Gore hits Chicago to chants of 'Run, Al, Run'

[RamboLiberal]

In an event that felt more like a campaign appearance than a book signing, Al Gore's visit to Chicago this afternoon brought the usual speculation about another presidential bid.

"Run, Al, run," some chanted on the third floor of the Borders on State Street, where some of his biggest fans started arriving before sunrise for an event that started shortly before 1 p.m.

The former vice president, of course, is asked the same question almost everywhere he goes: are you running?

"I'm not planning to be a candidate again," Gore said, after a six-minute campaign-style speech that touched on everything from his trademark issue of global warming to the Iraq war.

http://blogs.trb.com/news/politics/blog/2007/06/gore_hits_chicago_to_chants_of.html



I'm one of those who wishes he would, but then I've been a Gore fan since Clinton picked him as his running mate. I actually liked Gore more than Clinton, even before Monica. I always thought Al was one very smart man.

[DavidDvorkin]

1. Al Gore vs. Alan Keyes!

My dream election.

[Christa]

2. Al Gore is my dream candidate

dream candidate

[durrrty libby]

3. I hope he heeds the call. but honestly, I've given up on it

[AtomicKitten]

4. this gives me chills

America has a fever and Al Gore is the cure. He unites the party like never before.

[pacalo]

5. We definitely need more "Al" bell.

[AtomicKitten]

6. more cowbell for Al

[Uncle Joe]

7. Now you're rockin, Atomic Kitten!

:yourock:

And thanks to RamboLiberal for the thread.

Kicked and recommended

[AtomicKitten]

11. back at ya

[Mabus]

8. and not just the party

he's reached out to people from all over the spectrum. From evangelicals to scientists people are listening.

[AtomicKitten]

9. he's the one

[MelissaB]

13. Thanks for the new background!

I love this man!

[flpoljunkie]

10. Always preferred Al Gore to Bill Clinton, as well.

[Kurovski]

12. Go Gore!

So when does RestoreGore join this party here? :party:

[Maat]

14. Run, Al, run!

I loved the movie, I know I'll love the book, and I can't wait until you win the Peace Prize!

And, thanks to those in Chicago who spoke up!

[DesertRat]

15. Great photo of Al too! k&r

[usregimechange]

16. I 30 millionth that

[cascadiance]

17. I'll give my K&R & R (Run) too!

[AikidoSoul]

18. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzeee save us Al!!!!! n/t

[rucky]

19. I'm just happy to be hearing so much from him! n/t

[mopinko]

20. you're the only one, sir. you have to run.

i got a cheery hello as my book was passed to him, and i said the above, as i had been practicing to myself for a chunk of the 2 hours i stood in line. the smile faded instantly. i know he does not want to. but he is the only one.
he had not planned to speak, but he could not pass up a chance to get his message out. i hope that running works the same way. i don't see how he could NOT be appalled by the dem debate the other night. so much is in the balance. i do think that he will run. because he cares too much to see this all go on. you are the only one, sir. you have to run.

[calimary]

24. If I were there, I'd be saying the same thing to him.

He IS the one. You're the only one, sir. A real life Obi-wan Kenobi. Imagine how healing it would be for much of our nation (aside from the lost souls) and DEFINITELY for the rest of the world.

[rosesaylavee]

21. Was up there too -

Interesting that they didn't report how many people were standing in line throughout the building. My guess is - approx 1000.

It was great to see him and thank him first hand for all that he has done for us and the rest of the world. Truly a great human being.

[mopinko]

27. they told me they gave out 1000 wristbands

they did let a few more people wait to see if he had time for a few more. it was also quite gratifying to see folks out on the street, passing petitions begging him to run, and distributing gore '08 buttons.
has there ever been a candidate drafted like this?

[otisjf24]

22. Idea for Al's VP

Here is a thought that my fiancee and I were kicking around. Al Gore's Vice President:
Lincoln D. Chafee, former Senator of Rhode Island (R).
Yes, I am serious.
The implications of such a move could be far reaching, indeed.
I am interested in the discussion that this would generate.
-Otis

[BikeWriter]

23. Hmm...

[otisjf24]

29. That's it? I'm a little disappointed.

*sigh* I usually love a good discussion. Well, maybe if Al actually throws his hat in the ring, this idea can be revisited.
I like the fact that you are actually considering it, though, Bike.
-Otis

[Apollo11]

25. GORE - OBAMA 2008

Al Gore is the best person for the job, in terms of his experience, knowledge, intelligence and judgement.

I am dreaming of a Gore-Obama ticket in 2008. But there is no hurry for Gore to enter the race.

I think Al Gore is keeping his options open right now, watching how the "pre-season" goes. I don't think he yet knows what he will do. My guess is that the chance of him entering the race is somewhere around 40% and rising.

Gore's current line - "I have no plans to be a candidate" - tells us that right now (today) he has no plans to run. But it doesn't prevent him from changing his plans and making new plans during the coming months.

Gore has been doing a great job raising public awareness about the climate crisis, with An Inconvenient Truth winning the Oscar for best documentary, and lots of media attention around the Congressional Hearing on March 21st. Plus yesterday (June 6th) he was awarded the highest honor in the Kingdom of Spain - the Prince of Asturias Award 2007.

Gore is getting lots of attention right now around his new book The Assault on Reason. The theme of this book - why we need better decision-making in government - is highly relevant to the 2008 election (whether Al runs or not). The book is Number 1 on the NY Times list! Gore has been on every show you can think of (Daily Show, Larry King Live, Letterman, etc.) getting his message across and keeping himself in the public eye.

Gore is also leading Live Earth with concerts across the globe on 7/7/07 -- all with the aim of raising awareness and pushing for action to address the climate crisis.

Depending on how things pan out, and the reaction to his book, Gore can consider his situation over the summer and announce his decision (or if you prefer - "change his mind") sometime in the fall.

It all depends on the circumstances. In September, if the race for the Dem nomination is still wide open and Hillary's campaign is in trouble, it might create the conditions for Gore to enter the race.

Right now everything seems to be lining up just right. Recent polls show Hillary's support stuck at around 30% or 35% of registered Democrats. Obama is catching up and Gore's numbers are climbing! So the race is still wide open.

Don't forget that Bill Clinton did not kick-off his campaign until October 1991. But Al Gore already has nationwide respect and name recognition that other wannabees can only wish for!

I say that Gore can wait until Sunday November 4th. Exactly one year out from the election, and 10 weeks before Iowa caucuses. Maybe on one of the Sunday TV talk-shows?

Unless and until Gore endorses another candidate, we have to assume that he is keeping his options open. So it is too soon for those of us who prefer Gore to switch our allegiance.

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF AL GORE
By Eric Pooley
TIME Magazine -- May 17, 2007
Let's say you were dreaming up the perfect stealth candidate for 2008, a Democrat who could step into the presidential race when the party confronts its inevitable doubts about the front runners. You would want a candidate with the grass-roots appeal of Barack Obama -- someone with a message that transcends politics, someone who spoke out loud and clear and early against the war in Iraq. But you would also want a candidate with the operational toughness of Hillary Clinton -- someone with experience and credibility on the world stage.
In other words, you would want someone like Al Gore -- the improbably charismatic, Academy Award-winning, Nobel Prize-nominated environmental prophet with an army of followers and huge reserves of political and cultural capital at his command.
...
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1622597,00.html

Let's all find ways to show our support for Al Gore! :patriot:

Visit Al's site www.algore.com and read his blog http://blog.algore.com

Get ready for Live Earth on 7/7/07: www.liveearth.org

Sign the petitions at www.algore.org and www.draftgore.com

:kick:

[troubleinwinter]

26. "I actually liked Gore more than Clinton" I've always been with you there.

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

28. Timing Is Everything...

My hope is that he's just waiting for the right moment. Fundraising will NOT be an issue for someone of his stature. Gore is hands down the most qualified person in our party to run, and he has the appeal to reach out beyond the base, and into the moderate and centrist reaches of the public, and likely across the aisle. Add me to the list of those who put him above Clinton. I truly believe that had the 2000 election gone the way of the people, we wouldn't be in the debacle we're in right now; it's going to take a very strong leader with a solid principle to restore dignity to the presidency, and our place on the world stage. Gore is an intelligent, aware, charismatic, and diplomatic man, and a class act all the way. And most importantly, he's opened the eyes of a lot of people who he may not have reached otherwise. If he enters the race (and I really, really hope he chooses to do that), he will be the one who can truly unite the party and the nation.