If Gore wanted to run for president again--why didn't he try in 2004?

[book_worm]

I think he would have easily gotten the nomination. I think several of the candidates who did run were waiting to see what Gore was going to do. It was less than four years after the 2000 election debacle and it was still an explosive issue with democrats. It would have pitted him up against the man who stole the election the first time--George W. Bush, a man he beat in the popular vote in 2000 and had all the votes been counted in Florida--the elecoral vote. He was the titular head of the Democratic party and in 2004 he could have led a great crusade against the man who 1) stole the presidency and 2) used it to start an illegal war.

on Edit:
I didn't state my point. My point is Gore would have had the nomination on a silver platter and the moral issue of having the presidency stolen from him in 2004. He choose not to run. I truly think that he is over and done with the thought of being president. I don't think he will run in 2008.

[janx]

1. Gore had a press conference in which he explained why he

wasn't going to run. Basically, he said he didn't want to repeat the contest between himself and the Chimp so soon after the 2000 fiasco. He did, however, promise to endorse one of the candidates later.

He kept that promise and later endorsed Howard Dean.

[book_worm]

4. Yes, I know he endorsed Dean, who I supported

and I thank you for the explanation, but I still feel that not running in '04 is a clear indication he will not run again for president. He could have stopped Bush four years ago and led the country out of Iraq by this time. Millions of people were ready to give him the chance again.

[janx]

6. It doesn't necessarily follow that because he chose not to

run in 2004 that he'll never run again. Likewise, it doesn't follow that he will. :shrug:

[Deep13]

2. The odds against a second attempt are pretty long.

Only one candidate has lost a general election and then won on a second attempt in the last 100 years: Nixon. Besides, if he couldn't do it in '00, he probably figured it would be harder in '04 with the power of incumbency and the wrole war presidency thing on Dumbass' side.

[Sukie1941]

3. He didn't try because he didn't want to run

Gore was busy working on global warming at that time. And I hope he keeps it up because that is more important than him being president at this point.

[JuniperLea]

8. blah

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This tune is getting tiresome.

I've never seen so much Kool-Aid swilling at DU before! What the hell is going on??

[Sukie1941]

19. Why did you "blah" me?????

I said pretty much what everyone else is saying.

[JuniperLea]

20. Count again...

The nay-sayers (your group) are highly out-numbered.

[RestoreGore]

21. Naysayers?

Why? Because some aren't here shaking pom poms all day? What the hell does that prove? How is it being a naysayer to SUPPORT THE MAN, but more importantly THIS PLANET and HIS efforts to work to save it for the future?

[sellitman]

5. If you really are a "Book Worm"

Read Al Gore's last book and you will know why he didn't run in 2004 and may not run now.

I heartily recommend it.

Google: The Assault On Reason.

[book_worm]

12. That's my whole point. It would have made sense to run in '04 rather than '08

And that's why I feel that he isn't running at all--that he's moved on. And yes I've read his book.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

17. The country wasn't ready in 2004.

I think many are now slapping their foreheads, however, and saying "Damn, he was right!". With all of his highly visible accomplishments over the past (almost) 8 years, he's much better positioned than in 2004.

[aikoaiko]

7. He could, but it would have been a repeat of the last election and people were still in 9/11 mode

Now he has recast himself -- he is a different, arguably better, Al Gore now. I don't love Al Gore like some around here do, but he is a better candidate now than 2004 (and 2000).

But if the man won't run - he won't run. Some people can't stand the thought of losing twice so they stop trying.

[book_worm]

10. By 2004 people were beginning to wake up about Iraq and Bush's approval ratings were in the 40s

The election itself was very close. Could Gore have run a better campaign than Kerry and won? Who knows.

[aikoaiko]

15. I agree with you, but you asked why now and not then.

I think the answer for why now is that he is a better Gore now -- less so in 2004.

[cascadiance]

9. Why didn't Hillary run in 2004?

[Deep13]

18. Still in her first term in the Senate.

Besides, it is easier to go after an open seat than to challenge an incumbent.

[DangerDave921]

11. HE WILL NOT RUN!

Gore will not run. Period. End of sentence.

The man has moved on. He is adored around the world. He is on a differentl level than even the president. So he has zero interest in being president anymore.

[book_worm]

13. Exactly!

And a good indication is not running in '04 when he would have been the heir apparent.

[JTFrog]

14. If he had zero interest, he would say so.

But we'll let you pretend your crystal ball is intact.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

16. 9/11 was an even more "explosive" issue with much of the country.

I have no idea re Gore's reasons, but in 2004, much of the country was still whipped into a jingoistic frenzy and 9/11 would trump stolen election. Using your stolen election reasoning, Kerry (or any Democrat) could have run on it, but it wasn't enough to win. Slowly, we seem to be coming out of the frenzy (all but for the 29%ers gunnin' for Eye-ran). The majority of the country wasn't ready to accept "illegal war," but more and more I think people are starting to realize it (they may never admit illegal, but they do want out).

Timing is everything and if he does enter the 2008 race, he's incredibly well-positioned (respected on world stage, Nobel prize, elder statesman, etc.). It's taken 7 years, but he's fully "vindicated" himself from the attacks by the right-wing slime machine. (I'm sure they're still clinging to "I created the Internet" and Love Story, but phuck 'em--hopefully only the craziest of the crazies will believe that nonsense.) Many of the naysayers are coming around and as an example, I give you my wingnut neighbor who now signs her e-mails with "Help save the planet - please print this only if necessary". Considering we've had the hottest summer on record in this state and enough water to last us until 1/24/08, even she's listening to Mr. Gore.

No more "crusades," please. ;-)