..we need Al Gore now..this next election..we can not wait for any more destruction of this republic!

fly

[FourScore]

95. I totally agree. It's now or never, Al. n/t

[RestoreGore]

140. BS

He has his whole life ahead of him.

[Blue Belle]

65. None of them are really addressing global warming...

they talk about it, but no one has a solid plan for it.

[goodsnservices]

239. Hillary doesn't factor in his plans

He's said so himself, that his decisions aren't based on whether or not Hillary is in the race. I like Hillary, but I seriously doubt she can turn any of the red states to blue, and it is about electoral votes, remember? But put together a Gore/Clinton ticket and let her earn her chops as VP for eight years, and who knows? 2016 may be her year...

[riona]

48. He would get two votes from here

Please run!!

[Left Is Write]

50. Run, Al. Please.

[1776Forever]

57. This is sad news that he doesn't plan on running for the 2008 election

:shrug: :dilemma: :applause:

[AtomicKitten]

59. a candle remains in the window for Gore

fingers crossed

[OzarkDem]

60. Waiting to exhale

Come on, Al. Don't keep me waiting!

[piedmont]

61. My vote belongs to Gore until the Georgia primary. nt

[AuntPatsy]

62. Good news, we can only hope this is just not another rumor.

[politicasista]

64. Kick

Yes for Gore. :kick:

[mopinko]

66. stop by the al gore '08 forum folks

your bolded statement is exactly it. i have talked to draft gore folks who are close to him, and this is the number one thing that is tempting him to run.

[RestoreGore]

141. Where's your proof?

[Name removed]

188. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

199. Deleted message

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

[JNelson6563]

201. It's tiresome, isn't it?

Perhaps if the posts were a bit more imaginative and entertaining to read but no. It's the same old pap served over and over again.

*sigh*

In other news, lots of high points in this thread. Loved this graphic, didn't you?



:toast:

Julie

[Subdivisions]

202. That's what my ballot's gonna look like if he doesn't

come quietly.

[JNelson6563]

205. I love it!

Me too! :hi:

Julie

[Subdivisions]

209. Ha! I was looking at the ballot again and realized

that Kucinich (my backup nominee) wasn't on it. Then I looked a little closer and I found him! He was in fine print, but I did find him!

[autorank]

69. I'll take that as a yes;) K*R!!! Thanks for posting!!! n/t

[FourScore]

70. I thought you'd like this one, autorank.

:hi:

[autorank]

76. This is a good day...

This post and a previous answer I got from a "knowledgeable source" saying Gore would move if there was a meltdown. Well, no focus on global warming gives real meaning to 'meltdown';). This is a great quote. I think Gore is really teasing this one out over time. Good for him but better for us if he moves. He beats everybody when people are asked if he runs...? More nail biting.

:hi:

[Sparkly]

71. There's no time like the present, Mr. Gore!!!

Pretty Pleeeeease???

[KoKo]

72. Damned if that is a "toe in the water" response! GO FOR IT!

Even if you have to go against Bill and Hillary! America is in CRISIS! This isn't a time for Political Loyalty to a guy who cut you dead!

[sakabatou]

73. Man, that would be nice

:D

[spanone]

75. Kick & Recommend

:kick: :kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::

[Liberal In Texas]

79. RUN, AL RUN! The country needs you, the WORLD needs you. n/t

[shireen]

80. watching the Dem debate left me ...

tired! Sometimes, I cringed. Often, I was annoyed by the shameless self-promotion. But mostly, I just felt discouraged. They're smart people. But I don't know who they really are, and if they have the right temperament to be the kind of president this country needs.

So, at the end, I was left wishing for Al or Wes to enter the race.

[B Calm]

81. I like to see him as the EPA director in the next administration..

[FourScore]

98. Yeah,

that holds alot of power!:sarcasm:

[The Wizard]

85. Has everyone forgotten

the corporate media picks the candidates and the crooked vote tabulators pick the president. Maybe Al knows something. Why run now when the decision has already been made by the corporate elites?

[lildreamer316]

157. Mmmm. May I offer a possibility?

Of course this is all MHO.

I think Al takes into consideration the whole picture here. The fact that the corporate elites have already made the decision, and very obviously stolen the elections TWICE now. (not saying this hasn't happened before, I am sure it has, but these two were BLATANT to anyone with any observational powers at all!). If/When he enters the race, all indications are that it would be a landslide such as we have never witnessed before (I think, a bit foggy on my election fact history this morning). Therefore, if the corporate elite INSIST on stealing another election, which they would probably try to do considering Al represents major change in the way they do business, it would be SO VERY OBVIOUS that it would be guns-in-the-streets, revolution time. That's a scary thing to be a catalyst for, or even a martyr to; etc. Once he takes this step, there is no going back to the relative 'quiet' he is enjoying now.
He would effectively be doing the Joseph Campbell hero thing, and sacrificing himself for the nation, in a way. I'm sure it is a heavy decision to make, and I don't blame him for hesitating a bit, and milking every last drop of peaceful existence out now.

Just a theory.

[The Wizard]

86. Does this mean

we could be choosing between two former Tennessee Senators who were also involved in the movie business?

[MasonJar]

87. Can someone who knows computers send him this discussion?

Come on, Al. Do not wait too long!!!!!!!!! We love you.

[gumby]

88. Everyone I know (small sample)

Red, Blue and Purple are wanting to vote for Gore!!!!!

Gore has found how to speak with the passion that most Americans are yearning for.

To The Wizard: Certainly Gore, along with the blogosphere is well aware of the MSM hit on him (Gore) last time. The MSM KNOWS FULL WELL they can't get away with that again.!!!!!

[debbierlus]

92. There is a huge grass roots movement to put him on the ballot

Whether he wants to run or not...

:)

Collecting signatures to put him in for MA next month

[goodsnservices]

269. collecting signatures here in the heart of Red country too n/t

[proud patriot]

93. I will be ready to support him when he does

:D :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :D

[grasswire]

99. I'm sending him a picture of a baby in my family

Run for little William's future, Al.

[FourScore]

101. Ooohhh Now that just sealed the deal!

How could he ever say no to THAT???

WHAT. A. DOLL.

[lildreamer316]

158. OMG how CUTE!!!

I'm such a baby addict. Beautiful!!

[FogerRox]

104. Come on AL

[provis99]

105. if his big issue is the environment, he won't get any traction

The environment is one of those long-term issues that require cooperation by many layers of government, cooperating with foreign governments, ordinary people, and businesses. With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, anti-terrorism, collapsing infrastructure, massive federal debt, and a health care disaster, there are more immediate issues that would swamp him, and which he doesn't have answers any different from the other candidates in the field.

Sorry, I just don't see Gore contributing much to the field. People always like a politician when he's not running, but were he to become a candidate, his popularity would quickly plummet.

[welshTerrier2]

106. Gore's "compelling reason": from the last 3 paragraphs of his book

The following excerpt comes from the last three paragraphs of Al Gore's The Assault on Reason (p. 272 - 273). Gore's entire book was about reclaiming our democracy from the "special interests." If that isn't a "compelling reason" for Gore to run, I can't think of a better one that is.

Dr. Martin Luther King once said, "Perhaps a new spirit is rising among us. If it is, let us trace its movements and pray that our own inner being may be sensitive to its guidance, for we are deeply in need of a new way beyond the darkness that seems so close around us."

As John Adams wrote in 1780, ours is a government of laws and not of men. What is at stake today is that defining principle of our nation and thus the very nature of America." As the Supreme Court has written, "Our Constitution is a covenant running from the first generation of Americans to us and then to future generations." The Constitution includes no wartime exception, though its framers knew well the reality of war. And as Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes reminded us shortly after World War I, the Constitution's principles have value only if we apply them in the difficult times as well as in those when it matters less.

The question before us could be of no greater moment: Will we continue to live as a people under the rule of law as embodied in our Constitution? Or will we fail future generations by leaving them a Constitution far diminished from the charter of liberty we have inherited from our forebears? Our choice is clear.

[tex-wyo-dem]

130. if that quote isn't timely, I don't know what is...

eom

[welshTerrier2]

133. it's a killer, isn't it?

you know, i just finished the book today. i read that last paragraph and wondered whether someone had sneaked into my house and updated my copy of the book to include the latest wiretapping idiocy.

i have no idea whether Gore will run; if he's searching for a calling, i.e. a compelling reason, he need only read his own book. It's screaming at him: Run Al run ...

[goodsnservices]

240. And Mr. Gore's choice is clear, too. n/t

[rosesaylavee]

296. I am so glad I told you to read that book.

:7

[Conscious Confucius]

107. We're so sorry, Uncle Albert

We're so sorry if we caused you any pain.

Now, please Run already, Al. Run while there is still an environment to save. Run while there still is a democracy to save. Run while there still is a planet to save.

Neither America nor the world can take another Republican or Republican wannabe (Clinton). The war mongers and big business pigs will destroy the human race.

[Old and In the Way]

108. Just say the word, AL....and it's yours.

Wouldn't that go over well with the Clintons? :rofl:

[goodsnservices]

241. Don't want to burst your bubble, but

the Gores and the Clintons are close friends, according to Al, himself.

[Diane R]

110. If Gore decides to run, I will work every day on his campaign. Anyone else?

[FourScore]

114. Count me in. My donations too. n/t

[goodsnservices]

242. I'm already

working on his campaign every day. Busting junk science posters, slam-dunking trolls, extolling the need to meet and overcome global warming, the need to restore checks and balances in government, passing out Gore 2000 buttons, signing petitions, posting links, you name it. Most of it I was doing even before I started considering that Al Gore might run. Now I have a better reason for doing it is all.

[tinrobot]

111. He's a bigger tease than my first girlfriend.

Just run... WE NEED YOU NOW!

[deacon]

112. Run!

[Initech]

113. Gore >>>> All. FACT!!!

[calteacherguy]

115. From the context, he has made perfectly clear he is not going to run in 08'

"I may re-enter politics at some point in the future because I'm only 59 years old," Gore told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Singapore.

Clearly, he would not have mentioned his age as a factor if he were referring to the possiblity of an 08' run.

[FourScore]

116. No. He says he has "no plans" to run.

As it stands right now, I have no plans to go to bed. That might change in the next hour.

[calteacherguy]

127. So you are suggesting Gore saying I have "no plans" is like Clark saying "I haven't said I won't?"

[FourScore]

136. I haven't been following Clark as much

so I didn't know he'd said that.

I firmly believe Gore will enter the race. Compare his words today to his decision not to run in 2004. Back then, he was quite clear with an unequivical, resounding "NO! I will not run". That's not the case this time. He is leaving the door ajar. And he's doing that for good reason. Why should he enter this early? Let the others fight it out while he wins Oscars, and throws enormous world climate concerts and gets nominated for Nobel prizes (which I think he might just win) and publish best-selling novels. Let's face it, the man is riding high! Everyone knows his stances on the issues. He's been quite vocal abbout the war and the wiretapping and the torture and certainly the most important issue: Global warming. Why give the press more time to try to destroy him when his base is growing so strong on the internet and elsewhere without their so-called "help". He can jump in at the last minute without any problem. In fact, I think it's a brilliant strategy.

BTW, I'm planning to go to bed now. See how easy that was to change my plans? :D

Have a good night, calteacherguy.

[Seabiscuit]

134. Right. He's always said he has "no plans". But this is the first time he's

actually said he may re-enter politics someday because he's "only 59". That's a biggie. A former Vice President and the real winner of the 2000 Presidential election, the only way to "RE-enter" is to begin again where he left off - in a bid for the White House.

Because he mentioned his age, I can't imagine him waiting another 4 or 8 years to "re-enter politics". By then he'll be 63 and 67. Hardly the spring chicken he is today.

[RestoreGore]

149. I agree on that...

And I think that comment about him only being 59 is in direct response to those who think he will be a has been if he doesn't re-enter politics now, which I think is ridiculous and only stated for political reasons anyway. He has plenty of time to survey what if any changes will take place by the PEOPLE as a result of his books and as a result of the three year plan he is instituting with The Alliance for Climate Protection to help do that.

Even he has stated we aren't close to that groundswell now even though more are becoming environmentally aware, so in essence why would any candidate make it a priority if they don't believe the people want it to be? He then wouldn't be able to do that now either, and that would basically hurt what he is doing now as a private citizen and statesman. To me it also only shows how toxic the system really is still, so I think he knows better than those pushing him what this is all about.

That of course is not giving the candidates on all sides a reprieve because they should all be mentioning it and I think Dodd and Edwards actually have done that, but really, the fact that this occupation is taking precedence is because they think it the priority of most voting Americans. That is why he is out here now trying to change all that, and why I support him in doing that. The political will has to be on ALL sides because this isn't a crisis that can be addressed halfway.

If down the line we see a palpable change in the political atmosphere in this country that would interest him at some point to fall back in love with it, more power to him. I support his stance on this now because this planet has to come first, and if his way of doing this realistically is what will more effective now than I say, stick with it.

[goodsnservices]

244. Look at this thread!

If this isn't a 'groundswell' then I don't know what is. I'm running into this same kind of enthusiasm all over the place for the thought of Al Gore running again.

[RestoreGore]

250. I wasn't referring to cheerleading as the groundswell...

I was talking about a groundswell of people acting themselves to mitigate the climate crisis and demanding changes across the political spectrum.

[goodsnservices]

270. Darlin', VOTERS make up groundswells n/t

[goodsnservices]

243. Month and a half is "some point in the future"! n/t

He's going to run because his conscience won't let him back out. His stated mission of getting his message out has been accomplished in spades. Running for leadership is the obvious and logical and *moral* next step. He won't shy from it, I'd bet my last paycheck!

[SaveOurDemocracy]

118. Please ... there is no one else with the integrity and vision...

PLEASE!!!

[FourScore]

120. Ooooo. Nice graphic. Can I borrow that sometime?

RE-ELECT AL GORE!!!!

[SaveOurDemocracy]

122. Absolutely, anytime!

I should have linked the site I discovered it at: http://www.carryabigsticker.com

... and here's another:

[FourScore]

123. Excellent!! Thank you!!! n/t

[tex-wyo-dem]

125. I've though all along that the thing that...

Would get Gore to run is if the current crop of candidates (with no help from the media) made the environment a back burner issue (again). The issues are much too important to him to see them neglected from everyday political discussion.

I think he has been monitoring the situation all along...if by Sept. - Nov. the issues are still not on the radar, I believe we will have Al Gore, candidate for POTUS.

[OwnedByFerrets]

131. K & R

[DirtyDawg]

135. Dammit Al...

...what the hell are you waiting for? An engraved invitation? Show some balls...let us know you're passionate about pulling this crap out of the fire. Frankly, if you're playing a game with this...if you're hoping for a groundswell of support to convince you that it won't be too tough, forget it. Get in the damn fight. Sure you need to rise above the bickering to whatever extent you can, but after all, it is politics and some feathers are gonna get ruffled. Just do it. Don't over-dramatize your entry, just announce and get moving. Be smart and tough and don't take any crap off any of 'em - Democratic, Republican, right-wing scream-machiners, fauxnoise, any of 'em. We're with you. Just get goin'.

[diva77]

137. Gore/Kucinich yah!!!

[RestoreGore]

138. He has already said all of this

It is the same thing he has stated many times before in that he has no plans to run in 2008 and that he may reenter politics (which covers a very great swath of possibilities) sometime down the road. Which tells me and I agree with him that he would not be a "has been" if he doesn't run now as was intimated by someone associated with algore.org which shows you what the mindset regarding him is really all about to some there.

He has also stated he wants to make this issue the priority of ALL candidates in this cycle because he has stated that one candidate cannot really do anything in one election, which is why he is trying very hard to get US to demand it of ALL candidates. However, here that plea to us seems to fall on deaf ears as people only pick and choose his words and twist their meanings to fulfill their fantasies.

And again we see a quote by him taken out of proportion while the entire reason he was in Singapore is totally ignored. Don't tell me he would just run in this soundbite system after seeing that the very same people who claim "they will have his back" if he does it THEIR way totally ignore anything but their own political competition now. What is the significance of what The Alliance for Climate Protection is doing in the next three years? Why was he in Singapore in the first place?

Oh, but why make this serious.... It's party time as the same message from the same crowd goes out:

Please Al, since you haven't done anything good enough in the last thirty years and sure aren't doing anything worthwhile now because you aren't in the military industrial complex or running a campaign that will only drag up the past and give us something to argue about, SAVE US AL AND RUN DAMMIT because we don't want to have to really do anything ourselves to save this planet, and politics is only about making it look interesting and "winning" and we don't want to discuss the climate crisis unless we can use it as a political wedge. Live Earth? What was that? :sarcasm:


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1542695&mesg_id=1542695

This is what we now face regarding educating people regarding the climate crisis to make it an issue a candidate of any party will see as a priority, which I believe was what he meant when he stated that he didn't yet see any of the current candidates (meaning Democratic OR Republican) making this a priority. That is up to US to fix, but I guess no one who says they care about that here really wants to do that when it is so much easier to beg him to do something he is already doing.

[chknltl]

143. Well if our current candidates were as strong on the Environment

...meh...I guess they have more important issues.....I am sure Global Warming is on each of their lists...not sure if it tops many lists though. (Perhaps we Gore fans should encourage the status quo!) .....That Health Care thingy might come in handy....

(Gore/Kuccinich would be my dream ticket, what a Good Cop/Bad Cop team they would make! What a positive impact those two could make on our planet. I suppose it is just a pipe dream though...)(insert BIG SIGH here).....

......I wonder if any of the candidates include dental in their health care plans...my teeth ain't what they once were...with bees on the decline and honey on the rise I have been forced to add more sugar to my diet... I suppose we all have to make sacrifices...there is a war on ya know.....Anyone else notice that the blackberries came out way early this year?......Hope they last through the summer.....I always thought they were a late summer early fall crop......they didn't taste so good this season...nor did the neighbors plums...well maybe the neighborhood apples will taste good... looks like I'll be picking them by next week too!...funny how time moves by faster as you get older...hell it seems like only yesterday I was asking folks on DU about the pussy willows on my backyard tree...of course it wasn't yesterday, this is August and that was early February.....things sure have changed over the last 40 years.....got's my eye on a pumpkin that's ripening up nicely...I am thinking of carving a scary bush face in it in a couple of weeks.... (insert another big sigh here)...

[RFKJrNews]

147. Gore/RFK Jr.

Now there's your environmental dream ticket!!!

Al may still get in the race, but I honestly do have my doubts as to whether or not he would challenge Hillary for the nomination. Since he served with the Clintons as VP for 8 years, this might be considered poor political form to run against her...

I think he supports her policies and would perhaps more likely give her his endorsement and support during her campaign. To run against her now would destroy the image of the Clinton/Gore united front and would be a shocker, for sure!





* Please SIGN THE PETITION to Draft Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to run for the White House at http://RFKin2008.com

[NastyDiaper]

160. Proud to Be #73

Not just the environment.

These two men stand for an informed electorate, that their votes count, and only then will America do what's right.

Here's hoping that Political will really is a renewable resource.

Here's hoping that the legacy the original American conservationist, Trust-bustn' Teddy Roosevelt speaks to Al Gore. And what I think might be said is that only Al Gore has both the strength to wrestle down the fossil energy lobby, and the knowledge to darn the shear in the income gap.

[RFKJrNews]

280. if that's a real bumpersticker, i want one!

wow, cool graphic. got bumperstickers???

thanks for supporting Bobby, #73.:)


* Please SIGN THE PETITION to draft Robert F. Kennedy Jr. into the race for the White House at http://RFKin2008.com

[NastyDiaper]

288. I don't have that bumpersticker, but i have

I made that graphic April 2006. I don't have that specific graphic as a sticker, but i have these

http://www.cafepress.com/nastydiaper (Everything at cafepress cost, there is no 'storefront' upcharge)

But anyone is welcome to do anything they want with the source images: http://inters.com/gore2008 for their own dream ticket :)

[NastyDiaper]

166. Stopping fossil fuel consumption is my top priority, but

doing what's right does not have to be prioritized.

Highly regulated industries starting with Energy, Pharm and Military all need to be kicked out of government with prejudice. And Executive power abuse must stop.

Until that is done, we ain't going nowhere on any front.

[4_TN_TITANS]

151. Gore should have been a stripper...

He's such a goddamn TEASE.

[YOY]

152. Oh please Al run!

Save us from the inevitable Hillary debacle that is being forced down our throats...

[lildreamer316]

154. DAMMIT he's such a TEASE.

I love him. Grrrrr.

[Apollo11]

159. You never know

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

I think that Gore is keeping his options open. Hasn't made up his mind yet what he will do.

If you ask me - I think Gore-Obama would be the strongest ticket in 2008.

The best thing we can do right now is sign the Live Earth pledge (see link below).

Then convince your friends, neighbors, family and co-workers to sign it also.

By getting behind Al's current work, we can make it more likely that he will decide to run.

And even if he doesn't run - we can help him shape the debate leading up to 2008.


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

Sign the Live Earth Pledge: www.liveearthpledge.org

Then ask all your friends and family to sign it too! :-)

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

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

:kick:

[bpeale]

161. you people just don't listen, do you?

the man is not running & has no intention of running. why can't you respect him enough to believe him? you're only seeing what you want to see in what he says. we have a wide enough field, and a good field, for you to find someone to support.

[RestoreGore]

162. I can even understand some support...

But some here are trying to the point of redundancy to sell it, and that has me wondering why... I think it is because they aren't getting traction which explains the multitude of sites and the endless begging which yes, does translate to disrespect for his words. Frankly, I'm getting tired of the spiel. If he wants to do it in the future he will, and he won't need any group looking for attention to prop him up to do it.

[SharonRB]

177. If he definitely wasn't running, he would issue a firm statement

to that effect. He did it in 2002 for the 2004 election, but hasn't done that this time. He knows there's a very strong, active draft movement and he hasn't asked us to stop.

[RestoreGore]

178. He never asked a draft movement or for that matter any movement to stop

So that has no bearing on anything now.

[SharonRB]

179. That's where you're wrong

He did ask them to stop last time, and everyone stopped but one group.

[RestoreGore]

184. Nope

DraftGore 04 and ElectGore 04 kept going, as did mine. It was more than one.

[goodsnservices]

273. So you're sayin' you ignored Gore's wishes in '04?

[flyarm]

189. he did ask the draft movements in 2004 to stop!! eom

[RestoreGore]

246. No, he didn't.

[goodsnservices]

272. Actually, he did, back in 2004. Known fact.

[RestoreGore]

275. Then prove it

Because I was a apart of all the groups he didn't ask and in comparing the experience of that it's kind of like a war veteran who sees the war up close and sees the reality of it and then doesn't want to be a part of it anymore. Same thing with drafts. To me, just a bunch of egomaniacs looking for attention and using Al Gore's success to get it because I saw it firsthand. I know of what I speak, so unless you have some letter or something to post that claims he asked Draft Gore 04, Elect Gore 04, and Patriots for Gore to stop even after his endorsement which he did not, then you are wrong and it is not a fact. Funny how people keep claiming things here but never back the claims up.

[goodsnservices]

285. Ask Dylan Malone to prove it

I seriously doubt you were part of the draft campaign...

[RestoreGore]

298. You stated it was a known fact, and you know nothing of my support

So since you stated it was a fact but yet can't prove it, what was your point in even responding? And Dylan Malone is not the be all end all of any movement. I was part of the Draft movement in 2004 and was one of the first people to be asked to join it, but I left it only a couple of months later when I didn't feel it was doing enough and got suspicious of who was really running it as I am now and have EVERY RIGHT to be, especially at a time in his life when he is making the greatest contribution he has ever made FINALLY HIS WAY because he knows what this system is about and is asking US to be the change...And by having that experience which led me elsewhere, my eyes were opened to this system and just how it does work against good people.

I then started my own group to try to get Congressional action regarding election fraud on a federal level by "restoring" those who have elections stolen from them, and that was when I really learned how totally complacent Congress is about all of this as well as those groups just doing what they were doing for attention and political scoring points and I then ended all efforts in that vein and also focused on the topic that was always my heart. That is why I thank Mr. Gore for liberating me as well... for liberating me from the petty phoney political BS that permeates this system and the feeling that I have to defend him on that score when in the end it doesn't matter nearly as much as caring for this planet.

I worked hard however in the past to get him write in votes and to also have superdelegates pledge to him, as well as ask other "gore support sites" to ask for a tribute to him at the 2004 convention which was all to no avail because as he has also stated many times, drafts do not happen anymore in this bought and sold system. And they were all endeavors he was told about and did nothing to stop. I also have supported him for close to eighteen years in knocking on doors, handing out flyers, talking to people, and supporting him regardless of his endeavors. I also defended him on many Internet venues over the years to the point where I was stalked by freepers who actually knew where my child went to school and harrassed me about it which then caused me to move for my child's safety. So don't think you know anything about my support and love for this man and what I have done with all of my heart and soul to support him over these years and will continue to do in the years to come regardless of his address.

Mr. Gore did his best as well in that system with what we were all dealt, but after thirty years of BS regarding this climate crisis from it and the unheeded warnings, and the complacency, and the turning their backs on him, I DON'T BLAME HIM ONE BIT for finding a new and BRILLIANT way of getting this message out, and I support him in that.

FYI, you don't have to go along with the "jingoism" here to be a supporter of his. And I used to see what happened to him in 2000 as a tragedy which it surely was for this country that no one seemed to think was worth fighting for, but seeing him now shows me that what he went through then truly has let his glory out and in a way did restore him, and I will be damned to continue to sit here on these threads and constantly be personally berated by people who think they know anything about me or my support of him. So your, "ask Dylan Malone" rhetoric is simply that to me, and I hope my involvement in past endeavors is clearer to you now, because I have no intention of bumping this thread back up again in response to some other snarky response or innuendo.

[countingbluecars]

299. Pablum

[bpeale]

185. he has issued statement after statement, but no one listens

[goodsnservices]

249. Bingo! :) n/t

[goodsnservices]

200. Difference between 2004 and 2008 is what he's said...

In 2004, V.P. Gore asked the people urging him to run to stop. He has DEFINITELY NOT said anything like that this time. That means he's "shifting gears" just like he's said. He's listening to his conscience and our voices urging him to run.

The last six years he's been on a mission to educate as many people as he can about global warming and the perils it foreshadows for us. He's accomplished that mission. He's even got a cadre of dedicated and talented people to carry on his slide show presentation. "An Inconvenient Truth" has become required viewing in UK and other European classrooms. There isn't a single mentally competent person in the US who doesn't know about Al Gore's message. How many people saw the Live Earth concerts around the world?

Next mission? Position himself in the highest office of the land, a place where *policy decisions* can be made that will have real effects on the ground.

He'll run. No one else can do what needs to be done, and he knows it.

[flyarm]

203. wrong! eom

[IntravenousDemilo]

229. Yes, you do currently have a perfectly wide and good field...

...of people who would make terrific vice-presidents.

But a President Gore, in tandem with a Prime Minister Dion (we're working on that one up here), could really do a lot towards fixing North America's emission problem. Too bad there won't be a presidential election in Mexico any time soon, or we could have that government onside as well.

[goodsnservices]

247. "You people" !?!

We the people are going to be laughing our asses of at "you people" when he declares in October. But it will be from the heart and soul kind of laughter that we hopeful people have when we see our hopes come to fruition. You're going to feel like an idiot then, but "hopefully" you'll turn yourself around and support Al Gore's run for the White House when it happens.

[snappyturtle]

163. K&R If you haven't read this speech "Restoring the Rule of Law"

by Al Gore that he gave at the DAR Convention Hall in Washington on Jan. 16, 2006....do yourself a favor and read it. I heard it on the radio and felt as if "President" Gore was putting his arms around us in a comforting gesture....it's a wonderfully compassionate speech. I cried.

You can read the text or watch a video of this speech here:

http://www.acslaw.org/node/2096

You can also write him a letter, a real letter via snail mail:

Honorable Al Gore
2100 West End Avenue
Suite 620
Nashville,TN 37203

[maxkeiser]

165. does anyone know if this is possible - are write in candidates possible in the U.S.?

is it possible to write in a candidate at the polling station? i.e., could people write in Gore's name when they voted?

[DemReadingDU]

237. I think there are places for a write-in candidate, but

The President is elected by the Electoral College, not by popular vote. :(


edit to add
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Electoral_College

[Javaman]

168. 2012 or 2016 nt

[stubtoe]

169. Doesn't sound to me like he's likely to run this time.

:(

[Milo_Bloom]

170. Its to fun to watch this unfold... (It's obvious he is running!)

Just a few weeks ago he had fallen completely out of love with politics and had no desire to ever return... but wait.. here is a window being opened AND the statement that will "force" him to enter the race.

""There is no single candidate that is putting forward a comprehensive argument about the environment or making climate change a priority," Gore said. "

He knows this is going to spread... he waits until he drops out of the press and then issues some statement that moves him "one step closer".

Does anyone really believe that one of the candidates is going to suddenly come forward with a NEW environment policy OR suddenly declare themselves the environment candidate?

I think the only people left who can absolutely believe he isn't running are those who have a vested interest in his not running, either because they some sick attachment to the fact that he didn't run in 2004 OR they have already fallen in love with a candidate and know he will take the nomination when he enters.

[Hawkowl]

224. Agree 100%

Also let's not forget a coincidental corroboration with Hillary's snippy comments blaming Gore for the telecommunications act last week. She knows he's about to enter and stomp her good.

[SharonRB]

172. I sure hope it's compelling enough

Thanks for posting all those links -- keep spreading the word, and please also post in the Gore group!

[Greyskye]

173. Now if only Clark were is VP

GORE / CLARK!

Now that's unbeatable!

[Maestro]

181. Please, please, please

and take Kucinich as VP!

[myrna minx]

183. Please tell me this is true.

:-)

[davidwparker]

193. He doesn't have to go through the dog and pony show. We know who he

is. He just needs to announce before the filing deadline to be in the primaries.

It's Hillary's to loose, but Gore's to take.

[Gen. Jack D. Ripper]

198. If he doesn't run, I'm just writing him in.

So, Al, Run already.

[DJKDJKDJK]

204. This reminds me of that Tears for Fears song

Everybody wants to rule the world.

www.dennis4president.com

[n2doc]

206. Great TOON on Gore

[uberblonde]

208. If you're serious, draft him.

I mean it. Organize your area, get the petitions, circulate 'em, let's get him on the ballot.

I think he's waiting to see how engaged people are.

[SharonRB]

220. That's what the draft groups are working on

[goodsnservices]

252. I hear there are ballot initiatives

in a bunch of states to put his name on the primary ballots. Try www.gorehub.com for more info.

[JuniperLea]

212. He will save a hell of a lot of money by not entering the race...

Until the very end.

Smart, really. Let the other candidates beat each other up, get all the nastiness out of the way... then waltz in like a knight in shining armour and walk away with the prize!

That's how it works out in my fantasy anyway.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

213. Al Gore, please save us from corporate whore Democratic canidates.

[emmadoggy]

215. The suspense is freakin' killing me! But Al is totally worth the wait.

If he does announce, I will fall to my knees and cry for joy. The time for Al is now. He has all the momentum going for him right now. This is his time. WE NEED HIM NOW!!

Please, Al, for the sake of all our children and grandchildren - RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[ProudDad]

216. He'd completely piss of 3 people if he ran now (n/t)

[Scout1071]

221. Get your 100% organic Al Gore T's and hats right here:

http://shop.goreganic.com

[robertpaulsen]

222. By the power of Nostradamus, I predict he will run in 2012.

Channeling Nostradamus: My predictions for 2007-2012.
http://progressiveindependent.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=72471

[EnricoFermi]

223. Fascism should be the priority

Although I know that the corporately corrupt climate haters are a subset of the neocon party anyway.

[Uncle Joe]

225. I would highly recommend

reading "The Assault on Reason", if you haven't already read it. I believe you will find the book most enlightening, empowering and inspiring.

[EnricoFermi]

231. I will, thanks :)

[Uncle Joe]

235. Also, welcome to D.U.

:hi:

[goodsnservices]

255. Fascism is only a problem when

the democracy that births it is weak. Strengthen democracy and we've got no unsurmountable problems with fascists. Read Walter Laqueur's "Fascism, Past, Present, Future."

[Kazak]

226. Ah ha! The stance softening has begun!!!

:thumbsup:

[Alexander]

228. Gore is right, none of the other candidates are really addressing climate change...

So far Edwards is the only one making headway on the issue, and even what he's doing isn't much.

I cringed when I heard the responses on what the Democratic candidates did for the environment. Particularly Obama's "Well, we just had Earth Day and planted some trees..." comment.

Unless one of the Democratic candidates gets behind the climate change issue 100%, we can count on a Gore presidency.

[SharonRB]

236. Actually, Richardson has been talking about it

and the Sierra Club has rated his plan the highest.

[Alexander]

291. The same Richardson who shut down the NM 2004 recount...

And thinks homosexuality is a choice?

No thanks.

[JuniperLea]

230. Nobody does it better...

[malaise]

254. I'm sure he'll be getting lots of press during Bush's

Climate Change summit (yes Bush is hosting a climate change summit :puke: ).
Run Al Run!!!

[JuniperLea]

256. I'm sure THAT will be quite informative!

NOT!!

[goodsnservices]

257. Gawd, can you imagine his smirky face

making environmental pronouncements? Yech!

[JuniperLea]

260. The head bobbing...

The shoulder shrugging... heh heh... wanna see pollution? Pull my finger... heh heh...

He's an embarrassment.

[goodsnservices]

264. "and Baseball Commissioner George W. Bush assures

me that "We will find the steroid abusers if we have to tap every phone in America!" "

lol!

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

[malaise]

263. It should be a hoot

I'm just amazed that any world leaders accepted his invitation. Anyway Gore will get lots of publicity during that farce.

Here's a link
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/08/03/bush-climate.html?ref=rss

[goodsnservices]

271. He KNOWS he has to step up and assume the responsibility...

These aren't "political games." The truth of the matter is that we're at a cusp like never before. What we decide, and what Al Gore decides this year, will greatly affect the world for better or worse. We know that the most recent peer-reviewed (not junk science republican mouthpiece reviewed) article on global warming warns that we will face dire consequences in not 20, 30 or 40 years down the road, but as near to us as a single hand full of years if we don't do something drastic NOW!!!

http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSN0837368420070809

We simply can't wait another four or eight or sixteen years until the mess from this past administration is smoothed over by someone else.

Al knows this. He knows it better than anyone else in the world. He also is a man of deep conscience and conviction. He's going to step up to the plate because he KNOWS he's the only person on the planet who has even a breath of a chance of leading policy decisions to turn this fucking disaster around.


(reprinting this comment here before it gets deleted for offending someone notorious for having non-offensive threads deleted)

[RestoreGore]

276. Pablum

He is already leading and taking great responsibility. It's up to you to do your part now and that doesn't mean just cheerleading for him and making this about him, which he has stated it is not. He is by far the greatest global environmental ambassador we have and he would not be able to devote 24/7 to a crisis you claim is primary if he were stuck in the muck of that toxic beltway now, and there is nothing you can say to convince me otherwise. I trust his judgement. Perhaps you should too if you support him.

[goodsnservices]

286. I believe you when you say

There's nothing I can say (or anyone else) to convince you otherwise. No need to state the obvious. That doesn't mean that people reading these threads can't benefit from a bit of perspective from me and other members of this forum.

I do my part, as much as I can to reduce my personal carbon footprint. I'm sure most of the folks posting here do to. It isn't enough by itself. Not. by. a. long. shot.

[earth mom]

274. GORE 2008. 'Nuff Said.

[JTFrog]

279. I wonder what Gore would think about those

that constantly harass his supporters here. I would like to think that he feels debate is healthy and that discussion of facts can be productive. I've watched how the man has gained respect around the world. He certainly didn't do it by hurling insults at those he disagreed with. He calmly presents scientific facts and argument to back up his stance.

I'd like to think that Mr. Gore would be horrified to see the way that some of his so-called supporters treat those who are encouraging him to run for President. Insult, offend, condemn, harass. I doubt that this would be acceptable to this great and honorable man.

If he were truly insulted by our supporting his candidacy in 2008, I think he would have said or done something about it himself by now. He's perfectly capable of taking care of himself.

Thank you Mr. Gore for your continued efforts to combat Global Warming and for working with countries around the world to solve the crisis. Thank you for Assault on Reason, for I thought I was losing my mind and then you showed me that someone really understands. Thank you for Live Earth. Thank you for An Inconvenient Truth. Thank you for your years of public service to your country. Thank you for everything you've done and everything you continue to do on behalf of the children of this planet. Thank you for enlightening me and helping me make much needed changes in my life.

Last, but not least, thank you for leaving the door open Mr. Gore and for giving me some hope to grasp onto each morning when I wake up.

[countingbluecars]

281. Great post! eom

[elizfeelinggreat]

282. Yes!

Well said.

[goodsnservices]

287. Well said and seconded. n/t

[emmadoggy]

293. Bravo!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[DesertRat]

300. Late night kick for President Gore!