Al Gore: "Decided" vs "Planning"

[FourScore]

AL GORE QUOTES:

"I’ve decided that I will not be a candidate for president in 2004 ... And I found that I’ve come to closure on this. I don’t think it’s the right thing for me to be a candidate in 2004." 12/15/2002 -Interview with Leslie Stahl 60 Minutes


"I'm not planning to be a candidate again. I haven't reached a stage in my life where I'm willing to say I will never consider something like this." 3/21/06 at Middle Tennessee State University

OR a more recent similar statement with a twist (but nothing really new in it)...

"I don't have plans to be a candidate again so I don't really see it ("it" being the Nobel Prize)in that context at all. I'm involved in another kind of campaign. It's a global campaign to change the way people think about the climate crisis." (One he could do best from the White House) 10/17/2007 NRK

I've decided versus I'm not planning.

Hmmm ...what's the difference between these statements. One sounds firm. Definite. Decisive, shall we say? The other one speaks of "plans" and "a different kind of campaign".

Well, I happen to think he is running a different kind of campaign and the right wing media know it and it scares the shit out of them. Until he comes out witha a CLEAR, DEFINITIVE statement like the in-depth one made for Leslie Stahl in 2002 -- I 'm gonna say he's still our hope.

The man's not stupid. He knows the power of words and how to play them.

Just read this 2002 interview transcript:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/12/15/60minutes/main533091.shtml

Until I hear something like that, until I hear: NO I DEFINITELY WILL NOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT, he's still a possibility in my book.




DRAFT GORE 2008

[kestrel91316]

1. I also think the door is still open. He is watching and waiting and

enjoying his soapbox.

My President. I am ever hopeful that he will find his rightful place at the White House SOON.

[jojo54]

2. I've said it before and damn, I hope I'm wrong.

I've concluded that he's done with the posturing that goes along with a political career.

But like I've said, DAMN, I HOPE I'M WRONG!!!! Come on Al, we need you big time!

[acmavm]

3. Yeah, I agree with you. I think he's rather fed up with politics. The

campaigning part. He was soooooooo badly smeared by the press and the bush** bots. I would hold a grudge too. Sometimes if you get an unfair ass-whippin' you just don't do whatever it was that caused it to happen a second time.

[FourScore]

4. I hope you are wrong too. I REALLY hope it. n/t

[Uncle Joe]

5. I agree 100%

Thanks for the thread, whereismyparty.

[mod mom]

6. RUN AL RUN- we really need a visionary leader like you now!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

7. He's. Not. Running.

I like him, I'd vote for him, but Al Gore is not running for President.

[dysfunctional press]

9. Yet.

nt

[mopinko]

8. if he wasn't running, he would endorse

one of the other candidates. til he does that, i hold out hope.

[KittyWampus]

10. This is pathological. He is not running. Please join the reality based community.

[Kurovski]

11. I don't know.

Maybe English is not the "reality based" community's first language?

The fact is no one knows for sure. But thanks for the insults. They were ineffective but ever so fun! :-)

[smoogatz]

19. He's clearly leaving the rhetorical door open a crack.

At least it's clear to those of us who are capable of reading for obvious subtext.

[glitch]

66. So is this. Think about it. nt

[Milo_Bloom]

12. I fully believe he is leaning heavily toward running.

This based on one simple fact... Al Gore is not an idiot or a cruel person.

He knows the amount of time, money and energy being spent on his behalf AND he also knows he could stop it immediately, just like he did in 2002 with the Draft Gore Movement (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/08/AR2007020801273.html "In 2002, Gore asked Malone to stop a draft effort he had begun; Malone did. Malone started up again and, so far, Gore hasn't waved him off." In fact, as of Oct 13th, Dylan is still out there pushing for a Gore run http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071013/NEWS01/710130343/1001/NEWS "Dylan Malone is the chair of AlGore.org, an organization and a Web site meant to link grassroots Gore organizations around the country.

"My best estimation is that between us we've raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and gathered twice that many names and e-mail addresses of Gore supporters," Malone said. "That dwarfs the presidential campaigns of some of the people who are real, live, honest-to-God candidates."


So, why is Al Gore not only drawing a distinction in language between 2002 and 2007, but also allowing people to spend so much time and money on his behalf? If Al honestly had NO PLANS to run, wouldn't he encourage this money to spent on other candidates OR on Global Warming? Further, as he continues to issue his non-denial, denial and refuses to make a definitive statement, he knows that he continues to create the expectation that he will run. He is smart enough to know that the longer he holds out, the more he allows people to get their hopes up, the more there will be a BACKLASH if he does not run. This type of backlash can only hurt his future prospects as his most dedicated supporters will feel somewhat led on by his coy statements.

So, at the end, I am left with 3 possibilities.

#1) Al Gore is stupid and doesn't realize the expectation he is creating and that people are spending so much effort and money on his behalf.

#2) Al Gore is heartless, doesn't really care about these people, their time, effort or money and just enjoys having his ego stroked knowing that people want him to be a leader.

#3) Al Gore actually WANTS to run and plans on doing so, but is doing so in a different an innovative way, by putting his ideas out there and allowing a grass roots organization to form around ideas, rather than retail politicking.

Given those choices, I see only one true option.

[KoKo]

13. Yes....I believe it's #3. He's looking for a different way of

running...that isn't running. From what I've seen of him through the years I don't see options #1 and 2 being possible.

[Xithras]

14. Your forgetting possibility #4

Al Gore realizes that there are more important things on this Earth than becoming the President of the United States. He rightly realizes that he is becoming a global figure in the fight against climate change, and is concerned that by becoming involved in politics again, he will be alienating many of the Democratic parties political opponents, and the governments of many nations around the world. He understands that by fighting climate change from a NON-governmental standpoint, he will be more readily accepted by people of all political faiths, in more nations around the globe. He also realizes that by becoming President, he will be forced to divert his attention from the fight against climate change, and instead be forced to focus on less important issues like health care, Iraq, the national economic crisis, etc. As a climate change devotee, he instead wants to focus on that ONE issue, where he has a chance to make a real and profound global impact.

Given that choice, I see only one true option. I wanted Gore to run as well, but it isn't going to happen, and I can respect his reason for not doing so. Care for our global environment is more important than American politics.

[Milo_Bloom]

15. So you are in the #1 or #2 camp.

Do you think he is too stupid to issue a denial or too heartless and wishes to have people expend this much effort on a fruitless effort?

[Xithras]

22. He has.

Despite the attempts at deconstructing his denials to turn them into affirmations, he has made it clear that he has no intention of running (here's a hint as to the reason for the "inconsistencies" in his verbiage: he was a politician before and everything was vetted through a speechwriter...he doesn't have one of those anymore). He didn't ask for the Draft Gore movement to expend so much money and energy on him, and he has made it clear now that he has no intention of running. Deny it all you want, but his motives are pretty clear.

And Gore is not heartless. Far from it. He simply realizes that Americans are just one small subset of humanity, and is serving a higher calling to improve the lives of ALL humankind. The world needs him more than we do.

I really do wish he'd run, and I'd vote for him in a heartbeat if he did, but it just isn't going to happen.

[Milo_Bloom]

24. So you are in camp #1, you think he is stupid.

The Al Gore you know can't understand the political distinction between saying he has "no intention of running" and the statement that he is not running for president in 2008 and this is because he, let me get this straight... because he doesn't have speechwriters anymore? In fact, when asked to clarify directly, he has done a little side-step to SPECIFICALLY state that he has not ruled it out, even for 2008.

He didn't have those "speechwriters" in 2002 either. Why was he able to issue a definitive declaration for the 2004 election and reach out to the draft gore movement and ask them to stop, but is unable to find those same words today... has senility set in?

There really are only 3 possibilities.

#1) Stupidity: He somehow thinks he has officially denied running and can't understand why people keep asking him the question.

#2) Cruelty: He gets it, but wants to string people along.

#3) The door is absolutely not closed and he wants it open for a very specific reason.

[Xithras]

27. Normal people wouldn't latch onto that distinction.

Quit stretching. "I have no intention of running" is pretty damned clear to most people. Does that leave the door open slightly? Sure, it's theoretically possible that SOMETHING might happen to get him to change his mind. It's not a flat out no, but he probably understands that most reasonable people understand his intentions.

I supported the Draft Gore movement, and I wish it had worked, but I'm no longer going to waste any energy on this. He's out of contention. I have no clue who I'm going to support now (Bill Richardson seems to have the most aggressive and well defined environmental plan, but his campaign is virtually nonexistant), but I'm going to spend my time working towards the election of a green candidate that is actually running a CAMPAIGN.

While I'm not a single issue voter, there are two or three make-or-breaks for me. The environment happens to be the most important. More important that Iraq OR the economy. The world is bigger than America.

[Milo_Bloom]

30. So camp #2 then.

"but he probably understands that most reasonable people understand his intentions."

The thousands of people currently organizing to gather signatures and spending money to take out ads, he doesn't care about them and rather than issue a simple definitive, he doesn't mind seeing them waste their time or money because most people get it and rather than clarify, he doesn't have the time or enegery to say the specific words that he has said before. That is your new spin for the difference between 2002 and 2007, because remember, we have been here before and he reached out to those SAME people and asked them to stop.

Screw em' all says Gore, I know I could stop them, but it is fun to watch them stand in the cold and rain and gather signatures, but those people are "unreasonable".

[SlowDownFast]

LOL!

You get it, Milo!

Some folk just don't understand politics or logic or political logic.

I think your reasoning is clear as day.

:applause:

[sojourner]

68. wow! how did you post without getting a post number?

just wondering...:hi:

[SlowDownFast]

75. Ancient Chinese Secret.

Kick!

[FourScore]

34. Al Gore is notorious for writing his own speeches.

And he certainloy didn't have one in 2002 when he had that interview with Leslie Stahl.

[smoogatz]

17. That would sort of make sense, except

that Gore would have the power as president to actually make policy on climate change. He could send the congress a bill to replace the payroll tax with a carbon tax the day after he's sworn in. He could, with help from congress (and to some extent by executive order) make an immediate difference in the amount of CO2 the U.S. was producing. He could sign onto mandatory emissions reductions along with the EU, Japan and others who are committed to slowing global warming. If you're a leader, a real leader, which would you rather be? Quarterback, or head cheerleader?

[Xithras]

23. For one nation.

Gore, in case you missed the memo, has been travelling the world to spread the message and ramp up global support for anti-warming measures. As an American President, he would no longer be able to do that.

For example: Iran has been having a real problem with global warming lately. Drought, dessication of wetlands, loss of farmland, and other issues have become a real problem over there. An independent Al Gore could conceivably meet with the Iranian government and help them to propose mitigating measures to lower their global carbon footprint and do their part to end the problem. President Gore, on the other hand, would be seen as an enemy of Iran and would be ignored as a meddling western infidel.

Remember, the U.S. is no longer the worlds largest producer of greenhouse gasses. While addressing their production in the U.S. would help to slow global warming, only a global approach has any chance of truly stopping it. Gore can't champion a global approach while chained down with the responsibilities of running a nation.

Which is more important, the future of the entire planet, or having our man win what is macroscopically a regional election next year?

[smoogatz]

26. I'm pretty sure you're wrong about the U.S. not being the biggest

producer of greenhouse gases. I just Googled it, and we appear to still be slightly ahead of China. Besides, that's not the point--Gore could still act as international climate ambassador as president. Iran (and the rest of the world) would likely see his election as a most welcome change of direction for the U.S. government. And of course he'd have to power, as I said, to immediately move ahead with CO2 reductions here in the U.S., which would make an actual, measurable difference right away. Cheerleader or quarterback? Which do we need more?

[Xithras]

32. Cheerleader.

I despise that mentality. There are LOTS of people who can implement climate change laws, what we need are people who can get our leadership to do so. Richardson, Edwards, and Kucinich ALL have climate change reduction plans that meet or even beat those outlined by Gore. Muscle isn't the issue. Our problem, traditionally, has been organization. We need someone to hold the hands of the nations, to cajole them into using their muscle to actually DO something. That's a cheerleader role. It's what Gore has spent the last several years doing, and he's been highly effective at it.

By the way: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/03/05/MNG18OFHF21.DTL. Yes, China has eclipsed the U.S. as he largest producer. If the actual passing hasn't happened yet, the latest projections put it at next month.

It's also important to put that status in context. Even if the U.S. is still the single largest producer of greenhouse gasses, we produce only about 20% of the gasses generated globally. If the U.S. were to totally cease greenhouse gas production tomorrow, that would equate to only a 20% global reduction in output. It would slow global warming down, but it wouldn't stop it. Only a global approach, with all nations reducing output, has any chance of succeeding.

[smoogatz]

33. Richardson, Edwards and Kucinich combined

poll at about half of Hillary's numbers. If Gore doesn't run, she's the nominee (maybe even if he does). If she runs, there's a reasonable chance she'd lose. Then you've got Rudy or Mitt-the-empty-suit in the White House. you think Gore's going to exert this global influence of his over either of those assholes? If you hate the cheerleader/quarterback metaphor, you might try asking yourself whether we've reached the point of awareness sufficiently to begin moving ahead with policy change. It's my view that we have; what we need now is the political courage to act. That won't happen unless people like Gore are in leadership positions. And, obviously, nobody's more like Gore than Gore.

[Milo_Bloom]

41. This is just untrue

"Gore, in case you missed the memo, has been travelling the world to spread the message and ramp up global support for anti-warming measures. As an American President, he would no longer be able to do that."

American Presidents can't travel the world and try to rally for a cause? Someone should have told bush that when he was going all over trying to drum up support for the Iraq war.

"For example: Iran has been having a real problem with global warming lately. Drought, dessication of wetlands, loss of farmland, and other issues have become a real problem over there. An independent Al Gore could conceivably meet with the Iranian government and help them to propose mitigating measures to lower their global carbon footprint and do their part to end the problem. President Gore, on the other hand, would be seen as an enemy of Iran and would be ignored as a meddling western infidel."

So you are saying that Al Gore, American Capitalist, would be greeted with open arms, but Al Gore, President, would be rejected. I would think that the number of times Iran has reached out to the US and Bush in the last several years would mean I wouldn't have to state the obvious... Iran's leadership and government is desperately looking for credibility and help... President Gore would be welcomed in any capacity.

The actual reality is that Global Warming is such a big problem ONLY government can solve it and being in office as President is the best chance to actually change policy and get something done.

[tridim]

18. There is nothing more important at this pivotal point in history than Gore becoming President. nt

[SlowDownFast]

20. Apparently post #12 just zoomed right over your head. n/t

[Marnieworld]

25. .

1)Being the president of the United States is a global position with global power. He only gains from it.
2)He will always be alienated from the Democratic Party's political opponents-he could not be more than he is now. Have you heard what they say about him lately?
3)He is beloved now internationally. I recall a time where a Democratic President of the United States could be revered by the world. I see no reason why their feelings about him would change. It would be nice not to be hated again.
4)Just because someone is elected to a political office does not change global warming into a political issue. His work has made it more non-political than it's ever been. Having a position to affect change directly is a logical extension of his efforts and no one would fault him for that.
5)As far as other issues, he cares about them too. That's why so many of us are passionate about him because we agree with his thoughts on those as well. He already is diverting his attention to those issues by creating and posting online just days ago videos having nothing to do with global warming. Just like a candidate, an American, he cares about what is ailing the country beyond the needs of the planet. The Assault on Reason is further evidence of focus beyond the climate- you are misinterpreting his intentions to have one issue.

[cascadiance]

29. But he won't have the real POWER to implement change!

Now you say he could get diverted in a lot of other directions. This may be true, but part of solving this crisis is getting rid of the corporate power over our government. If he could help put things in like public campaign financing, etc. and get in a new generation of pols that will want to really work together and work aggressively at making larger changes, that to me would be more effective than constantly lobbying our government when it is still beholden to the corporations that are fighting against him on this. The rest of the world has been trying to lobby us in a similar fashion with Kyoto, etc. too. And you see where that's got them (and us!). Now we won't have George Bush to deal with 2009 (one at least HOPES we don't!), so it might be better, but even if we have corporate dems in office (which will be likely if he doesn't get in the race), he won't be able to twist their arm enough as much as the corporations will to implement real needed change.

He can work better from the inside than the outside.

Now, if he does become president and does get a lot of good things happening, assuming he has a decent VP to work with him, I could see a VERY good reason for him to not seek a second term and push his VP to look for it, so that he can focus on the environmental issues then. If he's cleared most of the government hurdles while being president for his four year term, I could see it being a very strategic reason that he might want to use to not seek a second term to do what you are describing.

And heck, Cheney's already made the VP very powerful in this administration with rules changes, etc. Maybe if Gore gets a very good VP, he can delegate a lot of the other decision making to the VP to handle so that he can keep more focus on global warming, etc. too.

[SlowDownFast]

16. Right on.

Excellent post!

:thumbsup:

[cascadiance]

31. And if he does NOT want to run and doesn't want Hillary to win...

... I would think he would have pragmatically already have announced by now that his support is behind Obama or Edwards, etc. so that whomever he chooses can get more power in the polls now right before the primaries.

To not endorse someone yet if he isn't planning on running doesn't strike me as being very pragmatic. I don't think Al Gore is a man who wouldn't think strategically this way.

[FourScore]

37. Beautifully articulated, MB!

I'm goin' with door number 3!

Thanks for the input!!:toast:

[TheDoorbellRang]

42. #3 seems the most reasonable explanation

:thumbsup:

[Virginia Dare]

63. #2, with a caveat..

I don't think he's heartless, but I also don't think he's being coy.

[Me.]

64. Another Possibility

He wants to run but hasn't decided if it will be now or in 2012

[crickets]

71. Excellent post, Milo

:dem:

[RiverStone]

72. I really appreciate your optimism, but...

This will eventually come down the physics - cause and effect.

Al will need to take action at some point soon to simply meet the logistical demands (and filing dates) of big states. There must be a theoretical point where even the most optimistic folks (such as you) say damn - its not happening!

I pondered that very question earlier today here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2078543

Well, in the meantime - I'd love it if your right, but I've moved my hope along.

[Milo_Bloom]

73. Self-Deleted, Responded to other post with answer.

[thetaoofterri]

21. Welcome to my pathological reality...

Run Al Run!!

[yowzayowzayowza]

28. "Error: You've already recommended that thread."

Itz no accident that Gore has not made the same sort of unequivocal statement about an '08 run that he made about a potential '04 run.

[Labors of Hercules]

35. Damn right, He's not being coy, he's being smart.

If he were NOT working toward the 2008 Presidency in a very intelligent way, he would have said so definitively already. (And I do not believe this is just an attempt to extend his time on a soapbox as long as possible either...)

[Stinky The Clown]

36. From your lips to god's ear

You said it better than I ever did, but I've sensed this too. Studied ambiguity, I call it.

[Pastiche423]

38. He IS running a different kind of campaign

and I hope like hell it works!

[Semper_FiFi]

39. This is really so sad.

Really.

[Kurovski]

44. Turn your head away lest your bleeding heart break, oh tender dear.

Those eyes so heavy-laden with damp sorrow bring a swelling pity upon thine countenance.

[SlowDownFast]

47. LOL!

:rofl:

[FourScore]

51. Wow. Where'd you get THAT line,Kurovski???

It's...so...so...perfect!

[Kurovski]

52. The heat of dementia.

A touch of the poet.

And drama-queen-ery.

[FourScore]

53. Great cocktail...I'd love some of that! n/t

[Kurovski]

54. Heady words heeded seek steady deeds done well.

[FourScore]

56. There's a word for that kind of verbal display, you know...

It's called TALENT.

[Kurovski]

57. Don't forget...

unbridled aggressiveness!

[jazzjunkysue]

40. And then the man in the red suit picks up the sack of toys and climbs down the chimney

And after that, the Easter Bunny leaves chocolate eggs in your house for you to find.

And the tooth fairy....

[Kurovski]

43. ...and the tooth fairy grants John Edwards the presidency.

Say! This is fun! :-)

And I'm a John Edwards fan.

[lildreamer316]

60. LOL!!!!!!

:rofl:

[UGADUer]

45. This is an example of overanalyzing something

not much more to say...

[BlackVelvet04]

46. What is the point of all this speculation?

As of right now, he's not running. Picking his words apart and speculating doesn't change a damn thing. Were he to decide to run he will make an announcement saying so. I don't think he will.

[joshcryer]

48. You speculate when you have inadequate information to form a conclusion. Al Gore refuses to...

...form that conclusion for people, thus they speculate. You* cannot blame them, you cannot say you know better than them, you cannot, because you are just speculating like the rest. There simply isn't enough information to go on. You speculate when you write "I don't think he will," for instance.

Of course when one side on this issue is right, in the they'll say they 'knew' all along, but that's not how logic works, sorry to say.

(* not necessarily talking about you specifically, just a general 'you')

[BlackVelvet04]

59. I'm taking him at his word and not speculating. n/t

[SlowDownFast]

49. It's a new religion

that'll bring you to your knees.

BlackVelvet,

if you please:


C'mon, say it with us -

RUN, AL, RUN!!!

[Kurovski]

55. Rodent-wigs and thistle-spigots!

I claim he shall!

[Kurovski]

50. Shoe the mule!!

:kick:

[pacalo]

58. That's exactly the way I feel!

DRAFT GORE 2008

[SlowDownFast]

61. Kickaroni.

With Goreganic cheese.

[ThatsMyBarack]

62. SAVE US, AL!

SAVE US ALL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!!!!!!

[MedleyMisty]

65. I don't get the argument that politics is beneath him

Politics is life. People die because of politics. People suffer because of politics. Part of the reason why the planet is in the mess it's in is politics. Where do you think environmental laws come from, some legal body that is somehow absolutely free of politics?

Really, if he's not part of the government, all he can do is say, "Hey, you guys, you're doing bad things. Stop it." And the people who actually have power and can actually change things by writing up and voting on laws will continue to ignore him and pay much more attention to the checks they get from corporations.

[Uncle Joe]

67. Where did you ever get this idea?

"I don't get the argument that politics is beneath him"

[Pachamama]

69. I've decided to agree with you completely...

I believe Gore hasn't decided anything definite and he is planning a different kind of campaign. I've decided the Corporate Media and the Clinton campaign et al are terrified of him running and are doing all they can to put doubts out there about Gore's intentions and to try and discourage him or anyone supporting him.

Until the day that I hear Gore say "I've decided NOT to run for President of the United States", I will continue to have the hope that he will.

[Javaman]

70. I see, Gore is using some of that old reverse psychology...

saying he's not going to run, means he is.

just like war is peace, freedom is slavery and ignorance is strength.

it's a very sad state of affairs in this nation that the only hope for pulling out sorry ass out of the fix we all put ourselves in, is putting all our hopes on a person who states clearly that he is not running.

picking apart, micro-analyzing, reading very deeply between the lines and finishing thoughts for him. It is truly amazing.

I would love to see Gore run, in fact he is still my only real choice, but the facts are, he's not running.

I find it funny that because the guy doesn't state obviously clear enough for some of those of the gore wanting population in terms along the lines of, "I'm not running, no fucking way in hell. Even if you threaten me with ripping me to shreds and hanging my corpse on the nearest lamppost for the birds to feed on, I am not running!", that they must resort to looking for secret interpretations behind his "message" of running a different kind of campaign.

It certainly is different alright. No stump speeches, no campaign committee, no registering, no collecting of donations, etc.

It's the most effective non-campaign campaigning I have ever seen LOL

Just be prepared that if November comes and goes, don't be surprised if he still hasn't announced. Then please don't go on and on about he's running a "stealth" campaign. That would spiral into the pit of the absurd. He's not running.

But be that as it may, if it gets you through the night to think he's running some sort of super double secret underground stealth campaign, more power to you.

Me, it's still very much a toss up. I do know whom I'm not going to vote for and to me, that's almost worse. It's just a matter of picking the lesser of two evils. Because the person I would like, is not running and the other gets virtually no support from the Dems or the media.

and that scares me to no end.

[helderheid]

74. Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 hours