Gore Just Badly Hurt His Efforts to Fight Global Warming

[DrFunkenstein]

With the release of 3 videos staking out distinctly partisan (i.e. progressive) stances on some contentious issues - Iraq, civil liberties and...health care!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3611362

These positions were laid out just days (hours, practically) after his Nobel Prize. It makes no sense that he would build up for so long to make global warming a non-partisan issue just to throw down some political bombshells.

These are not examples of private advice to the candidates. They are very, very public positions taken by someone who was supposedly striving to reach above politics to reach a consensus on a global issue.

Why would he politicize his role as a spokesman for action against global warming? Either he hasn't thought through his first public appearance since the award (when everyone is watching him closely), or he believes that he can do more good for the larger fight by putting himself in a true position to change the course of the 21st century.

For those who argue that he is merely building awareness and support for the issue, I would have to say that this has been something of a blunder.

Furthermore, the deadline for the Florida ballot is Halloween. How many more days of interest could he possibly sustain for the issue of global warming by delaying? If anything, I believe that he would only damage himself - and his role in fighting climate change - in the longterm if he were to simply play coy to the end.

Why would he gamble his reputation and the fight against climate change just to say a few things about Iraq, civil liberties and health care?

He could have said anything in the world - a call for civility and reason in the campaigns or some other meta-issue that would not involve an entry into some of the key topics of the campaign debates. But he didn't.

I mean, why on Earth would he just up and say a few words on health care...especially since all of the Dem candidates have put forward extensive plans. Its not like he is going to push them in any direction.

I can't help but boiling it down to two possibilities: either he is tipping his hand or making a rare blunder at a key moment.

My money is on the former. And I am more than willing to back that up with a check made out to his campaign. And some whole-hearted volunteering. And whatever else he asks of his fellow countrymen in his bid to become the next President of the United States.

[kimmerspixelated]

1. See the thread entitled:

GORE IS NOW RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT on the Home page!

[sandnsea]

2. He came out for single payer

Interesting. He also didn't mention the word mandate.

Kerry is out there talking about health care and the economy too, as well as Iraq.

I think they're trying to move the party rank and file, without having their message diluted by getting into the endorsement fray.

[John Q. Citizen]

16. Gore endorsed single payer back in 02, so that's not new. He was against the war,

And he's already talked about the dangerous loss of civil rights

[joshcryer]

32. Oops, didn't see your post when I replied. :)

But yeah. I just noticed that the OP was being sarcastic, I was wondering if I should take it seriously. ;)

[karynnj]

29. Their positions are very different though

Kerry is putting out his ideas to influence the 2008 cnadidates more than they were already influenced by his 2004 platform. He is also working on what will likely be his legislative program as a Senator.

Each of the candidates have taken elements of his 2004 Health care plan. I have also heard Hillary and Edwards both try to explain the interconnection of alternative energy research with global warming, health, cleaner air, cleaner water and new good jobs. (Hillary spoke of only global warming and jobs - like growing corn and installing solar panels. A very plecian version of Kerry's loftier vision.) On Iraq, it is strange to hear HRC, who was as bad as the Republicans to Kerry when Kerry/Feingold was voted on saying that "the Iraqis won't change unless they have a deadline. These and other echoes show that by espousing great ideas and articulating them well, Kerry can sell his ideas - even as he runs for Senate, not President.

I agree with you that Gore may well be tipping his hand. He may also be somewhat reluctant to commit to what he knows will be a painful fight. I hope he decides to, because I can't think of anyone else who can prevent a Hillary nomination.

[joshcryer]

31. He came out for Single Payer *years* ago. Back in 2002 I believe.

I mean really his position hasn't *changed* one iota on these issues in at least 5 years as far as I know. He just reiterated them.

[Labors of Hercules]

3. We be followin de white rabbit...

He know what he be doin.

[SlowDownFast]

4. K&R.

Run, Dammit, Run!!!

[ProfessorPlum]

5. My (delighted) thoughts exactly, Dr F.

Hee hee!

[flyarm]

7. add me too!!!...very delighted!! and anticipating writing the check!!..woo hooo!! eom

[ecstatic]

6. ego nt

[madrchsod]

8. no he did`t make a blunder and i really doubt he`s running

i think what he is doing is stating his opinion on what this party should stand for and what the future of this country should be. he`s not saying anything different than clinton or obama.

[superkia]

9. Sounds like Gore and Kucinich agree on those points to me.

[hootinholler]

22. Yeah I'd love that ticket...

Hard to get farther from Lieberman than Dennis.

-Hoot

[rucky]

10. How could he say such horrible things!? n/t

[high density]

11. interesting tone of post

I hope he runs.

[Pirate Smile]

12. I bet it caused a lot of additional traffic for Current.

[mmonk]

13. They aren't partisan issues. They are the issues of our time.

[Stinky The Clown]

14. When he declares, he count on me as a campaign worker and donor

[Bjorn Against]

15. I agree with everything except the subject line

I think he is running, I have thought that for months now and these new videos reinforce that. He did not do anything that is going to harm his efforts to stop global warming. Global warming was never Gore's only issue, and for him to put out statements on other issues is not unusual at all. What is unusual is the timing of these videos, he seems to be sending us a clue that he is preparing his platform and it is a platform which is significantly improved over his 2000 platform.

[FiveGoodMen]

17. "just to say a few things about Iraq, civil liberties and health care"

[Uncle Joe]

18. Astonishing isn't it? As if those issues don't mean anything.

[MasonJar]

19. That is a monumentally absurd conclusion! Why should he not try to

end the war and get reasonable health care for all Americans and eschew the policies which are depleting our civil liberties even as he promotes solutions to global warming? I for one applaud his efforts to rid the world of the lice in the WH and their self-serving ideas.

[ProfessorPlum]

20. I think you are missing the gentle sarcasm of the OP

Dr. F's conclusion is that Gore did NOT make a blunder, but rather was laying out positions deliberately, in the cause of perhaps a higher endeavor.

This has been a service for the irony impaired.

[Peregrine Took]

21. I, too, failed to pick up on the fine *sarcasm* of the post. What is the point?

Just annoying as hell, if you ask me.

[ProfessorPlum]

27. You may have had to read to the point where

"I can't help but boiling it down to two possibilities: either he is tipping his hand or making a rare blunder at a key moment.

My money is on the former. And I am more than willing to back that up with a check made out to his campaign. And some whole-hearted volunteering. And whatever else he asks of his fellow countrymen in his bid to become the next President of the United States."

that was. And the sarcasm was in the post title, not the post itself.

[DrFunkenstein]

28. Thanks For The Defense, ProfessorPlum!

Clearly (at least I thought) Gore is a truly inspiring figure. The kind that can give you tingles all over and fill you with a sense of civic duty and a higher calling.

Putting myself on something of a limb, I think he could be the Jack Kennedy of this generation. Fairly shocking considering what a boring old politician he was in 2000, but true nonetheless.

I don't think he is making a blunder by any means. Even if he were not going to run, I'd simply be guilty of overstating the case. But what I really, really think is that he is putting out a wink for his supporters to gear up for an announcement.

The timing truly seems to suggest that. I may be wrong, but oh boy if I'm right!

[ProfessorPlum]

30. I am truly looking forward to you and I backing the same candidate

in the primaries this time around!

[DrFunkenstein]

33. Now That Would Be Something!

I'm not sure what would happen to the universe, but I'd be happy if we just won the election (for starters).

[calteacherguy]

23. Al Gore is not and will not be the Democratic Messiah. nt

[AtomicKitten]

24. Al Gore will have a citizen army at his disposal of he runs.

[depakid]

25. He surely will

and it will be comprised of many of the very best and brightest- along with a lot of people who might otherwise not vote.

[populistdriven]

26. I would wear my shoes out for that man! nt

[jmp]

34. What if Gore runs as the Green Party candidate ...

Or as an independent?

I wonder if he could pull that off.

[DrFunkenstein]

35. That Would Mildly Ironic

But utterly unnecessary since he could win the Democratic nomination quite handily with just a few weeks of campaigning - undoing years and years of preparation for Ms. Clinton's coronation.

[jmp]

36. I agree that he could ...

But he might not agree ... or be willing to risk it.

[Apollo11]

39. Al Gore has ruled out running as an independent or third-party candidate.

Gore has consistently supported the Democratic ticket in every election.

Al Gore on Larry King Live, CNN, June 2006

KING: Will you support no matter who the Democrat is?

GORE: I'm certain.

KING: Will you support Hillary?

GORE: I'm certain I'd support the nominee.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/13/lkl.01.html

[JNelson6563]

37. He's been speaking on these things all along

I have tried to watch every major speech President Gore has made since 2000. He has been hammering on political issues all along. For too long he was the only major Dem to boldly call out Team Bush on so much of the crap they have pulled!

And yet he's achieved success on the global warming issue that no one dared to dream, all while bravely commenting on the political situation.

Julie

[Apollo11]

38. The clips on Current.com are no big deal.

Al Gore is not saying anything new in those clips. His statement on Iraq is what he told Larry Ling on CNN back in May.

Al Gore on CNN Larry King Live, May 2007

KING: Email question from Jose in Simi Valley, California. "If you were to become president, how would you tackle the inherited problem of Iraq, which somebody is going to inherit?"

And in that line, a follow-up question from Washington, D.C. What's your question?

CALLER: Hi. I wanted to ask Mr. Gore where he sees Iraq in five years from today.

KING: OK, let's loop them together. Somebody is going to inherit this problem. It ain't going away.

GORE: Well, it -- it's like taking the wheel of a car in the middle of the skid. You have really got to feel where the give is, how to steer out of the skid, how to avoid the crash. And we are headed for a really -- well, we are already in serious trouble -- headed for worse.

There are no easy options. They've created this situation where there really are no good choices. We have to choose the less -- the least worst choice and...

KING: So?

GORE: ... here are the two objectives that we have to pursue simultaneously. Number one, get our troops out of there and home as quickly as possible.

Secondly, do it in a way that honors our nation's moral obligation, which all of us have, regardless of whether we opposed or supported the invasion. We have a moral obligation not to make an already terrible situation even worse in the manner of our leaving.

But there is evidence that in some areas, indeed, the violence could get worse if we precipitously pulled out in the wrong way. But there's evidence in much of the country that the continued presence of the troops is a magnet for violence aimed at them. And the overall continued deterioration of Iraq and the -- what appears to be the real failures of the government in place there create a set of options that are really awful. So...

KING: So what's the less -- what's the -- all right. You're president. How do you get...

GORE: We need to get our troops home as quickly as possible.

KING: In other words, if you were president January 31st, 2009, your first act would be starting withdrawal? You'd start bringing home...

GORE: No, no. As I said before, I would grab hold of the situation and make an immediate assessment of what the best options were to manage this catastrophe.

KING: You don't know what they are. You don't know...

GORE: No, I mean, I know what -- I know generally the families -- we need to get them out of there, as I've said. But we need to make a very clear analysis of how we can get out of there without making it much worse than it is now.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0705/22/lkl.01.html

The only new part is that Al Gore is inviting us to post comments on his clips. But I don't think it means he is about to announce his candidacy. And time is running out ....


IN GORE WE TRUST :patriot:
www.algore.com
www.algore.org
www.draftgore.com
www.americaforgore.org

:kick:

[DemBones DemBones]

40. You mean "in his re-election bid." We did elect Gore

in 2000, the SCOTUS prevented him from serving.

December 12, 2000, a day that will live in infamy.

The Supremes really blew it by taking on that case. They should have told Dubya to go pound sand and let the legal re-count process play out in Florida.

I hope you're right that he's going to run. We know he can win.