Al Gore: The 2008 Election Wild Card

[patrioticintellect]

The polls as we speak have painted a picture of a “horse race” that has been etched into the minds of all Americans. The leaders are Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Coming in closely behind are John Edwards and Bill Richardson. Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, and Dennis Kucinich trail behind the leaders significantly. And Mike Gravel is unfortunately that angry old man, a curmudgeon, who we have all grown to laugh at as he continues to hang in the race despite his 0% registered support.

There is one catch however. Some of the polls for Democrats show Al Gore with a significant percentage of support. He in fact was ahead of many at one point but has since drifted back down to single digits in the polls. But what’s amazing is that people are still trying to draft Al Gore for 2008. And even more important, Al Gore is holding on to constituents who could be supporting candidates that are really running for election in 2008.

What does this mean for Democratic candidates? It means that Democratic candidates can expect to see a group of voters up for grabs in the coming months (that is, if Gore is truly not running for president, which I think it is safe to say he is not). And who will those voters go to? Most likely, Al Gore supporters will go for Hillary Rodham Clinton believing that maybe they will get more of the Bill Clinton policy they used to love so dearly. Or perhaps, they will go for Barack Obama’s charisma and eloquent speaking abilities. Or maybe, they will even move to a candidate who has been labeled “minor” by the media like Dennis Kucinich.

Why are there so many Americans who are willing to hang back hoping for Al Gore to run? DraftGore.com gives good reasoning:

Whether the issue is global warming, war and peace, reforming government, or leading a technological revolution, Al Gore has always been ahead of the curve. The climate crisis may be hot today, but Congressman Gore was pounding on this issue long before Washington had even heard of global warming.

At a time when politicians have lost the art of inspiring and leading, Al Gore speaks the truth and speaks it from the heart. His message is born out of conviction and is often decades ahead of its time. And he never gives in to politics as usual.

I disagree with the group’s contention that Al Gore never gave in to politics as usual. I don’t think Al Gore is the only politician who speaks from the heart either. But, that’s not the point here. The point is:

Al Gore personifies a cause to millions of people who fiercely believe he was rightfully elected in 2000, and who will never get over the events that stopped the counting of the votes in Florida and put the election in the hands of a partisan Supreme Court. To this day people continue to address him as President Gore. As Martin Peretz wrote in a June 2006 op-ed in The New Republic, “there is an undercurrent of guilt around the country about the fact that the presidency was taken from him by a vote of 5 to 4."

If you notice on the site where this is from, the group refers to Gore as “a cause that shall never die”. As a Kucinich supporter, I can identify with this kind of faith in an individual. I’m willing to go to the nth degree to defend Kucinich, speak out and spread the word of Kucinich, and vote for Kucinich in 2008. And I feel bad for these people that Al Gore hasn’t stepped up and run for office.

But why may that be? Why isn’t he running? Perhaps, Al Gore has realized that it is much easier to do what one wants to do outside of being president. Perhaps, Al Gore is enjoying himself a bit too much these days. He may want to focus on global climate change advocacy and his Current television channel instead of taking on the role of our nation’s leader. (In fact, I think if you read The Assault on Reason by Al Gore you will have no trouble agreeing with me.)

Gore does not just play out as a factor in the polls. Right now, he also stands to benefit any of the Democratic candidates greatly. There are many implications, but whoever Al Gore comes out speaking in favor of or “endorsing”, which is what it will be referred to as even if it is not formal endorsement, will see a boost in their poll numbers immediately. Should Gore stand up and say explicitly, “I do not plan to run and instead, I support this Democratic candidate to run”, than supporters of organizations like Draft Gore in 2008 will dissolve, followers of Gore and members of Draft Gore will move to the “next best candidate”, or each one of those followers will examine each candidate and decide who to vote for, which may even lead to many voting for a third party candidate.

Something to take note of is the fact that Al Gore supporters are looking at this race from the outside and critiquing all candidates from the “minor” candidates to the “major” candidates. Primarily, they are examining policies of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Many are more than likely in fact examining John Edwards and Bill Richardson also. Supporters are taking each of those stances on the issues and each proposed policies and comparing them to Gore so that they can better promote a Gore campaign. And as they come to dislike those candidates more and more and become more hooked on a possible Al Gore run, what happens when he doesn’t run? Do they choose the lesser of two evils and go for a popular major candidate? Or do they vote their conscience and go for a candidate like Dennis Kucinich?

Bottom line: Even after Labor Day, Al Gore is still on the minds of Democrats. He just seems like the guy who should be cleaning up the mess George W. Bush made. And so, some Americans wait and wonder if he will run or who he will endorse. Thus, the deciding factor of this election may not be special interests, corporate interests, or the amount of money one raises. It could be whether Al Gore likes what candidates bring to the table or not. And if that’s so, based on what each Democratic candidate brings, Gore will decide who deserves to lead America into a new and brighter day.

Source: http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_kevin_go_070908_al_gore_3a_the_2008_el.htm

[Rydz777]

1. I like your analysis. It's both rational and fair. I'm one of the ones

holding out for Gore, because I really think he would be the best President to clean up the devastating mess that Bush has created. As for your candidate, Kucinich, I like his platform and I like his eloquence. I think he would make a great Speaker of the House.

[reprobate]

40. What a wonderful idea! Look out Nancy, we've found your replacement.

[MasonJar]

2. I am waiting for Al Gore.

[katty]

49. I think Al Gore will run-and HE WILL WIN

[gorekerrydreamticket]

50. I think he wins easily if he runs...n/m

[Myrina]

3. must disagree:

"...And who will those voters go to? Most likely, Al Gore supporters will go for Hillary Rodham Clinton ..."

IMO there's little love left between the Gores and the Clintons at this point, which is why Al distanced himself so far from them during his 2000 run. I see Al as the "anti-Hillary" and if he does choose not to run for '08 (regrettably), my support - and I suspect many others - will to go Kucinich or Edwards.

JMHO.

Also, a question: why do you state ... He (Gore) just seems like the guy who should be cleaning up the mess George W. Bush made."?

Dimson should be cleaning up his own messes by this point in his miserable life.

[patrioticintellect]

5. Cleaning up G.W. Bush's Mess

I say that because Al Gore had the election stolen from him in 2000. And that is why we got stuck with Bush. And I think some supporters are of the mindset that who better to clean up after Bush than the man who had the election stolen from him by Bush. I mean, in the history books, it would do amazing and wonderful things to Bush's legacy. Bush would forever be that horrible president and Gore would be the one who came in and saved Americans from the terrible aftermath we can expect to occur after Bush leaves.

[Myrina]

12. I understand what you're saying, but not how you said it ...

... I don't disagree for a second that Al is the most qualified and able person to get us back on track as a country, but I guess if I were him and someone said to me "Please run for President so you can clean that Dumbass's shit up", I'd be like ... 'uhh, no thanks'. Especially since Dumbass shouldn't have gotten there in the first place.


:shrug:

[patrioticintellect]

16. That's logical to me

Yes, I wouldn't want people to tell Gore it's his job to clean up after him. But I just think it would be the biggest slap in the face for Republicans to have that guy finally make it to office and then show them how wrong they were to have supported Bush instead of Gore.

[wildhorses]

8. 2 yr olds create messes

grownups clean them up...

know what i mean?

it may not be gore but, it will be a grownup.

[emmadoggy]

21. I agree.

Many, many of the Gore supporters on DU say they want Gore, and in lieu of him running, will go for either Kucinich or Edwards. Some like the idea of a Gore/Obama ticket. I've heard virtually no one say if Gore doesn't run, they'll go for Clinton.

I'm another Gore hold-out who will be in the Kucinich or Edwards camp if he doesn't jump in. I am definitely checking out other candidates also. This is just my opinion, but my feeling is that the people who are holding out for Gore are folks who care deeply about the environment and the climate crisis, are deeply concerned about the Constitutional crisis, executive over-reach, and abuses of the current administration, and who are angry about the corporate stranglehold in this country and the wasting away of the middle class. These are topics that we've heard little depth about from the other candidates, most notably from Hillary. Those are not the only issues Gore folks care about, but they are major issues that the other candidates seem to be only giving brief lip-service to. Gore holdouts are looking for intelligence, integrity, experience, diplomacy, vision, and leadership. Not that the other candidates don't possess some of those qualities, but Gore has proven to have these qualities in spades. He's the one, to me, who would be MOST able to dig us out of this spiraling vortex of hell we are in. And finally, I think many of us would have a great sense of justice if he were finally able to assume the position he was denied.

Maybe I'm way off base and these are only MY views but no one inspires me and gives me as much hope for the future as Gore and I don't think I'm the only one who feels that way.

[patrioticintellect]

25. To anyone who read Assault on Reason...

I would expect them to be holding out for Al Gore. That book could be the ingredients of his campaign. All he has to do is say read my book and vote for me and people would.

[Bitwit1234]

4. Just looking at the TV screen and the candidates

both democrat and republican what do we see millionaires, and multi-millionaires. Isn't it a shame that some where out there we might have a real live presidential candidate who doesn't have the money or the influence to run for president?

For example...Mitt Romney 250 million dollars. And from the presidential candidates to the representatives again an example...the absolute coarse, characterless Sensennbrener (how ever you spell it) who is heir to the Kimberly Clark fortune. And he just won another 250,000 in a lottery. And won the lottery twice in the last couple of years. Like to like.

All the people with money running the country, no wonder laws and bills passed don't benefit the poor and middle class.

[patrioticintellect]

7. My answer to your problem

Kucinich

[zalinda]

9. But to be fair

Would someone making minimum wage be able to run the country? I know, I know, Bush would probably be making minimum wage if he hadn't had connections. See, I guess that's the point.

I don't see how we can get away from millionaires running the country. Any one who can manage things well, would probably have their own companies or be making a lot of money. They'd want a nest egg before running for any office, so as not to hurt their family. For best results, you'd want someone who came from humble beginnings, and still knows the feeling of tightening the belt.

zalinda

[Myrina]

13. Wow

"Would someone making minimum wage be able to run the country?"
"Any one who can manage things well, would probably have their own companies or be making a lot of money."

I really do hope you're being a little tongue-in-cheek there. :wtf:

Some of the best problem solvers and money managers I've ever met are low-income single parents.
We know how to make ends meet and cover bases in ways that millionaires and their overpaid CPA's couldn't even dream of, because they don't live it, don't understand it: they just pay someone else to fix it for them.

Give me a common sense blue collar president, any day!!

[zalinda]

24. Unfortunately not tongue in cheek

I know how difficult a poor single mom has it, I've lived/am still living it. And I know, I couldn't run the country. There is much more to it than what meets the eye. Could you make a movie about it, why yes, you could. The sorry truth is that if you can't read legalese, you probably couldn't make any sense of what you are signing. How trust worthy would your assistants have to be, you would have to stake your life on them. I may have the common sense to run a household, but not the education to run a country. And the living proof is GWB, Harvard and Yale grad who can barely speak english.

Could most single moms run a country better than Bush, damn straight. But a single parent could/would never jeopardize the welfare of their family to take a year or two off to run for something they may or may not get. Only people who have a nest egg, could/would take time off to run to be the President. And, if it didn't work out, then no big deal, which would NEVER be the case with a struggling single parent.

zalinda

[patrioticintellect]

38. Congratulations

You are the first person ever to suggest that Kucinich would be a poor president because of his history as a homeless man.

[zalinda]

39. Wow, that's a stretch, even for a Kucinich supporter. n/t

[bemildred]

6. And Al will keep them guessing as long as possible.

As he should.

[patrioticintellect]

10. Good point, he doesn't really have to tell the media he isn't running ever

It just would be nice if he did so there wouldn't be these supporters hanging on to a thread of hope. But in my opinion, he could still say he is running like Thompson just did. Americans would love to see the election take a new turn.

[JackORoses]

11. Most likely, Al Gore supporters will go for Hillary Rodham Clinton

aaaaaah!
wrong answer, try again

[bemildred]

14. That was cute, the way that idea was slipped in there, wasn't it?

"Most likely, Al Gore supporters will go for Hillary Rodham Clinton believing that maybe they will get more of the Bill Clinton policy they used to love so dearly."

[patrioticintellect]

15. Do you disagree?

Do you disagree that much of Hillary's support is coming from Americans hoping to see some more Bill Clinton policy?

[bemildred]

18. It matters little if I agree or not.

It's just a great plug for Hillary.

I don't have much idea what "Americans" are thinking, and I am skeptical that this fellow does either. Perhaps they have some polls or something to support that idea. That is one thing I like about elections, even with the rigged nature of the election systems, you still get a real-world reading on "what Americans think".

Personally, I support Gore, and I would not vote for Hillary for that reason, since I don't care much for Bill's policies. It is true that Bill was a vast improvement over Bush the Younger, but I don't think either Clinton represents anything like the best we can do, and several of the things Clinton did I found very discrediting.

So I suppose I think it should be "It seems likely that many of Gore's supporters that long for a return to Bill Clinton's policies would switch to Hillary etc etc".

[patrioticintellect]

29. Agreed

CORRECTION

I had no basis for saying what I did about Hillary gaining support if Gore doesn't run simply because they want more Bill Clinton. I said it because I have a family member who would vote that way but that doesn't warrant a sweeping inference like the one being discussed.

My apologies and I hope that all of you Gore supporters get what you want soon. It would make the election so much more fun.

[bemildred]

30. Indeed it would, and no apology is needed for an honest exchange of views.

:hi:

[wildhorses]

17. this is one gore supporter who is looking

at ALL the candidates.

[AndyTiedye]

19. Without Gore in the Race, I Haven't Got a Candidate

Al Gore is holding on to constituents who could be supporting candidates that are really running for election in 2008.

We are holding out for Gore because he is SO MUCH BETTER than any of the candidates who are running.
He also has demonstrated that he can get his message out without the "news" media.
He actually HAS a message, unlike the front-runner candidates.

What does this mean for Democratic candidates? It means that Democratic candidates can expect to see a group of voters up for grabs in the coming months (that is, if Gore is truly not running for president, which I think it is safe to say he is not). And who will those voters go to? Most likely, Al Gore supporters will go for Hillary Rodham Clinton believing that maybe they will get more of the Bill Clinton policy they used to love so dearly.

I think that approximately 0% of Gore supporters will support Clinton. We'll vote for her in the general election if she is nominated, but that's it.

Or perhaps, they will go for Barack Obama’s charisma and eloquent speaking abilities.

Doesn't really do it for me. Will vote for him if nominated…

Or maybe, they will even move to a candidate who has been labeled “minor” by the media like Dennis Kucinich.

I probably would end up voting for Kucinich in the primary. I did last time. More of a protest vote than anything else though.

[patrioticintellect]

26. Don't do it in protest

Do it because all Americans should be voting for Kucinich ESPECIALLY if Gore isn't running.

Kucinich has no interest groups tied to him. Edwards, Obama, Clinton are a nightmare in that respect.

Kucinich will bring real policy to fighting global climate change with his Works Green Administration.

He can win. But the American people have to stop eating this "he won't get elected" bit and just do what they know is right.

When everyone stands up for what they believe in, America will see change.

[AndyTiedye]

31. I Don't Think He Can Win, But I Don't Think the Frontrunners Can Win Either

…so I might as well vote for an unelectable candidate that I like.

All of this assumes that we even HAVE an election :scared:

[patrioticintellect]

33. DK is rock solid on his stances...

...in comparison to all the other Democratic candidates who are weak on all the issues. Dennis has the policies, resolutions, and proposed legislation with his name on it to back up everything he says and is for.

That makes Dennis a stronger candidate for beating a Republican than any other Democratic candidate.

[tomreedtoon]

20. Not a Wild Card. A joker in the deck.

Has it occurred to you that Al Gore may very well be playing this "maybe I'll run and maybe I won't" as a cruel prank? He's proving how much support he has - and how little support the Party is willing to give him? This may be a form of vengeance against the Party that encouraged him to defeat. He may allow the Democrats to pick a candidate that is bound to lose (like so many Democratic candidates do) and stand on the sidelines and watch the nation sink into the sea.

This may sound crazy to you people, but if I had been backstabbed and betrayed the way Gore was, I would be tempted to do something against the DLC. Also, I've been reading Greg Palast recently, and if his writing proves anything, it's the vindictiveness, cruelty and stupidity of everyone of every party who's in power. And I'm sure Palast would agree with this estimate.

[rosesaylavee]

36. Read his books... I don't think he could write what he

has written and be as bitter as you suggest. That kind of bitterness takes too much energy and sucks the life right out of you. Gore has a focus and a passion that is larger than that.

I think we've all had betrayals to some degree - letting it go opened up a lot of creativity for me personally. I think Gore has done that and moved on.

[Scout1071]

22. Is this your editorial or are you reprinting somebody else's work?

I agree whole-heartedly with the sentiment, but if this isn't your work, I imagine you are violating copyright rules.

[Radio_Lady]

23. PatrioticIntellect, welcome to the DU. You should look at the rules for copying items at the DU.

Unless you ARE Kevin G. If so, you still need to add the original link somewhere in your article to corroborate your post.

If you are not the original author, you really need to verify the source at the outset and only copy out four paragraphs.

I went to your home page, and found this:

http://myorwelliannightmare.newsvine.com/_news/2007/09/08/949462-al-gore-the-2008-election-wild-card

Then, you link to the original article by Kevin G. at www.opednews.com :

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_kevin_go_070908_al_gore_3a_the_2008_el.htm

On edit: This does look like your work, but it is very hard to trace a screen name to your real name, written on another blog.

Follow the rules and you won't get in trouble.

In peace,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[patrioticintellect]

28. I would never lie about my work

Radio_Lady

Let it be said here if you catch me plagiarizing or stealing people's other work, you can kick me out of DU.

I care too much to be an idiot. But thanks for paying close attention. It means my writing and/or articles are getting better.

[Radio_Lady]

35. Hi PatrioticIntellect, I appreciate your comments.

Of course you know I don't own this website so I don't kick anyone out of DU!

Someone else challenged your article, and because of your small number of posts, I assumed you were a "newbie" who might not understand the rules.

I was reprimanded once several months ago for copying more than four paragraphs of a writer friend's work -- even though he agreed to have his work copied. Mostly, he posts his work at two other websites and I could not confirm whether those sites considered his work copyrighted. The whole situation became pretty vague and I decided it was more trouble than it was worth.

Anyway, there are a lot of gray areas over who-can-and-cannot-publish-what in this relatively new Internet world. I apologize if I came down too hard on you, but I completely missed the citation line at the bottom of your original post -- which was in there from the beginning or added by your edit.

Making peace a priority,

Radio Lady Ellen in Oregon

[patrioticintellect]

27. I wrote this

I wrote this.

My name is Kevin Gosztola. You can go to the source and read more about me if you like.

Good luck to you. And thanks for agreeing.

[depakid]

32. "if you read The Assault on Reason by Al Gore"

Having read it, I don't think he's going to run... even though the nomination and the presidency would be his for the asking.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

34. All's I know is we're fighting for Al in California

:hi: October 8 we begin collecting 500 signatures in each of 50 some-odd districts on petitions to draft him. We're determined to prevail.

[rosesaylavee]

37. Excellent!

Good luck to you in that. Here's hoping his campaign will be announced by that time! :hi:

[Divine Discontent]

41. I read it all

therefore it was written well. I don't agree with some of it. The main thing I disagree with is that if Gore left, Hillary would benefit the most. My three closest political associates, all who are hoping Al runs, all would be voting for Edwards or Obama. I rarely find a HRC supporter. Now, I KNOW there are HRC supporters on here that are extremely knowledgeable about politics, but speaking of the supporters of hers that I've met - they don't really know much of what's going on.

thanks for the piece...

[patrioticintellect]

42. Duly noted

I have had several response to my sweeping inference on Hillary gaining votes. I have nothing to back it up. So, yes, from the responses, I should remove it because Obama, Edwards, and especially Kucinich would pick up votes according to comments I've been getting.

[Divine Discontent]

46. thanks

I hope more read your comment, it was good. NanceGreggs has a great commentary on the DU home page.

[srf Rantz]

43. my crazy dream

my crazy dream that I've created to satisfy my strong desire for Al Gore to be rightfully restored to the presidency and to express my disgust with both current political parties, is that Al will run as a third party candidate, most logically as the Green candidate, rather than starting totally from scratch as some new party or independent. even tho it is a crazy dream, it makes a great deal of sense to me.

I've wanted for some time to float this idea as a new topic but don't have enough posts yet. anyone???

like many who feel betrayed by the dems failure to listen to the mandate which swept them into power in Nov '06, I've longed for some way to turn the failed corporate-owned 2-party system on its ear. historically, tho, 3rd party candidates have been either spoilers or lost-causes. only with someone with the credentials and wide-spread mainstream support of Al Gore could such a bid be successful. not only do I believe that such a bid could be successful, it would send a strong message to the existing parties to get their act together to represent the people not the corporations, if not utterly bring them to and end and lead to a complete restructuring of our policital system, creating a more representative party system, but it would also show the world that somehow the American people can still get it together to make their democracy work.

there are many advantages to this scenario that I can think of, that lead me to think that it just might work. and even if it didn't we'd get the treat of having him take part in debates during the main campaign giving voice to true progressive viewpoints.

anyone have Al's ear to plant the seed?

[Iwillnevergiveup]

44. With this administration

for years we've been head-banging over "this shouldn't be" or "this CAN'T be." :wtf:
We've been worn down and torn down as a result of mindless, mean-spirited, and cruel policies trotted out on almost on a daily basis. The consistent lack of spine by elected Congressional Democrats has further undermined our democracy. Outrage overload, right?

But I believe Al Gore represents the true spirit of the Democratic party and that he doesn't necessarily need to go a third way to get elected. The approval numbers for Congress are even lower than Bush's. That tells me a lot - just as many Republicans feel their party has left them, many of us Democrats feel as if our party has left us. Al Gore has the brains and heart to rally Democrats, Indies and many Republicans to the true intent of our democracy and to a resounding victory in 2008.

October 8 - the day California begins.

[Hawkowl]

45. NH

What we really need is a draft Gore campaign in New Hampshire and Iowa movement. This would really get the ball moving. I'm still holding out for Al, and I really think he will enter the race, but I really am hoping it is now sooner rather than later.

My only rationale as to why he hasn't announced yet, is the fact that he is awaiting the decision of the Nobel committee. The decision is to be announced mid-October, but the recipient usually knows weeks in advance.

[Imagevision]

47. Does anyone think Gore would interfere with Hillary's election by announcing to run??

Gore wouldn't go against the Clinton's now would he??

[Iwillnevergiveup]

48. ABSOLUTELY!

He cares about the country more than her career. Hell, I think Bill would vote for Al.:rofl:

[Radio_Lady]

51. Interesting conundrum. Would a Gore/Clinton ticket be amazing or what?

"We'd make a beautiful pair."