WP's Cillizza - 2008: The Case for Al Gore

[Pirate Smile]

I know, I know, focus on 2006, but if you are interested, I just found this on the WP Politics blog.

On Thursday he will do the case AGAINST Gore running in '08 - "In the spirit of fostering a political debate on the merits of a Gore 2008 candidacy, we'll use this space to argue both sides of the issue. Today, the case for a Gore candidacy. On Thursday, The Fix will make the case against it. Please chime in with your own thoughts in the comments section below."

2008: The Case for Al Gore


Is Al Gore the only Democrat capable of beating Hillary Clinton in the 2008 primaries? Above, the former veep speaks at the Jeddah Economic Forum last weekend in Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)

-snip-
Gore carries a "rock star" appeal (in the words of one former Gore strategist) in the eyes of many of the party's biggest donors -- especially in Silicon Valley and Hollywood. As evidence, look no further than the reception Gore received last month when "An Inconvenient Truth" -- a documentary about Gore's quest to focus the public's attention on the issue of global warming -- played at the Sundance Film Festival.

The next challenge for a candidate hoping to best Clinton in the primaries is to run to her ideological left. Clinton has drawn criticism from the activist community for her unwillingness to call for either an immediate withdrawal or a scaling back of the American military presence in Iraq. Clinton's 2002 vote backing the use of force against the Hussein regime never sat well with the most liberal elements of the Democratic party.

Among the group mentioned above, however, none except Gore has a "pure" record of opposition to the war. Bayh, Kerry and Edwards all voted for the use of force resolution; Warner did not have to vote on the measure, but his moderate record and rhetoric as governor make it extremely unlikely that he would try to run to Clinton's ideological left. All four men later criticized the handling of the Iraq occupation and reconstruction, but that may not satisfy liberals who never favored the war.

Gore, therefore, is the lone candidate who can stay competitive with Clinton on the fundraising side while drawing a major contrast with her on the biggest issue on the minds of voters.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2006/02/the_case_for_al_gore.html

[Robbins]

1. Feingold

If Gore doesn't run he can run to Hilary's left. He Is the only senator who Is likely running who
voted against going to war,and was the first to call for a timetable to get out of Iraq.

[hippiechick]

2. My dream ticket is Gore/Feingold ...

Feingold would learn well under President Gore's tutelage, and Gore would benefit from Russ's charisma and 'everyday guy' personality.

Give Russ a term or two as VEEP to grow into the 'international statesman' role that will make him a natural for the nod in 2016, and would also let him flourish domestically gaining name/face/policy recognition outside of the Midwest and Democratic circles.



:hippie:

[Pirate Smile]

3. Ha. Look at this comment. I see we have a Faux watcher.

"You've got to be kidding. I am admittedly a republican (though moderate). But there has to be a better choice! Leiberman maybe?

Gore is unhinged! I'll credit you with the idea that this article was written before Gore gave his speech in Saudi Arabia. "

Of course, Lieberman.
:eyes: