I understand Gore's reluctance now having just watched An Inconvenient Truth

[NNguyenMD]

Its pretty apparent that Global Warming is on his mind 24/7 365 days a year. As president he would be tied down by a war an Iraq, antiterrorism policy, the demand for new legislation to provide universal healthcare, would take away from the precious time he has left on this earth to turn the tide on global warming.

When you watch the movie, you can literally feel the deep passion he has to stop global warming within our generation. His commitment is total. From his perspective, it would seem difficult to accomplish this when you are tied down by the many other issues/interests that plague the whitehouse.

I'm not saying that he should not run for president, I'm just saying that I understand his reasoning to opt out.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

1. Even more impetus to lead...

As the President, wouldn't the amount of his influence be heightened? Our country -- the one that consumes the most, pollutes the most, wastes the most resources -- could potentially lead a world not by the reins, but by an enlightened strategy to reduce our harmful impact on mother Earth. I know -- far-fetched. But, you have to admit, the presidency and world is in dire need Gore's assistance.

[NNguyenMD]

3. I think from his perspective, thats not necessarily true...the presidency would

give him more influence yes, but how much more than say releasing a Hollywood movie and making a few rounds on the talk show circuit.

As Bill Clinton once said, as president you are handicapped by the current events of the times.

Gore is already influential and can already command a wide audience of dignitaries and world leaders. Maybe in his mind, he might feel that he can accomplish more devoting 8 years educating the world on global warming all hours of the day than in that same time as president.

Sure as president he can sign legislation, he can push his legislative agenda, but perhaps from his vantage point he is able to drive his message far more inspirationally and powerfully outside the presidency.

Who knows? If he announces I'll vote for him, regardless everyone needs to go to www.climatecrises.net" to contribute their part to stopping global warming.

[Prophet 451]

8. But

Yes, the Presidency would give Gore more influence to do the things that need to be done but it would also give him less time and energy to focus on global warming. He might come into office intending to devote his whole time to enviromental issues but he still has to contend with Congress, political opposition and the random crises that any president has to deal with.

[ktlyon]

2. The bigger question to me is the Hillary one.

Hillary has the big mo and all the money. It will be hard to stay on top but she just might do it. If she makes no mistakes.

[Bluestater2008]

4. Hillary's the one

Obama is just setting up a massive voter registration drive. There's no way that all the Billy Bobs will elect Obama and the brains at our DNC know that.

Getting to be president takes an organization, not just a name and a pretty face. Hillary's already got an impressive organization in place, along with foreign contacts, UN contacts and loads of appointees that dummy W kept. He just doesn't understand things. Also, she can be in two places at once with Bill campaigning. Already Terry McAuliffe is hitting the radio stations...and that guy is GOOD!

Rest easy. There's no way that Hillary won't get the nomination and no way that a Mormon will beat her.

[Demit]

5. I doubt the Billy Bobs like Hillary all that much either.

And this non-Billy Bob isn't crazy about the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton sequence. I don't know why it's being foisted on us. I don't like it.

[marmar]

16. "Billy Bobs like Hillary all that much either."

Exactly. Billy Bobs who won't vote for Obama ain't voting for Hillary Clinton either.

[crispini]

10. Welcome to DU. Here's a hint:

Most DU'ers are not terribly fond of Hillary or Terry Mac. Come to think of it, neither am I. :rofl:

[CarbonDate]

13. "Billy Bob" hates Hillary....

...and Obama has a way of reaching out to "Billy Bob" that Hillary lacks. And if your elitist attitude is reflective of the rest of the Hillary camp, I'm confident that Hillary will be relegated to the dust bin of history while Obama cruises to the nomination.

Seriously, am I the only blue collar activist who's offended by the "Billy Bob" snark?

[Demit]

20. Uh, then why did you use it twice yourself? You seem to know who is meant

—by asserting that Billy Bobs hate Hillary but can be reached by Obama. You're the one who automatically equated the term with blue collar workers. Shouldn't you have made certain first what the poster's meaning was before taking offense?

[crispini]

21. *cough*check who's replying to who *cough*

that's the first and only time CarbonDate's posted in this thread.

[Demit]

22. Huh? And he used the Billy Bob construction twice in that post.

He didn't like Poster #4's term yet he used it himself. What are you coughing about?

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Gore will smoke Hillary

Welcome to DU and please be advised there are very few Hillary fans here. :hi:

[Clark2008]

23. You think Terry MaAuliffe's good?

He lost Congress and two presidency bids as DNC chair.

How does that equate with "good."

Oh - and Hillary's not "the one" if the base has any say, what-so-ever. The base doesn't much care for her.

But, welcome to DU. :hi:

[The2ndWheel]

6. Who is he, freakin' Jesus?

"would take away from the precious time he has left on this earth to turn the tide on global warming."

It's sad that we're all so goddamn helpless.

[NNguyenMD]

7. its a good movie

[The2ndWheel]

11. Not saying it isn't

But we all seem to be waiting for some savior to lead us to the promised land. Nobody needs to wait for Gore to save the world.

[NNguyenMD]

12. I think he's already doing it each day he gives his powerpoint

and sets the record straight on global warming with every audience he gives it to.

He wouldn't be able to do it as much in the whitehouse.

And yeah, the earlier comment I made was over the top. I guess I got too caught up into the movie =).

[Telly Savalas]

14. In what capacity will he have more influence?

Giving a powerpoint presentation to a couple thousand folks?

or

Signing legislation which reduces carbon emissions for an entire nation of 300 million?

[VenusRising]

9. I think the fact that he knows what the problem is

and how to address it makes him a far more viable candidate. If he is smart enough to reduce his own carbon output to 0, I think he could put together the right policy and implement it quickly. I also think he happens to be qualified to deal with all the other issues as well. I think Gore's the total package in a candidate.

[KoKo]

15. He's already started the ball rolling on Global Warming and if he wins

an Oscar and then does his book tour...what's left for him to do. To implement change he needs a bigger forum and POWER... He can only get that by being President and appointing people with like minds into Cabinet positions where they can make the changes needed.

That's why he would want to be President. But, he won't run if he has to get into the "Dog & Pony Show." He will watch and bide his time to see if there's a WILL for him to come in. :shrug:

[helderheid]

18. Yes but as president he could appoint people who also have global warming on their minds 24/7 such

as Robert Kennedy Jr and Mayor Rocky Anderson

[Nikia]

19. I understand that too.

We also have to remember that U.S. presidents are not dictators. For instance, I believe that Clinton wanted to have universal health care and do more for the environment but could not because of Congress and pressure from other political and business leaders. Mr. Gore has seen dirty politcs first hand and would rather deal outside that realm.
I believe that he is respected by all of our candidates and would be consulted in forming environmental policy if one of our candidates would be elected. He is also influencing both the public and the business community in his work for the environment. He is doing what he believes in and what he really wants to do.