Al Gore is going to run

[malaise]

Are you listening to Washington Journal.

[orpupilofnature57]

1. My heart rate goes up every time that gets mentioned , Go Al !!!

[Wiregrass Willie]

2. No way

If he does run, I won't support him.   Why ?  Because he would
have won in 2004 if he had run  against Dubya.   He did not
run and that gave us 4 more years of lies and deceit from this
Neo-Con administration.   He made that choice. 

Had he run last time he would have chosen two Supreme Court
justices.  He didn't and we are stuck with Bush's choices.   

Why didn't he run last time ? 

[orpupilofnature57]

4. Who cares? Maybe he had a bug up his ass ,with good cause.

When enemies shit on me I expect it ,when friends do I get pissed.

[Flubadubya]

I think he knew better than to run last time...

This is a highly intelligent man we're talking about here, one who has political savvy and will always do what is right and best for this country... when the time is right! :hippie:

[madokie]

8. Amazing

your rationale

[Kahuna]

9. You can thank Barney Frank and Byron Dorgan in part for Gore

not running in 2004. They both made public statements that Gore should not run and that he should give someone (read: Kerry) a chance. What fools and assholes Democrats can be.

[The Count]

24. They were merely DNC's mouthpieces. But yeah, that's what happened. Gore said

as much in his speech when he stepped down "some people think this shouldn't be about the past"

[Kahuna]

46. Good memory, Count. I bow down to your superiority...

:yourock:

[The Count]

94. I cried that night - can't get those words out of my brain - until maybe this is all

behind us, and Gore is inaugurated.

[BuelahWitch]

63. Sorry, I didn't see your reply before I made mine

:hi: I hope he runs too!

[Samantha]

129. Or just replace the names of Barney Frank and Byron Dorgan

with the entity on whose behalf they spoke: the DLC. The DLC (read that as the Clinton-controlled propaganda machine) obviously could not afford a Gore run. If Gore ran, he would win. Where would that have left Hillary in 2008? -- running against an incumbent Gore? Simply put, it would have left Hillary in the political cold.

Of course, Barney Frank did want Kerry's seat, but he was used by the DLC to promote a non-Gore theme.

I believe (and I mean this truly, I have posted this many times on DU) that the Clintons made a deal with the Devil. In 1992, Bush the Father had representatives approach Bill Clinton and ask him not to run. Clinton was perceived as the only candidate who might deprive the first Bush of a second term. If he had acquiesced, he would have a clear run in 1996; no Republican would stand in his way. But Clinton refused, thinking he, with Gore on the ticket, could take it. And that was the reason for the political hell Clinton endured while in office -- it was payback from the Republicans.

Now that the second Clinton is up to bat, and having endured the eight years of political payback hell, I believe the Clintons chose to "get out of the way" for Bush the son to have his second term in exchange for a clear run for Hillary in 2008. The DLC was the instrument that orchestrated the deal. Part of that deal was for Hillary to knock Gore out of the competition, and thus the public eating of their own commenced by the Dems in pre-2004. Gore was not only the victim of this deal with the Devil, but all of us in this Country who have suffered through the Bush* debacle have paid as well.

It would also explain Carville's betrayal in Ohio in 2004, when he called his wife Mary Matalin and said Kerry would challenge certain votes. The next thing we discover is that the Secretary of the State of Ohio comes out with a public statement to the effect that should Kerry challenge all of those specific quotes in question and they all changed to the Kerry side of the ledger, he could not win enough votes in the recount to take the state. Carville was in the bag for the long haul, bigger picture. Thus, he could not allow what was surely his political stakes to slip though the recount cracks. He placed the call to Mary and relayed the Kerry strategy.

This theory also explains the incredible Bill Clinton-George H.W. Bush* friendship. We see it but we cannot believe it. Perhaps the basis for this friendship is that both have learned to more successfully deal for what in in their common interests, having learned from the botched 1992 deal backfire.

And now 2008 approaches, and it's time for the Republicans to "play ball" and live up to their end of the bargain. I truly believe this is why we have seen the unbelievable sanctions given by Hillary to Bush* policies. She intends to continue them.

It's going to be interesting to see what happens. I think if Gore jumps in, Hillary is toast. And should he wade into the political waters and get the nomination, I am hoping he chooses Obama for a running mate. It would be an unbeatable team. And the Oval Office could belong to the Democrats for the next 16 years.

[peacetalksforall]

20. Should your question be phrased - Why didn't he drop what he was

doing to run? And we know what he was doing, i.e., working on.

Maybe it all worked out the way it was supposed to.

He's my candidate, either way.

[The Count]

33. Actually he was fixing to announce, but party hacks stopped him cold.

The summer before he had publicly dissed the DLC - I'm thinking this was somehow related. (see on the GOP side - McCain dissed C-Pac - they allow MSM to tell the truth about him as a result)

[Kahuna]

48. Yep! Right again Count. And let's call those hacks by name once again...

BARNEY FRANK and BYRON DORGAN! I spew in their general direction. :puke: I will never forgive them for this. They knew Kerry a lot better than I did, and should have known as I did that Kerry had way too much "flip flop" baggage for the gopigs to attack him on.

[peacetalksforall]

70. Five questions? Does anyone have a list of the Reps and Sen's

who are full 'pledged' DLC members?

How do Dems handle the balance between splitting up and still telling the DLC that they can't dictate to us? Why should all the nominees go through the labor, time, and money to run against DLC people if we can't talk about this.

Is there any reason other than lobbyist money that would cause Dems to run for and be supported by the DLC structure?

Do only DLC people get invited to 'speak' on corporate tv networks or is it just my imagination?

Did Ralph Nader ever specifically name the DLC when he claimed that there is no difference between Dems and Pubs?

Comments:
I didn't know Gore dissed the DLC. Now I like him more than ever. I, a mere observer, saw and detested the 'managing' of Gore in 2000.

It was almost like they told him what to do, then turned around and told the Republicans what to attack him for. And, they NEVER EVER defended and put their foot down about the liar attacks. They actually allowed the liar attacks for the ENTIRE time. Talk about delivering for Republicans.

[cascadiance]

77. I actually like Gore MORE now with his earlier experience with the DLC behind him...

I think in some ways, it is actually BETTER that he had to deal with defeat and all of things that went wrong in 2000 to know how pathetic the DLC is, which seems to be reflected by his recent comments. Someone who's been an outsider from the DLC might not be tainted by them, but might not have the built in resistance to them like I think Gore has now, who knows how they operate. It's kind of like why I think David Brock has an added element of experience we should respect too. Since he's been through being a part of the right wing spin machine, he knows why it's wrong and has since completely divorced himself from it.

It probably still is healthy to continue to question the true motives of whoever we ultimately decide to support. I always want to make sure I don't get blindsided by something I've chosen to ignore earlier signs of later. But I think just because Gore worked with the DLC earlier doesn't necessarily make him bad now.

As an added concern. I still remember his comments supporting the clipper chip technology in the old days too, that bugged me. Something to the effect of "If you heard what really is going on behind the scenes, you'd also see why this chip is necessary too". But I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt too then, without us knowing the complete picture of the secret info they had to deal with then too.

[peacetalksforall]

82. Well, there is nothing like the manipulations of the DLC and

the quiet of post-theft and court fight period for reflection. Yes, I like him more. What we see is not what we get, we get more. There is depth to him and his values.

[cascadiance]

84. What I see with him now is a passion to fix global warming!

And that for me speaks more about his character than anything else. A DLC drone wouldn't be taking the risks he has with those that contend with his views on and efforts to combat global warming. That shows me a man of principle, and we need someone with principles of what is right and wrong, and not someone that is just swayed by DLC dollars to decide what their agenda will be when they become president in 2009.

[The Count]

93. As long as we agree that the "defeat" was theft. But yeag, DLC said Gore "lost"

because he was "too populist"

[The Count]

92. Ralph never had a beef with DLC - how could he - when he was paid by the RNC too?

In fact, I remember at the time (2001) he was praising DLC-ers (in 2001) Edwards and Bayh which would directly contradict your theory.

[peacetalksforall]

99. Nothing I learn after the fact makes me accept Nader. From hero

to spoiler. And values? I just erased what I was going to write because I don't want to side track too much. I'll save it in case he tries things again. Five Party's - yes. Two and a spoiler - no.

Thanks for replying. Thanks for educating me.

[peacetalksforall]

71. OK, I have another question - is the DLC supporting certain

so-called Dem radio personalities - like Ed Schultz? And, is Mark Green a DLC member?

[The Count]

91. I very much doubt Green is DLC - he is an outspoked liberal democrat - check out

his books. No DLC-ing there. But I am puzzled by AAR's choices of anchors as well as of late...

[The Count]

90. Don't forget Terry MacAuliffe who was pushing Kerry before the primaries started

Again, I am positive that DLC being snubbed by Gore had a lot to do with it - so probably a lot of names there would have to be added - if I knew them.

[peacetalksforall]

101. Ok, another question - Kennedy endorsed Kerry. Because of

MA connection? Because both were sitting Senators? Because Kennedy is DLC? (Tell me it isn't so.)

[blm]

125. McAuliffe and that whole group HATED Kerry - so did Al From. You heard bad info

that was likely CONCOCTED by the same people who undermined both Gore and Kerry.

[blm]

112. Kerry had no flipflop baggage - that is a RW talking point. Frank's sister works for Hillary

and has for a long time.

The same people undermined both Gore and Kerry yet somehow Kerry is getting the blame?

Can't people read what historian Douglas Brinkley was saying?


You think it was just a fluke that the Clintons stayed as close as possible to both Bushes throughout that first term? A coincidence that her book came out in 2003 and his in June 2004 when Dems and the public should have been getting to KNOW Kerry?

[The Count]

23. "because it was Kerry's turn" - DNC squeezed him out. I was angry too

and I am laughing now at the conspiracy theories about McAuliffe vs Kerry - because I got an idea what happened behind the stage in December 2002 (was it?).
Now, the truth is that Kerry/Edwards also won in 2004, but Gore would have fought for it, more concerned with our rights than not mussing his own hair.
So, while I partly agree with what you saw as far as consequences and implications, realistically, a candidate cannot run against his own party.

[blm]

67. Historian Douglas Brinkley disagrees with you - he said this EARLY in 2004:

April 5 2004 at Depauw:

Whom does the biographer think his subject will pick as a running mate? Not Hillary Rodham Clinton. "There's really two different Democratic parties right now: there's the Clintons and Terry McAuliffe and the DNC and then there's the Kerry upstarts. John Kerry had one of the great advantages in life by being considered to get the nomination in December. He watched every Democrat in the country flee from him, and the Clintons really stick the knife in his back a bunch of times, so he's able to really see who was loyal to him and who wasn't. That's a very useful thing in life."
>>>>>

And there is nothing contradictory in the idea that certain Dems influential to McAuliffe used the "Kerry's turn' in 2002 on Gore with the intention of undermining Kerry's effort in 2003.

[The Count]

89. Sorry, Douglas, but Gore practically said it himself when bowing out "some people

said that this should not be about the past but the future" - curiously reminiscent of the tea cups comment. And then MacAuliffe started defending Kerry on the "Bush went AWOL" attacks on...Clark, and talk of a Kerry -Bush debate on it before any primary vote was cast. But I'm sure Douglas knows better than those involved themselves - with him being a historian and all...
See, me being just a simple schmo, I make a connection between Gore's fantastic SNL appearance where he excoriated Kerry's arrogance when he tried to become the VP (though, definitely a wiser choice than Joementum, for sure!) and his precipitated withdrawal from the race.
Also, I remember the gossip incident about the DLC meeting the summer of that year which Gore didn't attend. When asked, he said "I was otherwise engaged" and then it came out he was having lunch with friends across the street (or close by, anyway).
Did Douglas consider those events?

[blm]

110. If you surmise McAuliffe was doing anything FOR Kerry you'd be sadly mistaken.

There was a reason Kerry had to mortgage his home to finance his campaign the last few months of the primary - the DLC and DNC money people were NOT directing that money to him at a crucial point.

I would put my money on Brinkley's behind the scenes contacts at that point over anyone here at DUs.

Besides - it is still not contradictory that some influential power Dems worked against Gore THEN Kerry.

And Gore also took a shot at himself on SNL - the Gore in the hot tub picked Lieberman because he stroked his ego the most - lest you've forgotten - it was a JOKE.

[cascadiance]

100. Kerry was affiliated with the DLC but had perhaps the best voting record of all of them!

And perhaps that's why the DLC thought he'd work out best for them, to get the rest of the party base to support him. Kerry was probably the exception of many of the DLC candidates of being a "pay to play" candidate since of them all he was probably the wealthiest independently with Theresa Heinz's fortune to help him out, and therefore he could afford to be a little more independent in his thinking and voting than other DLC members did without feeling like he was going to get screwed without their backing if he went against them too many times.

Still hard to see through all of the trees on that one, but I think there was some sort of tugging match involved with the DLC, the Clintons, and the Kerry's. I think that the DLC knew that Dean was someone they definitely did NOT want on the ticket, and Kerry seemed to be their compromise to keep him off.

[The Backlash Cometh]

26. Maybe he didn't run because he knew the election was fixed, and

the time wasn't right to expose the Republican's evil trickery?

[Kahuna]

49. That too.

:thumbsup:

[WinkyDink]

27. Real good logic, for not supporting him if he runs now. NOT.

[tblue37]

38. If he had run in 2004, he would have suffered the same fate as Kerry,

who actually won, but had the presidency stolen out from under him just as Gore did in 2000.

But now the people are starting to wake up to the vote-theft committed through black-box voting machines and media complicity. Now there is a chance that stealing the election won't be as easy. The Republicans did steal a lot of votes in 2006, so we don't have as large a majority as we should, but the tsunami of throw-the-bums-out passion was so great that the Republicans' prearranged vote-theft margins (also known as "THE math") were not great enough to prevent the Dems from taking both houses.

Also, Gore now has an Oscar and a Nobel nomination under his belt, so that he has been getting media attention for something that many Americans are just now starting to fully focus on: global warming. The media will still savage him as they did in 2000, but they are going to savage anyone who runs, and 2 terms of BushCo might inure a lot of people (maybe even all but the brainless 30%) to the media's lies about Gore. Also, we now have the blogosphere to act as War Room to counter such BS, whereas when Gore ran the first time, media lies were not immediately countered.

Furthermore, Gore will never sit quietly and take it again. He won last time, but by a narrow margin, because he played it safe. I can't see him ever playing mild-mannered again. If he runs, he is going to kick ass big time.

[blm]

66. The vote count and the media were rigged to destroy ANY Dem running in 2004.

Thanks to Terry McAuliffe's stewardship of the DNC that completely ignored the security of the election process for the four years he was charged with that duty - especially after 2000 election theft.

[RestoreGore]

72. And that's changed now how? n/t

[blm]

78. Dean at DNC working with Secs of State is making a difference.

2006 would've been stolen, too, if Dean hadn't already started to beef up long neglected party infrastructure in some states.

[RestoreGore]

80. And what assurances do we have for 2008? n/t

[tblue37]

106. We don't,--and we didn't in 2006.

But the revulsion Americans felt against the Republicans made it impossible to steal enough seats to hold on to either house of congress. They stole plenty of votes and suppressed plenty more. The margin of Dem victory was undoubtedly much greater than what the vote tallies showed, and there were undoubtedly seats given to Republicans that were actually won by Dems (see district 13 in Florida, for example), but they didn't (or couldn't) steal or suppress enough to prevent Dems from taking both houses and the investigative and subpoena power that goes with majority status.

These investigatiosn and other factors have drawn attention and made it harder for them to manage the theft and suppression of votes. They will still do it--especially with the 8 new US Attorneys in those swing states. But, for example, the Ohio SoS is a Dem good guy, and is cleaning house by unseating the corrupt election board. And more people are paying attention, so it won't be quite as easy to steal or suppress votes--and that will be at a time when they will need to steal or suppress even MORE votes than in the past to counter the tsunami of revulsion against the Republicans.

[frankenforpres]

121. here's the assurance

if we win, it wasnt fixed


if we lose, it was fixed



duh

[The Count]

95. Well, Gore was feistier than Kerry, they might have considered that one post election day

As for "he won by a narrow margin" - how would you know that? From THEIR numbers? 6,000,000 votes nationwide were not counted. Massive fraud in Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina - that we know off. How the F* do you know the size of "the margin"?

[blm]

113. SAME legal election team that told Gore he had a legal case to make told Kerry there was no

case to take to court.

[kiteinthewind]

40. So punish our country? So he gets the nomination and you will vote R? Is that what you are saying?

:eyes:

[proud2BlibKansan]

41. His choice Willie

Welcome to DU. Hope you can stick around. LOL

:hi:

[blonndee]

61. It's still 2004? Who knew...

[The Count]

97. 2004 is actually relevant (as is 2000). I'd never vote for the 2004 candidates

because of their silence about the theft and failure to fight (plus a few more capital reasons).

[BuelahWitch]

62. From what I understand, the big cheeses of the Dem party

at the time went to him and discouraged him from running. Then he made his announcement in late 2002 that he would not seek the presidency in 2004.

[LibertyorDeath]

64. Your reasoning such as it is not to support the best

candidate to come along in your lifetime

is complete shit IMO.

Welcome to DU....

[K8-EEE]

68. I don't want him to run!

I want him to be active as a cabinet member -- for President Edwards!!

Edwards is the one who didn't wan to concede in 2004 -- he's the one that deserves a second chance!

[The Count]

98. "Didn't want to concede" - care to back up this convenient piece of gossip?

because, I haven't heard much from Edwards about his promise that"THIS TIME, all votes will be counted", how my vote got stolen, how * wasn't elected. Edwards didn't stick his neck out - the way Gore did in 2000 - not concession day - not ever since. I'd keep quiet on voting rights and your boy - unless he's issued an all cleansing "oops" on this one as well.
This convenient piece of gossip is also an ugly back stab at Kerry that reveals character. Does anyone think Kerry WANTED to concede? They just put themselves over the voters, both of them - and this feeble attempt to make himself look good, makes him look more pathetic.

[kiteinthewind]

114. Gore did not concede. The SCOTUS annointed the boy king. Exactly what should Gore

have done at that point? :shrug:

[blm]

124. Neither Kerry or Edwards wanted to concede and neither had a legal case to make

that included legal EVIDENCE.

If Edwards had that legal evidence he would have shared it with Kerry and the Dem election legal team who was gathering the facts to make a case, don't you think?

Has Edwards ever claimed that he would have had a case to make in court to continue?

Or is it another INTERNET MYTH that people have pushed against Kerry instead of staying with the facts about election fraud as Robert F Kennedy Jr. did in his Rolling Stone investigative piece?

[Matariki]

88. Nice try, Karl ;-)

[LSK]

108. I got 2 words for you: KENNETH BLACKWELL

[thereismore]

117. that's your choice. Have a happy day. nt

[draft_mario_cuomo]

3. Why did they say he is going to run?

There have been several "he is" or "he isn't" stories in the media. Is this based on anything concrete?

[tom_paine]

5. Give back that which was stolen from him

[The Count]

102. Give back that which was stolen from US!

It would be such a healing ending to this story!

[SoFlaJet]

6. HALLELUJAH!!!!!

Gore campaign team assembles in secret
By Tim Shipman in Washington, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 11:59pm BST 21/04/2007



Friends of Al Gore have secretly started assembling a campaign team in preparation for the former American vice-president to make a fresh bid for the White House.


Al Gore is third favorite for the Democratic nomination


Two members of Mr Gore's staff from his unsuccessful attempt in 2000 say they have been approached to see if they would be available to work with him again.

Mr Gore, President Bill Clinton's deputy, has said he wants to concentrate on publicizing the need to combat climate change, a case made in his film, An Inconvenient Truth, which won him an Oscar this year.

But, aware that he may step into the wide open race for the White House, former strategists are sounding out a shadow team that could run his campaign at short notice. In approaching former campaign staff, including political strategists and communications officials, they are making clear they are not acting on formal instructions from Mr Gore, 59, but have not been asked to stop.

His denials of interest in the presidency have been couched in terms of "no plans" or "no intention" - politically ambiguous language that does not rule out a run.

One of his former campaign team said: "I was asked whether I would be available towards the end of the year if I am needed. They know he has not ruled out running and if he decides to jump in, he will have to move very fast.

"He hasn't asked them to do this, but nor has he told them not to."

In an interview on Thursday, which touched on the prospects for next year's presidential election, Mr Clinton commented: "You've got the prospect that Vice-President Gore might run."

The most recent opinion polls show Mr Gore as third favorite to take the Democratic nomination, on about 17 per cent support, only a whisker behind Barack Obama, 45, who is aiming to become the first black US president, and ahead of John Edwards, 53, the senator whose wife was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Vice-President Gore's allies believe that Hillary Clinton, 59, the frontrunner, is unable to win the presidency. The most recent poll shows a growing number of voters think negatively of her, in contrast to Mr Gore, who enjoys far greater popularity than when he lost the 2000 presidential race despite polling more votes nationally than the eventual winner, George W Bush.

The second aide approached by Vice-President Gore's allies said: "There is no love lost between Gore and Hillary. They don't think she can win and they're probably right. If Gore runs, he's got a really good chance of getting the nomination. And he has a good chance of pulling off the election, too."

Gore-watchers believe that a new book he is publishing next month on the state of US politics will keep his name in the public eye. Many of his supporters helped to run the unsuccessful presidential campaign of John Kerry in 2004. But since Sen Kerry abandoned his presidential aspirations this year, many of his leading advisers have yet to align themselves with any of the other candidates.

They were expected to join the campaign of Sen Edwards, who was Sen Kerry's running mate last time.

The former aide, who has himself signed up with Sen Edwards, said: "The question is: where have all the Kerry people gone? The answer for most of them is nowhere. Now ask yourself why."

Among the senior officials not yet committed is Michael Whouley, who was national field director for the successful Clinton-Gore 1992 presidential campaign, national campaign manager for Mr Gore when he stood for re-election as vice-president in 1996, and then a senior adviser to Mr Gore in 2000.

Considered one of the most talented Democratic "ground war" experts, he masterminded John Kerry's political resurrection in the New Hampshire presidential primary three years ago, putting him on course for the nomination. Last year, he oversaw the Democratic victory in the mid-term elections.

Two months ago, a former Gore aide, Elaine Kamarck, convened a group of former aides in Boston to consider the possibilities of a Gore campaign.

James Carville, President Clinton's former strategy chief, suggested last week that Mr Gore, who has piled on the pounds, could shed weight over the summer to make himself more media-friendly for a White House run.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he lost 15lb or so," said Mr Carville. "And I think if people thought he could get us out of the mess we're in with Iraq, they wouldn't care how fat he is."

A poll of leading Democratic and Republican strategists found that one in four thought Mr Gore would emerge a strong contender. "He already has emerged - he just has to announce," a Democrat told the magazine Opinion Journal.

A Republican said: "Gore could be the toughest Democrat to beat."

At least eight websites are campaigning to "Draft Gore" into the election. More than 70,000 people have signed an online petition, and more than 120 groups of Gore supporters meet each month around the country to promote the case for a Gore presidency. One website offers the chance to download a song called Run Al, Run!

[InvisibleTouch]

52. I wonder if it's so secret...

...that he doesn't even know about it! :)

Oh, I'd love it if he does run, but I'm still not getting my hopes way up.


On a somewhat related topic:

Happy Earth Day, DU!

[Cassandra]

7. Doesn't that RWer look like a white version...

of Al Sharpton? Shape of the face, etc. Too bad he doesn't have half the brains.

[orpupilofnature57]

11. Whaaaa? looking like he wasn't got Shrub elected!

Looks like President Gore is a true Democrat ,pissing off the Machine.

[WinkyDink]

32. "looking like he wasn't got Shrub elected!" = ??

[orpupilofnature57]

10. ^^^^^^^^^^^ DNC doesn't like non-Hollywood actors ^^^^^^^^^^^

[ThomWV]

12. May I ask what was said by whom on Washington Journal

Oh, and by the way, when?

[malaise]

13. They made reference to an article

where some persons who had worked with him in 2000 were called in for discussions. Trying to find a link.

[orpupilofnature57]

15. Here it is.

http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/12350/al-gores-campaign-team-readying-to-ride-again/

[malaise]

17. Thanks n/t

[RestoreGore]

73. But not by Mr. Gore. n/t

[Digital]

14. Please let it be true!!

We are in an environmental crisis that is threatening to destroy society. I truly believe that Al Gore may save the human race, but he must have the power to make the right decisions! If another repuke gets elected, it may be all over for us.

[Hubert Flottz]

16. And they say that one man can't change anything.

The Pubbie's worst nightmare is Al on TV telling the truth loudly and clearly!

[halobeam]

18. Oh that is one statement I agree with!!!

They threw Hillary at us, saying the maj. of Dems want her, HOW many months ago? I think they did this b/c they want to run against her, they don't believe she would win. Now they are seeing the rise in Obama supporters and are worried, they didn't think he'd get the support he's gotten already. If Al Gore ran... Cardiologists for Republicans would be on call 24/7. You bet he is their worst nightmare. He's everything they are not, and the majority want a BIG change. Perfect match.

[peacebird]

19. agree 100% - Al Gore as Dem nominee is the republicans worst nightmare

Every time folks see an image of Gore they will remember Gore v. Bush 2000 and mournfully think "IF ONLY...."

[The Count]

30. Oh, man! getting my 2000 vote back! (can I vote 3 times for him now? I should!)

[The Count]

21. What an appropriate Earth Day present! I chose to believe it!

And a happy Earth Day to you too!

[w4rma]

29. It's good to finally get to agree with you on stuff, The Count. (nt)

[The Count]

35. Yeay! I like it better this way too! Happy earth Day!

[w4rma]

37. Happy Earth Day! (nt)

[Clark2008]

59. I agree with The Count 99.9 percent of the time!

:hi:

[ThomWV]

22. If he runs it will change the world

[The Count]

28. It would certainly wake me up! I'd work tirelessly to fight the MSM

which would be all over it like a cheap suit (non-earth tones)

[SammyWinstonJack]

25. Oh please let this be true!

:bounce:

[Rosemary2205]

31. I don't believe it.

The man has said repeatedly he has no plans to run. Al Gore is NOT a liar.

[The Count]

36. This would NOT make him a liar. These kind of decisions are made according

to circumstances at the time. His time has come - there's nothing to justify about changing one's mind on that.

[Rosemary2205]

42. Changing his mind

I like Gore, don't get me wrong, I even volunteered in GA for his campaign. (talk about swimming upstream) But the man has told me repeatedly, even recently, that he will not run for president. A man who says one thing and does something else entirely is not the kind of man people want in the WH after Smirk.

I trust Al Gore. I believe if the man repeats over and over again he isn't going to run then he isn't. I just don't believe Gore will run because he's said too many times he won't.

[Bjorn Against]

47. Can you find one link to support the claim that he said he "won't" run?

Sure you can find several in which he says he has no plans to run, but that is far different than saying he won't run. In order to have plans to run you actually have to be doing the work of planning the campaign, so if Gore has not started the planning yet then he would be telling the truth even if in reality he intends to run. Every comment he has made about 2008 has been very carfully worded.

[Rosemary2205]

55. So it was all word games?

I just don't believe Gore is that kind of person. I think he says what he means. Gore has always been one to just throw it out there. I don't believe he has been "carefully wording" - which IMHO is the same as saying deliberately misleading.

Shrub is the kind of schmuck that tap dances around words to play games with the truth. Not Gore. Just MHO, and because of that opinion I don't think he will run.

If he does, I'll support him just like I did in 2000, but I don't think he will.

[RestoreGore]

75. Rosemary2205, I agree with you

Mr. Gore is a man of his word. Period. So all of this speculative BS is just that.

[Bjorn Against]

109. It is not necessarily misleading though...

It all depends on what his thoughts are when those words come out of his mouth. If he is absolutely certain he is going to jump into the race and he just hasn't started planning yet then it would be misleading, but if he is considering it but has not made up his mind then his words are not misleading at all. My guess is that he is considering it or else he would just say flat out "no, it is absolutely positively not going to happen". Because he is unwilling to do that I think he is considering it, but because he has probably not firmly made up his mind yet he is not misleading anyone by saying he has no plans.

[Subdivisions]

115. Why is it so hard to

understand that Al Gore has NEVER categorically stated that he would not run. He has stated in response to the question that he has no plans. That is PRESENT TENSE.

Look. The ONE person in this world that knows he has the luxury of jumping in at any point before the Democratic National Convention nominee is chosen is Al Gore. In fact, I feel confident saying that there has never been a situation like this before (feel free to correct me if I am wrong) where a certain individual could enter the race at the last minute and still win the nomination and the election.

How do I know he could win? Well, because he lost. Yep. Bush made it possible for Gore to win in 2008. Nevermind all the water under the bridge since then, but people that vote and who are sick of Republicans and George Bush and the Neocons, et al. have not forgotten that Gore lost the electoral/supreme court votes while smashing Bush in the popular vote. It was a huge controversy at the time and a lot of people were dumbfounded how such a huge disparity in the popular vote (some 500,000 in Gore's favor) could result in a loss. There was even talk of dismantling the Electoral College. And ever since, despite popular opinion, Bush & Co. have turned up their collective nose and done their own thing and people are sick of it.

Would Al Gore, should he end up running, be guilty of perpetuating a lie? A resounding no. Look at how he's been spending his time lately. Everything he does relating to An Inconvenient Truth including travelling the world presenting it in person, training others to present it, appearing with its producers to share in Oscar glory, being treated like a Salem witch by Imhofe while testifying to Congress. And add to that his writing, his family, his personal business and fending off stupid freepers dissing his energy habits while orchestrating a local victory in his hometown that would allow him to install solar panels.

I don't know about you but if that were me, and I knew that I could wait until the last minute and let the others pick each other off, all the while saving my own election funds for the homestretch, I wouldn't make the decision NOW nor would I develop a plan. So, if asked, I would respond that I don't have any plans or intentions to run. But, when it got down to the wire, I could revisit the issue and make the decision at that point in time.

I didn't change my mind. I didn't lie. I simply waited until it was do or die, weigh all the options and issues, gauge public opinion and based on what I see, and if I like what I see and want the job, I make the decision to run.

Anyone who is ready to label Al Gore a liar if he decides to run is just setting themselves up to oppose THE ONE PERSON whose honesty, conviction, and integrity we can count on to get us out of this nightmare. Imagine, a president who has a fix on global warming. Imagine a president who, with the help of a Dem Congress, could get us out of war and reconcile our relationship with the world. Imagine a president that considers you, yes YOU!, as the boss. Please don't let your misconception of his previous "denials" cloud your perception of him, should he decide later to jump in to the 2008 race.

[proud2BlibKansan]

43. Plans can change

Think about that statement for just a minute.

I have no plans to get hit by lightning today either. But it's supposed to rain. And I will be outside at a peace vigil holding an umbrella. :)

[malaise]

45. No plan at this time

Time moves on. Run Al run!!

[salin]

58. I would love it if he ran... but I don't think a rw British tabloid is a reliable

source.

Granted we differ, if he did announce to run (which i think seems unlikely) I wouldn't view him as a liar. More that he chose his words to be noncommittal (ala never say never.)

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

34. Al Gore will always be my president.

I will walk through fire for that guy. I will give every ounce of energy I can muster to get him over the top and I know alot of folks who will do the same.

One voice of sanity in an insane world, Al is The Man!

[DemGa]

39. Go Al Gore!! n/t

[lonestarnot]

44. Still waiting and watching.

[NightWatcher]

50. "Gore campaign team assembles in secret" from Telegraph.co.uk

<snip>
Friends of Al Gore have secretly started assembling a campaign team in preparation for the former American vice-president to make a fresh bid for the White House.

Two members of Mr Gore's staff from his unsuccessful attempt in 2000 say they have been approached to see if they would be available to work with him again.

One of his former campaign team said: "I was asked whether I would be available towards the end of the year if I am needed. They know he has not ruled out running and if he decides to jump in, he will have to move very fast.

The second aide approached by Vice-President Gore's allies said: "There is no love lost between Gore and Hillary. They don't think she can win and they're probably right. If Gore runs, he's got a really good chance of getting the nomination. And he has a good chance of pulling off the election, too."

Among the senior officials not yet committed is Michael Whouley, who was national field director for the successful Clinton-Gore 1992 presidential campaign, national campaign manager for Mr Gore when he stood for re-election as vice-president in 1996, and then a senior adviser to Mr Gore in 2000.

Considered one of the most talented Democratic "ground war" experts, he masterminded John Kerry's political resurrection in the New Hampshire presidential primary three years ago, putting him on course for the nomination. Last year, he oversaw the Democratic victory in the mid-term elections.

Two months ago, a former Gore aide, Elaine Kamarck, convened a group of former aides in Boston to consider the possibilities of a Gore campaign
<snip>

[malaise]

56. Now on Huffpo

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x727220

[DesertRat]

51. Wishing and hoping and thinking and praying, planning and dreaming

:kick:

[rosesaylavee]

53. K & R n/t

[Cameron27]

54. K&r

:D

[HCE SuiGeneris]

57. Will he select Dennis Kucinich as his VP also?

He would be the best counter balance to the anathema currently installed in that position.

[NYCGirl]

60. No, I'd say that is not in the cards. NT

[cascadiance]

65. I think Russell Feingold would also be a very good choice in that regard!

And I don't think Feingold has excluded the possibility of running as a VP at this point.

[K8-EEE]

69. Right, look who he picked last time....

LIEberman!

As if he would pick Kooch or Feingold!

Put Al in the cabinet, but no more Prez runs, he blew it last time. I know he WON but ran a pathetic campaign and PICKED LIEBERMAN....I'm not over that at all!

I'm sure President EDWARDS could appoint him somewhere where he could do some good!

[cascadiance]

74. It was his consultants that screwed him in 2000 and had Lieberman get put on the ticket...

You are right, that the guy that was runing in 2000 before he started moving towards the grass roots mid campaign was someone that I was thinking of bolting to Nader for as well.

But before that, I'd always admired Gore's independent spirit, and actually supported him in earlier campaigns before he ran as VP with Clinton.

Jeff Cohen had written an interesting article here in Common Dreams on what we as progressives should look at to measure Gore as presidential candidate for 2008. He points out very well that we have limited options with the way the system is rigged to get someone optimal out there that can WIN! Recall that even FDR when he ran for president the first time had many candidates to the left of him when the nation was in a very restless mood after the depression. Getting him in power was probably the best thing that happened to this country then. Someone who was pragmatic, and creative and constructive about working with many different groups of Americans to rebuild this country then. We need that kind of person now. I believe that Gore, given the chance this time, and working with the right people instead of the older Beltway consultants, can make a difference.

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0719-32.htm

For me, Russell Feingold would be the optimal guy, but I think he and Gore together have the best chance at getting voted in and carrying out a truly progressive agenda, but one that could get support from many moderates in the middle as well.

[lovuian]

81. He is someone he can trust instead of Lieberman

I could go for Edwards or Kucinich even Richardson

[Garbo 2004]

76. Gore Camp Denies Report Of Secret Campaign

By Greg Sargent

Naah. Not happening. Al Gore's camp is denying a report saying that his friends have "secretly started assembling a campaign team in preparation for the former American vice-president to make a fresh bid for the White House." The report is now one of the lead stories on the Drudge Report and is being played up elsewhere.

But Gore spokesperson Kalee Kreider emails us this: "There is not a secret campaign operation in Nashville or any other part of the country to mobilize a campaign...other than that which the former Vice President has stated, to mobilize the American people to address the climate crisis."

Adds former Gore adviser Michael Feldman: "Pure fantasy."

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/apr/22/gore_camp_denies_report_of_secret_campaign

[malaise]

79. Damn!

:cry: :cry:

[cascadiance]

87. I think ultimately Gore needs to say this himself...

... before people will believe all of these "spokespeople".

There's a lot of efforts to keep any definite sign of him running from showing up. That could either be a genuine dismissal of these rumors, or a tactical way of making sure that the other sides don't have any room to jump in and start attacking him now. If they attack him prematurely, they probably do more harm to themselves than to him. Gore knows that if he is contemplating running, that he will want to keep them guessing as long as he can.

In this day and age of our corrupt system of elections, etc., I can understand why games like this sometimes need to be played. Dean didn't see them coming at him when he got nailed by them and he suffered from that last time. Have to be more careful this time around.

[The Count]

105. Damn! There's still some hours left in Earth Day...I wanted to treat myself.

I knew the source/tone was iffy, but I chose to believe - because I needed to.
back to sleep

[cascadiance]

111. Their last Earth Day concert was supposed to start at 4 PM EST...

Which means its only been playing for an hour now and is on as we speak/write here now!

It would be cool if someone in an hour or so could relay to us that he just announced, but I won't get overly disappointed if he doesn't just yet.

If he does announce there, I don't know whether that might create problems for him with campaign finance laws, etc. using that event to make such an announcement. It might be safer for him to announce afterward for that reason alone.

[The Count]

119. The legal consequences might be the reason for multiple announcements for some candidates

Anyway, even after the disclaimer, I still don't buy the door being closed on this one. We'll see.

[StarryNite]

83. Run, Al, run!

Mother Earth needs you.

[MadBadger]

85. If he does Decide to run, He should announce at Live Earth Concert

Just my opinion.

[The Count]

104. Or, when accepting the Nobel prize for Peace? (I like yours better, just wanted to

bring that one there - the world clearly wants him!

[lse7581011]

86. Please God!

let this be true!

[Kazak]

96. I can't wait for my chance to vote for Al Gore!!!

(I turned up to vote for Al in 2000 only to find my name had been purged from the voter roll.)

[illinoisprogressive]

103. TMP Cafe says it is just a rumor run amok. Gore spokesman says it is fantasy

[The Count]

107. Back to the drab reality...back to my coffin with me.

[GreenPoet64]

116. He's got my vote! Run, Al, run!! n/t

[Colobo]

118. Some of you are delusional

[The Count]

120. Better dream a good candidate will run then blind oneself to the actual candidate's

big problems (not addressed to you/yours).
Some delusions help you make it through a day without harming anyone...

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

122. AL GORE CONFIRMS REPORTS OF "SECRET" MEETINGS!!

What? You expected something like that?

Why would he confirm something he wished to remain secret?

Why would he want to give any indication he is even considering running, when publicly his statements have been that he "has no plans to run."

If and hopefully When he's good and ready, that statement will change, but until then, there is absolutely no sense in him giving any legitimacy to rumors about meetings which may or may not even be taking place.

[Warren DeMontague]

126. And some supporters of other candidates are afraid that it might be true.

Really afraid.

And for good reason.

[Pastiche423]

128. Like you?

[lonestarnot]

123. kick

[Bluebear]

127. We're not supposed to comment, however.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=732235&mesg_id=737328