Huffington Post -- 2008: Will Al Gore Be the Anti-Hillary?

[Larkspur]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/2008-will-al-gore-be-the_b_8708.html

It's still three years away but Hollywood is already starting to choose sides for 2008. And two very distinct camps have started to form: those backing Hillary, and those desperately searching for the anti-Hillary.

Hillary is descending on L.A. this week, with a small Democratic strategy session planned for Thursday at Ron Burkle's home with, among other Hollywood players, Haim Saban and Rob Reiner, and a trio of fundraisers Friday and Saturday at the homes of Reiner, Bruce Cohen, and Marta Kauffman.

The devoted Hillary-ites include deep-pocket donors like Saban, Steve Bing, and Alan and Cindy Horn.

The Hollywood insiders who are not going the Hillary way are not ready to go public yet (I'm sure some of them will even be at the Hillary fundraisers this weekend). But, in private conversations, a growing number of them say they are determined to find another candidate to support.
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EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

Guess Arianna hasn't heard Gore's refusal yet, and maybe the Hollywood anti-Hillary donors will convince Gore to change his mind. Who knows!

[Ksec]

1. Al Gore piked you know who as a running mate

Hardly a hard left guy

[NYCGirl]

3. Al Gore has changed. NT

[AlGore-08.com]

9. Back in 1999, Arianna Huffington was calling Lieberman the only real Dem

And the only Democrat with a heart, the only one with a spine.

I'm just sayin'...

[mestup]

2. I think 2006 is more important than 2008.

Hope I don't get flamed, but I think it's a real stretch to imagine a a Democrat taking the Preznutsy in 2008. It'll be a Giuliani or a McCain. (Sorry to say it, and I don't like the idea.) Dems don't understand what "leadership" means to the current voters. It's a feel-good figurehead thing. If Dems could agree on how to draw non and never voters out, that might be different.

Until then, I think Dems need to put all their energy into election reform and 2006.

Just sayin.

[election_2004]

4. Wes Clark....

...had the support of some celebrities during the 2004 primaries, including Tom Bergeron, and Ted Danson & Mary Steenburgen...maybe something will grow out of that?

[Tennessee Gal]

5. On Gore: more from the piece

But more and more, the Hollywood buzz is centering on Al Gore.

"He's been strongly against the war since the beginning," a big Dem donor who is hoping to convince Gore to run told me, "and with gas prices going through the roof and killer hurricanes wreaking havoc, he's the gold standard on global warming, alternative energy, and the environment. What's not to like?"

And Lawrence Bender, who after producing "Kill Bill" is now producing what I hear is a killer documentary featuring Gore and his fight to get our country to take action on global warming, told me that the former VP "would be a hell of a candidate. Unlike 2000, he's now clearly very comfortable in his own shoes. Bold, passionate, committed, and very funny. It's been amazing working with him."

[salin]

6. I would prefer Gore to Hillary - and hope he changes his mind.

But I have to agree with the poster pushing attention to 2006 at this time rather than speculating on 2008. Each bumble from the right makes congressional seats more ripe for the picking - each bumble from the right makes another seat less likely to be governed by the laws of incumbency (ie that it is almost impossible to beat an incumbent.) 2006 is what needs to be our constant focus, imo.

[Cosmocat]

7. Global warming and the environment ...

Are INCREDIBLY important ... But, they simply are not going to be core issues that are going to be the foundation for a presidential run ... Not now, not in 2008 and beyond ... Same with Edwards and poverty ... Important, but not important to the general masses ...

The environment is pretty much always going to be trumped by the "them there democrates want to take our guns" crowd ... Global warming, no matter how it is presented is trumped by "tax and spend" parroting ... This stuff is just too far removed from the concern of the average joe ...

We would be in such a better place had Big Al not been pinched out in 1999 ... But, I don't think he is the guy here ... Again, he "lost" as far as the country is concerned, and still has the same characteristics that people were led to believe were a fault at the time ... His intelligence and decency still come though as being "stiff" ... He isn't adept socially, and unfortunately the masses get dumbed into the "a guy we would want to have a beer with" gold standard ... The same "problem" Kerry had ... Again, to me a clearly intelligent and decent man, but a bit stiff ...

I am buying Wes Clark in a big way ... He doesn't have the domestic experience, but he has the character and intelligence of a guy like Gore/Kerry, but has a MUCH more refined package ... I also would say Dean is better ... The gruff direct thing will play better than the political way Gore or Kerry try to address issues ... And, while a lot of people here have this bizarre hatred for her, Hillary is going to be a factor cause she is focused, sharp, has been there for an actual 8 year presidential run, and seems to have the financial resources to make a big run ...

Again ... I think a ticket of Clark or Dean with Hillary as VP would just ROCK ...

[Skidmore]

8. I heard this morning on CNN that Gore has said he will not run.

[AlGore-08.com]

10. He said he has no plans to run, but didn't rule out a future interest

It was a mixed message at best.

But even if it were the case that he does not plan to run now, there is a lot of time to convince him to change his mind - - or even draft him.