Reply #2: In today's Boston Globe

[kerrylus]

Draft Gore
Massachusetts
www.mass4gore.com

For Immediate Release
Contact: Fred Koed
617-710-7512


Statewide draft campaign for Gore begins Sept. 18

A new statewide grassroots political organization will launch a petition drive September 18 seeking to make Massachusetts the first state to place former Vice President Al Gore on a Democratic presidential primary ballot.
The new group, Draft Gore Massachusetts, announced today that nominating petitions would be carried into communities throughout the state by volunteers that include teachers, health care workers, homemakers, political activists and retirees. In making the announcement, Fred Koed of Cohasset, a member of the Massachusetts State Democratic Committee, and the chair of Draft Gore Massachusetts, said:
“This is that rarity in American politics—a genuine draft movement organized by citizens who believe firmly that America needs a specific candidate to lead the country. Gore received more than 50 million votes when he ran for President in 2000 and most of those voters still believe that he won.”
Koed points out that Draft Gore Massachusetts and its parent group, Mass For Gore, now join similar draft Gore initiatives already operating in states that include California, New Hampshire and Michigan.
A total of 2,500 signatures meeting all legal requirements plus

Gore’s approval are needed by December 21 to include Gore on the ballot for the Massachusetts Democratic Presidential Primary. In a recent Time Magazine interview, Gore says that “I haven’t ruled it out , but I don’t think it’s likely to happen.” Lynn Rogers of Worcester, Draft Gore Massachusetts central regional and volunteer coordinator, says draft efforts throughout the nation are designed to “demonstrate such substantial support for Gore that he would be drawn irresistibly into the race and approve participation in the Massachusetts primary.”
By saying he hasn’t “ruled it out,” Rogers adds, “Gore has given the draft effort substantial hope that he might still become a candidate. That kind of hope is the fundamental building block of a draft movement.”
The Massachusetts Democratic primary will be held March 4, 2008. Rogers notes that many more signatures than the 2,500 minimum required will be sought to underscore the depth of the support for Gore in the state.
Has a draft ever worked on the presidential level?
In l952, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Republican, was enormously popular and mentioned frequently as a possible GOP presidential candidate. But he declined until a draft campaign in New Hampshire led to his stunning victory in the state Republican Presidential Primary. Eisenhower, the hero of World War II, immediately entered the presidential race and achieved an overwhelming Electoral College victory of 442 to 89 in the November election.
To volunteer to work on nominating petitions and other Draft Gore Massachusetts initiatives, please call 508-713-2720 or email: [email protected]. Additional information can be obtained from www.Mass4Gore.com.


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