Al Gore DECLINES To Endorse Hillary Clinton for President

[Segami]

"...In his careful and precise manner, Gore said: "I have taken no steps whatsoever in the direction of a candidacy and my answer has been the same for 10 years now – or more – and you probably heard my answer before: I'm a recovering politician and the longer I go without a relapse, the less likely one becomes..."

If Hillary Clinton is counting on an endorsement from her husband's former vice president, she'll have to wait for it. Al Gore, who served two terms with former President Bill Clinton, politely but firmly declined when PEOPLE asked him if he supports Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.

"It's still too early, in my opinion, to endorse a candidate or pick a candidate," Gore told PEOPLE in an interview to preview his 24-hour climate-change telethon, which starts on Friday.

"Everybody can look at how the presidential campaign is developing and get some pretty clear ideas about how they think it's going to turn out, but I still think it's premature," Gore said. "The election is still a full year away. I think I'll wait to wade into it."

http://www.people.com/article/al-gore-declines-endorse-hillary-clinton-2016

[Hepburn]

1. Nice to hear from President-Elected Gore. n/t

[PatrynXX]

112. yeah he was in exile for 8 yrs

so for 8 yrs we didn't have a President a legal one at least the way the world sees it. like the Govt in Egypt is not legitimate

[DURHAM D]

2. Don't think she will lose any sleep over this.

ETA: Maybe he is waiting on Tipper.

[Hiraeth]

40. ? Can you explain the Tipper comment ? honestly. wtf.

[merrily]

47. True. She'll just find a way to get back at him.

[paleotn]

70. Of course not....

...she's got Lloyd Blankfein to keep her warm and well funded. You know, the same Goldmann CEO who blatantly lied to Congress about their roll in the financial meltdown. Oh, sorry to irritate you with facts. Wouldn't want to interrupt your cult of personality.

[MADem]

101. Tipper has HAD IT with him. They are no longer together.

He went a little middle aged crazy. She'd had enough of his shit. Al is dating an environmental activist, though they aren't divorced.

I agree with those who say that he can wait as long as he wants. He's out of the loop and the GOP would jump on him and pull out all his "baggage" -- and I'm talking about the private life stuff, not the political stuff.

[randys1]

3. And this is a really big scoop for some folks, I see.

Now, I could see why this would be a huge and long thread on a rightwing board, where rwers would GLOAT about this.

But here?

[Warren DeMontague]

6. Yeah, heaven forfend anything should be on the top of GD-P except "A SANDERS SUPPORTER ATE MY BABY"

Al Gore is a respected voice, and his opinion matters. To DEMOCRATS.

[randys1]

14. You are looking at a different board than I am. Way more anti Hillary threads, period.

So are you saying that since he hasnt endorsed her yet, this is a reason to attack her candidacy?

Do you see Al or Bernie attacking her candidacy?

[Warren DeMontague]

22. I see criticism of HRC's positions, and lame-ass ad hominem attacks against "Sanders Supporters".

which is pretty much the same as this place has been for the past couple months.

Also, news flash: She's not the nominee yet, so discussions about her candidacy, or the relative merits thereof- even "attacks"- are not inherently some right wing plot.

[randys1]

26. They arent a GOP plot necessarily, but surely you admit that the

"she cant win" meme is designed to suppress the vote, right?

If this is said about Bernie it can have the same negative result, but you say this about the FRONT RUNNER if you are the opposing party, right?

[Warren DeMontague]

27. So it's okay to say Bernie "Can't Win".... but not Hillary?

One, Al Gore isn't saying "She cant win", is he?

Two, No votes have been cast yet. Another News Flash.

If she's really such a great candidate she should be able to compete and win on the merits, not be protected by people who say "leave her alone, it's her turn!"

... right?

[randys1]

29. did I say that?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027332253

[Warren DeMontague]

31. "but you say this about the FRONT RUNNER if you are the opposing party, right?"

Al Gore's not saying she can't win.

Personally, I've said all along I want her to run a better campaign, which she actually has been doing lately. I believe she can win, if she gets the nomination, and I believe Sanders can, too. I will support the nominee but UNTIL we have a nominee, no one is obligated to support or endorse ANYONE.

[merrily]

54. You understand we are still in primary season, right? Saying Hillary can't win or won't have as

easy as time winning as Sanders will is a reason to vote for Sanders in the primary. It seems so incredibly odd to me that a Sanders supporter such as yourself sees this only from the perspective of Hillary's best interests. Incredibly odd.

[randys1]

55. You are confused, I can clear that up. I see this ONLY from the perspective of making

sure WHOEVER the dem candidate is, wins.

ONLY that, my preference is and I will vote for Bernie, but that is SECONDARY to me because I look at the BIG PICTURE

[merrily]

67. Nope. Doesn't clear up a thing.

[kristopher]

114. No you don't.

Your posts make it blindingly clear you are a disruptor intent on shutting down anyone that views Clinton negatively. Your posts are the worst case of thought policing I've ever seen on DU, and I've been here a long time. You obviously have absolutely no idea what this forum is all about, nor what are the ideals and values that underpin liberalism.

[randys1]

117. Not once have I attempted to shut down discussion or debate, ONLY to shut down ENDLESS non stop

bashing of the leading Democratic Candidate for the WH.

A candidate I dont support in the primary, but the very basis of this forum is to support these candidates.

Sorry, that is a huge fail

[kristopher]

124. The only thing you do is to try and shut down discussion.

Nothing else. Period. Sander's supporters have every right to compare and contrast the candidates and your attempts to prevent that are the worst sort of despicable, antidemocratic behavior. If the mod system were still in place, you'd have been tossed out on your ear.

[NCTraveler]

10. It's now a big deal when they haven't endorsed yet.

interesting the direction taken here. It's a victory when someone has yet to endorse.

[senz]

96. Yes, when some aren't so easily intimidated.

[NCTraveler]

97. What are you talking about?

Who has he endorsed? This makes no sense. I'm going to assume you are being funny. I hope so anyway.

[senz]

100. I was referring to

the fear, among D.C. Democrats, of retaliation by the Clintons.

[Autumn]

16. Seriously, you have an issue with someone posting what Al Gore said

in interview with People??? Here? On a Democratic board and you take issue with it being posted here.

[merrily]

41. No true Bernie supporter, like Randys1, could tolerate a former VP's refusal to endorse Hillary

in the primary, Autumn. I don't get why something like that would surprise you. And you claim to support Bernie!! Get a clue, woman!

[Autumn]

58. Yes I'm sorry. I realize a true Bernie supporter would use all their posts to

praise Hillary or anyone running in the primary other than Saint Bernie He Of The Unholy Supporters and Other People Who Decline To Support Hillary Clinton When The Election Is Still A Full Year Away . Wow, try typing that while holding a glass of wine.

I love President Gore.

[merrily]

59. Mixed emotions here, though I certainly voted for him.

A guy who was going to vote for the first time in 2000 called me from St. Louis, offering to vote for Gore there, where it might matter, if I would vote for Nader in Boston, where it wouldn't matter at all. I turned him down, perhaps stupidly.

[Bluenorthwest]

19. So far this thread has four posts, including mine responind to yours claiming 'huge and long'....

It's also a story about Al Gore, a Democratic former VP, talking about the primary. What the fuck is the problem with that, randys1? Ist Al Gore verbotten?

[randys1]

20. The thread is meant to be demeaning to Hillary and no other reason for it to be posted.

[Warren DeMontague]

28. God, some people are really bent out of shape that she isn't just getting it handed to her, eh.

That's the only way I can explain, like I said elsewhere, the absolutely unhinged HATE displayed here for not just Sen. Sanders but his supporters, who are apparently the worst group of humans to ever ooze from the skim of an algae-covered pond.

[randys1]

30. As a Bernie supporter, I dont want it handed to her. I also dont want the WH handed to

the GOP because they will cause death and destruction.

I call this the "big picture"

[Warren DeMontague]

32. And what evidence do you have that a vigorously contested primary is gonna do anything except help

our eventual nominee win in the general?

[randys1]

87. Vigorously contested and promoting the dont vote, are different, right?

[Warren DeMontague]

89. Leaving aside the tortured Englsh for a moment,

Who is "promoting the dont vote" here?

[Ed Suspicious]

86. Are you kidding? I never realized the strength of your

support for Bernie! I almost can't believe I missed it! Link?

[randys1]

88. It is true I have only said it about 300 times

[Ed Suspicious]

92. Marx is helpful here when he says

". . .our opinion of an individual is not based on what he thinks of himself . . ."

[Android3.14]

125. You keep saying "as a Bernie supporter"

Have you donated to his campaign?

[randys1]

129. I have, but asking me is bad form.

[Android3.14]

130. Android guffaws

You are the expert.

[merrily]

56. She is getting it handed to her, but it's never enough.

FYI: Randys1 has always claimed that supports, and works, for Senator Sanders.

[kristopher]

115. That is obvious!

indulging our fixation with acting as thought police suppressing every real and imaginary criticism against Hillary is how of all us Bernie supporters spend our waking hours.

[merrily]

116. Don't be so sexist!

[Hepburn]

113. Because someone does not endorse her, that demeans her?

Holy smoke...a new and entirely odd-ball meaning for the word "demean."

Who knew...

[merrily]

51. As a self avowed supporter of Sanders, randys1 is understandably upset that Gore won't

pretend that Hillary has already defeated Sanders and O'Malley to win the primary and endorse her for the general.

As a Bernie supporter just like randys1, that makes perfect sense to me!

[merrily]

42. Disappointed that he did not endorse your candidate, Sanders, in the primary?

[randys1]

48. Disappointed so many here are acting like this is a good thing

Look, dont waste your time with me.

I AM THE one on RECORD supporting Bernie and Hillary for the greater good.

I know why I am here.

[Capt. Obvious]

64. "I know why I am here"

You are not alone.

[yeoman6987]

52. Some haven't forgiven him for losing his homestate.

That is really the bottom line. I don't hold it against him. I do think he is yesturday though which is why some don't care if he endorsed or not.

[840high]

62. Had he endorsed her - you would

be bragging.

[senz]

95. +1

Yep, some who now bitterly complain would be "gloat" personified.

And no one can gloat better than them.

[ish of the hammer]

81. No gloating - it is what it is -

[senz]

94. Yes, here. Because some Democrats prefer a non-rightwing candidate.

They're known as "Bernie supporters."

[Fearless]

110. A straw man argument

[Warren DeMontague]

4. who?

pales in comparison to that all-important Katy Perry endorsement, does it not?

derp

[FlatBaroque]

7. I'm holding out to see who Rahm endorses

that's gonna swing it for me.

[Segami]

9. LOL!

[winter is coming]

25. I notice the direction of the swing was unspecified.

[FlatBaroque]

38. An astute observation, friend

[yardwork]

85. Touché!

[Warren DeMontague]

23. Has Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued an official endorsement, yet?

Boy, that's a head-scratcher. I wonder who it will be?

[Wilms]

39. DWS is supposed to be neutral.

Which would be an improvement since she often is in reverse.

[paleotn]

71. ha! Excellent.

[Enthusiast]

127. That would be a valid barometer. I would just vote the opposite of Rahm.

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[merrily]

43. LOL!

[peacebird]

63. Perfect! Love it!

[jeff47]

93. But who have the Kardashians endorsed?!?!?! (nt)

[Autumn]

8. President Gore is such a wise man.

No reason at all to wade into and endorse this early. Every time I see or hear him I mourn for what should have been.

a recovering politician

[NCTraveler]

12. Really is a great line he has there. Nt

[Agschmid]

17. He would have been an excellent president.

[Autumn]

60. After Bush was inaugurated there was a picture of him in the Oval Office with his feet on the desk.

That picture sent me into a rage for a week because that SOB had his feet on President Gore's desk. I raged at everyone I knew over that.

[Agschmid]

61. I would have as well.

Bush was such an ass.

[PotatoChip]

118. I remember that picture. It made me mad too.

But more than anything, I was just sad for our country when I saw it.

Kind of like this kitty...

[Autumn]

119. Oh cutest ever !!!!

he made me sad

[PotatoChip]

120. IKR? I bet Al would have comforted him if he had been there.

[kelliekat44]

75. No he would not have been. He is not fighter. He gave up! He would have been the same as Presiden

[1monster]

104. The way our governmental system has evolved, the Supreme Court has

the last word. Where was he to take the fight? The only legal option would have been to ask them to reconsider(fat chance!). Any other step would have been insurrection.

[UglyGreed]

11. The Third Way

never did like Al, now I understand why.

[merrily]

46. Meh. He was a founding member of the DLC, right along with Bubba, Hillary,

Warner, et al. He may have pulled away once he won lost in 2000, but it seemed to me he was willing to ride that horse as far as it would take him. Of course, we will never know what his Presidency would have been like--though many posters claim to know.

[UglyGreed]

49. But they did throw him

under the bus so he "evolved"

[merrily]

53. When did the DLCers throw him under the bus?

[Roadhouse Mixer]

13. Rest assured, when he does endorse,

He will be endorsing Hillary.

[m-lekktor]

18. yep. anybody who would pick Joe Lieberman to run as his VP

should have no problem endorsing Hillary Clinton.

[Roadhouse Mixer]

21. That name still makes me angry.

Just like McCain and Palin. A relative nobody until chosen as a vp candidate, both were awful choices, both let the position go to their heads. Both went on to prove they were lunatics.

[rosesaylavee]

15. Not surprising.

He's a very smart political wonk - he gets what's happening here.

Oh, what could have been...

[winter is coming]

24. Did he endorse anyone in '08 before the nomination?

He may just want to stay the hell out of it.

[Warren DeMontague]

33. ooooo

you seem tense about this.

[winter is coming]

37. WTF?

Why should I be tense about it? I'm not a Hillary supporter.

If Gore endorsed someone before the nomination in '08, his decision not to endorse anyone now is far more significant than it would be if he'd also said, "It's too early," back in '08. That goes double if he endorsed HRC before Obama won the nomination.

[hedda_foil]

107. He waited until June and then endorsed Obama.

CAMPAIGN '08
Gore backs Obama; Clinton takes a hit
June 17, 2008|From the Washington Post
Email
Share

DETROIT — Former Vice President Al Gore stepped forward to endorse Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for president on Monday night -- an attention-grabbing event that came as no surprise but renewed the speculation about whether they might form a joint ticket.

Obama's first campaign appearance with Gore, at the Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit, came after Gore announced his support in a blog item on his website, AlGore.com. In the item, Gore said he would "do whatever I can to make sure he is elected president of the United States."

"The outcome of this election will affect the future of our planet," Gore said Monday night.

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/17/nation/na-campaign17

[deurbano]

108. He endorsed Obama after he secured the nomination... so yes, he prefers to stay out of it.

[tularetom]

34. The last time I cared about anything he said was just less than 15 years ago

When he threw in the towel on the Florida recount and helped usher in the most disastrous 8 years in American political history.

Although I should have seen it coming when he chose Joe Loserman as a running mate.

I don't think there is a lot of love lost between Al Gore and the Clintons, and I think the selection of Loserman, who thought of Bill Clinton as an immoral scumbag (the only thing I ever agreed with him on), as VP candidate.

However, whether I care or not, Gore's silence on endorsements speaks volumes.

[msongs]

36. yes he is not endorsing hillary...or bernie. speaks volumes indeed nt

[bvar22]

106. I did not give up until...

The Congressional Black Caucus from the House entered the Senate chambers to protest the certification of the vote.
ALL they needed was ONE, SINGLE Democratic Senator to side with them....
and not a single Democratic Senator stood for the Congressional Black Caucus.

Al Gore himself graveled them down and had them removed from the room.

That was IT for me and Al Gore.

[azurnoir]

35. Ouch

under the bus with thee

[Bread and Circus]

44. He looks a bit like Blake Shelton. He looks good in that pic.

[Spazito]

45. Former VP Gore did not endorse anyone in the 2008 primary either...

and only endorsed President Obama after Hillary Clinton suspended her campaign.

He is simply being consistent in remaining neutral during the Primaries, imo.

[YOHABLO]

50. I think it was a very appropriate statement and doesn't alienate anyone's political camp.

[riversedge]

57. I doubt is the Hillary camp is sweating this. Seems many on DU are

[DCBob]

65. Alternate headline: Al Gore declines to endorse Sanders.

Why is that?

[Robbins]

66. he is probally remaining neutrel till primary is over

which gives him some respect from me.afterall he endorsed howard dean in 2003.

[jalan48]

68. Didn't he have a similar kind of opinion on doing a recount in the 2000 election?

Just not sure, maybe. Maybe a partial one, whatever.

[Capt. Obvious]

69. Gore doesn't endorse

after getting burnt in 2004.

Obama was in constant contact with him and really wanted his endorsement early. Gore declined but left open the possibility to endorse to save the party if the primary went down a wretched path of no return.

You can read this as an indictment or as a continuation of his stance in 2008.

[oberliner]

72. Perhaps he is waiting for Joe Lieberman to enter the race

Being his former running mate and all.

[retrowire]

73. i have a feeling

that the inconvenient truth for Hillary supporters is that he'll endorse the man that said climate change is our greatest threat.

[SmittynMo]

76. Bingo n/t

[senz]

99. Yes. Very good point, retro.

Hillary's environmental consciousness is not evident to the naked eye.

[SmittynMo]

74. Gore is not stupid

He's gonna laugh his ass off at all these early endorsements of Hillary when he picks Bernie and WINS. He lines up much better with Bernie.

Actually, if you think about it, ANYONE in the political world that has already publicly supported Hillary, are fools. It's way to early to commit. 357 days to go

[SunSeeker]

77. No, he said it is too early to pick a candidate; he did not "DECLINE" to endorse Hillary.

The dude wanted his 24-hour Climate Change Telethon to be the news, not who he endorses.

[ozone_man]

78. Bernie said climate change was top priority

So I wonder if Al Gore was listening.

[WillyT]

79. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

Yeah... If ya wanna save the planet, Hillary is not your gal.

[Nonhlanhla]

82. Al Gore declines to endorse Bernie Sanders

or "Al Gore declines to endorse Martin O'Malley.: All possible headlines to the same non-endorsement of ANYONE.

Why are there 4 threads on this non-issue?

I love Al Gore - wanted him to run last time. But it's clear that he's lost the taste for politics.

[pa28]

83. Considering Gore's proximity to Hillary as Bill's VP he must know her very well.

I wonder if that has something to do with his reluctance to endorse her?

[LovingA2andMI]

84. A bit of payback....

Once Close to Clinton, Gore Keeps a Distance
By MELINDA HENNEBERGER and DON VAN NATTA Jr.
Published: October 20, 2000

After eight years together, here is the state of the relationship between President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore: Mr. Gore won't pick up the phone. He doesn't call, and Mr. Clinton doesn't know why.

Until the recent crisis in the Middle East, the two had spoken only a handful of times since the week of this summer's Democratic convention.

Mr. Clinton is both hurt by the personal rebuff and bewildered as to why his political heir won't come to him for the advice he is itching to give -- advice the president feels the candidate needs, according to two friends who have discussed this with Mr. Clinton recently.

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/20/us/once-close-to-clinton-gore-keeps-a-distance.html?pagewanted=all

Yep, probably....

[pnwmom]

90. He's declined to endorse ANYONE. Which is a good plan. n/t

[Major Hogwash]

91. Just don't make any trips in small planes now, Al.

Be careful, don't walk away and turn your back to her, and never, ever, under any circumstances, say anything bad about her.

.

.

.

OR ELSE!

[Ed Suspicious]

98. Here is the copycat. Kick & Rec

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251792478

[chillfactor]

102. nor did he endorse Bernie....

So?

[Walk away]

103. It's not as if he is endorsing Bernie!

BSers must be pretty desperate if Al Gore not endorsing anyone is super fantastic good news to them.

In fact....it is really kind of sad.

[Babel_17]

105. Basic reasoning, when it's not common, can be profound

Thank you, Vice President Gore. You make me proud to be part of the majority that voted for you.

[Buzz Clik]

109. Al Gore DECLINES to endorse Bernie Sanders.

[saidsimplesimon]

111. Speaking of Vice Presidents, Mrs. Clinton's floated choices

according to a post from one of her supporters include Elizabeth Warren, Julian and Joaquin Castro or Martin O'Malley.

imho, Senator Warren and either of the Castro brothers have great potential to be excellent future Presidential candidates in their own right. Why would they allow themselves to be shelved into a slot as VP?

After Senator Sanders wins at least 2 of the 5 first primaries, I think his choice for the slot will emerge.

Go get'm sweet peas, we need a win in NH and beyond for Senator Sanders.

[sabrina 1]

121. I got the impression from DU that Gore had endorsed Hillary. Just goes to show that we

see on DU always has to be checked out thoroughly.

[Go Vols]

128. +1

[jkbRN]

122. GOOD

There is ZERO reason to endorse a proven liar.

[question everything]

123. Sour grapes. Follows the footsteps of Ted Kennedy

Neither could be president while Bill Clinton was the first Democrat, since FDR, to serve two full terms. Kennedy had his revenge by persuading an unknown freshman Senator to run, and Gore... by withholding his endorsement from another Clinton and publicize it.

Sad and pathetic.

[Thinkingabout]

126. Somebody did not read the OP. If they would have they would have found Gore said it was too early

and not that Gore DECLINES to endorse Hillary Clinton for president. Let's be truthful here, it easy material to read.