Ok, Gore is NOT Nobel bound...

[npincus]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=21062

Yet. (post revised)

Sen. Barbara Boxer's office just contacted us to say former Vice President Al Gore has been called "overseas" for a trip related to his work on global warming and has canceled his scheduled appearance Thursday in San Francisco at a fundraiser for Boxer's re-election effort. So the Boxer fundraiser -- which was to include Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne -- is off until Nov. 9.

Here's a note Boxer sent supporters about the change:

I just got a call from Vice President Al Gore. He told me that he needs to travel abroad tomorrow for an exciting and urgent mission that could result in a major breakthrough in the fight against global warming.

Unfortunately, this means that we must postpone our Thursday, October 11th event with him until Friday, November 9th. I wanted to be sure to e-mail you tonight in case you were planning on attending.

[NYCGirl]

1. FALSE ALARM. He was going to China, not Sweden, and that has been postponed.

The cable news nets are hyperventilating over news today that Al Gore canceled an appearance at a Barbara Boxer fundraiser on Thursday, suggesting it means he's heading to Sweden to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, which is announced tomorrow.

Memo to the media: the Nobel Peace Prize announcement is tomorrow, but the ceremony isn't until December 10.

In fact, Gore is apparently heading to China, not Sweden. Sources at the Google Zeitgeist conference, where Gore spoke last night, tell the Huffington Post the former VP has told people he's off to speak to Chinese government officials about the environment. (For what it's worth, Boxer's press release only says that Gore "told me that he needs to travel abroad tomorrow for an exciting and urgent mission that could result in a major breakthrough in the fight against global warming.")

UPDATE: Now even his China trip is canceled:

Gore spokeswoman Kalee Kreider threw cold water on the rampant speculation, however, in an email exchange with The Fix earlier today.
"The events in California were postponed because of a request to participate in senior level meetings on the climate crisis in Asia," Kreider said. "However, early Thursday morning these meetings were postponed." As a result, Gore will resume his planned trip in California today and tomorrow will be a "normal long business day" according to Kreider. On Saturday, Gore is set to return to his home in Nashville.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/10/11/al-gore-tells-people-hes_n_68072.html

[npincus]

5. oh, crap. Note to me: Cancel the Happy Dance.

thanks for clearing that one up.

[babylonsister]

2. He's going to China. I'll find a link. nt

[seemslikeadream]

3. urgent mission that could result in a major breakthrough

;)

[11 Bravo]

4. Wow! And I thought Limbaugh was a shoo-in!

Oh well, at least the fat bastard sold a few more cheesy coffee mugs.

[grytpype]

6. He's going to the North Pole to announce his candidacy with his running mate Santa Claus

[Deja Q]

8. Will he swim or fly there?

:hide:

[Blue Belle]

15. Well... if we Gore supporters swear he is our savior...

we're fully expecting him to walk across that water. :eyes:

[Swamp Rat]

16. LOL!

Suuuupermaaaaan!

[MasonJar]

7. He would mot have to be in Europe to win the prize.

[grytpype]

9. I thought it was like a raffle... you have to be present in order to win

[11cents]

10. People who win Nobels don't travel to Sweden immediately to pick them up!

They would look pretty ridiculous if they did that.

The presentation ceremony is held considerably after the announcements. Literature and Peace recipients (at least) are expected to give substantive addresses which they need time to prepare.

[underpants]

11. Yes but Al, when out of the suit, can make the Earth spin backward

[FreeState]

13. Especially since they are awarded in NORWAY! n/t

[Guaranteed]

14. I think they just Fed Ex them to you, with a suitcase full of cash. nt

[Mike03]

12. Wasn't physicist Richard Feynman

asleep in bed at this home in Pasadena, California, when some friend of his called him up to let him know he'd won. I don't think this is like the Oscars, where everybody walks along the red carpet and shows up in person. But maybe I'm mistaken.