If Al Gore ran as an independent in 2008, would he be a spoiler?

[0rganism]

Poll question: If Al Gore ran as an independent in 2008, would he be a spoiler?

Scenario: Al Gore declares an independent presidential candidacy, running against both Democratic and Republican nominees in the general election.
Question: Is Al Gore a "spoiler"?
(use dictionary.com's #6: spoil·er -noun ... 6. any competitor, entrant, or candidate who has no chance of ultimate victory but does well enough to spoil the chances of another.)

[ronnykmarshall]

1. Spoiler is right

Another one of these fucking polls and my lunch is coming back up.

[TahitiNut]

2. Well, when it does be sure to post it so DU can pick it apart.

:silly:

[JuniperLea]

3. As suspected, the NO's are winning in your poll... eom

[0rganism]

6. Interesting that a plurality thinks Gore would win

I'm glad I put that in as an option, as it seems to be the accepted rationale for Gore's exemption. If he lost, would the Democratic candidate be considered the spoiler? :shrug:

[book_worm]

4. An Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, Rudy race would be won by Rudy

It would be just like 1912 when TR challenged Taft and allowed Wilson to win with 43% or would be like 1992 when Perot got 19% and Clinton won with 43%. The only question is who would come in third--Clinton or Gore. People here on DU think that Clinton would be a sure loser, but in actuality she has a lot of Democratic support around the country. The Democratic vote would be split--allowing a Republican--any Republican to win.

[Catchawave]

5. That's what I think....Gore and Hill (or any other Dem) would split the vote.

We can only hope Bloomberg runs to split the GOP vote :D

[Uncle Joe]

7. That only happened after Teddy Roosevelt made the mistake

of endorsing his more conservative Secretary of War Taft for the Presidency, instead of running for reelection him self, after Taft came to power, Roosevelt lost faith in him as Taft became too conservative for Roosevelt's taste. This is one of my fears should Al Gore sit this one out or not be drafted.

[book_worm]

8. Yes, TR ruled himself out for 1908 because of the supposed "third term" thing

even though he actually was elected to one term on his own right in 1904. He later regretted doing this. But had he run in 1908 it would have been as a Republican not a bull-mooser and he surely would have won as a Republican by a bigger margin than even Taft did in '04.

[Uncle Joe]

9. I agree except for 04 at the end of your post,

should be 08.

Edit for P.S. Of course it wasn't illegal to run for a third term until after F.D.R.