Gore Endorsement - Potent but, not Foolproof.

[illinoisprogressive]

Former vice president Al Gore's pronouncement that he is likely to endorse one of the Democratic candidates for president before the primary season is over has set off a slew of speculation about who his choice might be.

Truth is, the courting of the "Goreacle" began many months ago. Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Gore huddled in Nashville in December, and Gore has also met with former senator John Edwards (N.C.). Gore and Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (Conn.) conferred as recently as last week.
Not surprisingly, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) has not met with Gore. Neither has Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.) nor New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

The falling out between Gore and the Clintons has become the stuff of political legend. Then-Vice President Gore's decision to distance himself from Bill Clinton in the 2000 presidential campaign did not sit well with the Clintons, who resented that Gore was willing to accept credit for the administration's achievements while at the same time criticizing the president's personal conduct.

It seems safe to predict that Gore will not be endorsing the bid of the senator from New York. A more open question might be whether he would throw his support to Obama -- the only candidate in the top-tier who, like Gore, opposed the war in Iraq from the start -- or another surging contender at a critical moment to try to derail Hillary Clinton's quest for the nomination.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/08/AR2007090801458.html

[rateyes]

1. I'm still hoping he endorses himself. nt

[msongs]

2. yes he would be the giant in a field of not-giants nt

[sweetladybug]

4. I hope to God that Al Gore endorses himself

Gore 2008!!!!!!!!

[Robson]

6. Agreed

I see Gore as somewhat unbeatable. There is baggage with Obama and especially Hillary. Edwards I still like as well as Kucinich.

[Hieronymus]

19. I agree with you .. Edwards can win.

[illinoisprogressive]

3. At a bbq for Barack today, a few of us thought Gore/Obama would be powerful.

we also agreed that Obama and Edwards, flip a coin on the order, would be great as well. they just look like they would be fantastic together. And with their progressive ideas and caring for the people....

[Rydz777]

5. I am endorsing Gore for the nomination. nt

[catgirl]

7. My thoughts

First, did Obama really OPPOSE the war from the beginning, or
is it that he couldn't vote on it? Really curious.

Secondly, I am working to draft Gore. When out last week in Harvard
Square, we met some Obama volunteers (in t-shirts with clipboards)
and thay were excited about a Gore run. Same with Kucunich supporters,
Edwards supporters....If Gore jumps in, he will win.

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. I believe (though I have no link) that Obama did make a speech

in the Illinois senate decrying the rush to war.

[hedda_foil]

11. Yes he really OPPOSED the war from the beginning.

He was loud and clear about it in the state Senate and in campaign speeches. And that wasn't the politically "smart" place to be at the time according to the Dem insiders.

[catgirl]

12. But when was he against it?

Before, during or after the vote on the war? And do you
have any links showing this?

[Ethelk2044]

17. He stated it would be a mistake for them to go to war.

[catgirl]

20. Is there a link?

[maximusveritas]

22. Here's his speech from a 10/2/02 anti-war rally. The vote was on 10/11/02

http://www.barackobama.com/2002/10/02/remarks_of_illinois_state_sen.php

[catgirl]

24. Thanks

[jobycom]

9. More Washington Post nonsense. Remember, this is the paper

that started half the false rumors about Gore when he was running in 2000, and who at best printed tiny little retractions long after the damage had been done.

The media has written about their "split" so much that it's starting to believe its own stories, but the truth is more sedate. Bill Clinton spoke a couple of times in 2000 about his support of Gore's distancing himself. Gore did it because of political reasons, not anything personal, and neither Clinton took it personally.

Keep in mind that Gore spent a lifetime in politics, from the time he was a child on his senator father's knee until 2001, when he left office. He understands the difference between what has to be said to win, and what a candidate really believes. He knows better than to buy all the garbage about Clinton. And he knows the Clintons. He campaigned with them, he served with them, he sounded just like them while in the White House. He knows the difference between politics and reality.

I don't know who he would endorse. He would see Obama as a fresh force, but inexperienced, and naive--Gore was a real wonk, and will have less patience with many of the naive beliefs Obama espouses than his supporters do. Edwards has more experience, and is southern, and populist. Gore would give him a strong look. He might be turned off by Edwards's reversal on the war, and on the strength of Edwards's support of the war before 2004. Then again, Gore has voted for wars in the past, so he may be understanding.

Gore on Clinton--Gore would like a lot about her. Her experience, the historical significance of her gender, her true positions (rather than the fantasies some around here create about her). She would run the country the most like Gore would. On the other hand, she does have weaknesses--her leadership skills are untested, and have shown weaknesses, and despite her liberal views she does compromise too often. Then again, so did JFK and FDR.

I suspect Gore's decision, as last time, will have as much to do with who would be most able to win as well as who would be best to lead the nation. He'll give stronger weight to the polls, and he'll use his endorsement to rally and unite Democrats as much as to state his position. I suspect that if the election were next month, he'd endorse Clinton now. If someone else is closer to her by the end of the year, he will consider them more strongly.

Face it, if Gore wanted to derail Clinton, as the article suggests, he would have jumped in the race himself before now. He understands the game, and knows how unlikely it is that Edwards or Obama will catch her.

Just my observations. May be completely wrong, but so are the ones in the WP article, so what the heck, here they are.

[rosesaylavee]

18. I think Gore is holding out in hope that one of the candidates

adopts his environmental plan and recognizes the crisis for what it is - A CRISIS and not just another issue paper to have on their website.

[Superman Returns]

10. If Gore doesn't run

he will endorse Obama. First, Obama opposed the war from the beginning just like Gore did. Second, Obama as of now seems to be the only one that can threaten Clinton's lead. Third, I don't think Gore wants on his historical record that he endorsed another white, male candidate when there was a credible woman and black candidate in the race. Therefore, since he's not going with Clinton, it will probably be Obama. Finally, his endorsement of Dean shows that he has a tendency to go with the insurgent, anti-establishment candidate.

[Colobo]

13. Gore should endorse Obama and organize an Oprah-Gore fundraiser for him.

[mopinko]

14. big dog denies that split.

just sayin'. i heard him tell the story that they talked it over, and both agreed that something needed to be done, acknowledging the stupid but real world of politics.
the story went that they discussed several possibilities, then bill said- "how about if you horsewhip me on the white house steps?" to which al replied without missing a beat-"shirt or no shirt?"
whatever hill might think, i think the big dog is too smart of get sucked in to something that stupid. :shrug:

[Adelante]

16. I remember reading someplace they made up over 9/11

If I have it straight, Gore was someplace in Canada and Bill Clinton called him and asked that he come to his house in Westchester, and Gore did, where they talked through whatever they each had to say. They then traveled to DC together the following day. It's a little blurry in my mind, but I'm pretty sure I have it close. I can't swear it's true but it rang true.

[janx]

15. Does anyone have a link to Gore's "pronouncement"?

The language in this article is so speculative and gossip oriented that I'd like to take a look at the source of his pronouncement...

[Imagevision]

21. I wouldn't support Gore over Hillary but not against Obama!!!

[AtomicKitten]

23. I'm not prepared for Gore to endorse anyone --

because that would close the door on his own run.

Fingers still crossed.

[Uncle Joe]

26. I second your emotion, Atomic Kitten.

I also believe we need a fingers crossed smilie.

[David Zephyr]

25. Al will endorse Obama because Edwards & Clinton voted for the IWR.

And Gore and Obama opposed the IWR.

And Al Gore's endorsement this time will have a lot more weight than it did in 2004.

[Freddie Stubbs]

27. Why no speculation of a Kucinich endorsement?

:shrug:

[Uncle Joe]

28. There is a good photo of the two, floating around here somewhere. n/t