Gore/Obama in '08? Can We Do It?

[KoKo]

Gore To The Rescue?

Posted March 6, 2008 | 06:14 PM (EST)


And he's got one thing neither Hillary nor Obama do (and I don't mean a Nobel prize): he's a Vietnam veteran with loads of direct national security experience, meaning he'll be able to credibly go toe to toe with McCain on terrorism and other big issues. And, like Obama, he opposed the Iraq War from the start, allowing him to provide a clear contrast with McCain on judgment (unlike Obama, he continued to loudly and consistently oppose the Iraq War even when it was popular).

Like Hillary, he actually favors universal health care. But unlike Hillary, he's had major success navigating legislation through Congress: he played an instrumental role in passing the 1993 economic plan, the crime bill, standing down the Republican government shutdown in 1995 and 1996, and passing much of his Reinventing Government initiative through Congress.

To be sure, Gore isn't perfect: for one, his candidacy wouldn't provide a demographic breakthrough in the presidency. But Gore has shown strength with every demographic group in the past, and has particularly strong support within the African-American community (where he actually got a higher percentage of the vote in 2000 than Bill Clinton had in 1992 or 1996, or John Kerry did in 2004). And he could easily provide a major demographic breakthrough with his vice-presidential nominee.

Finally, he's a person of integrity - and he's achieved success in almost everything he's done in life. Now could be the time for him to bring that winning record to the country.

So is it possible - and is it just? Well, so long as neither Hillary nor Obama gets a majority of pledged delegates, it's certainly possible - delegates would be free to change their choices and select whomever they want. But I also agree with MoveOn and others that it's vital that the nominee have some popular legitimacy and not just the support of insiders. But there's a way to provide that. Gore could allow his name to be entered in a handful of the Democratic primaries and caucuses whose filing deadlines haven't passed (Wyoming, North Carolina, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, and Montana). If he shows significant strength in different parts of the country despite all of Hillary and Obama's organizational muscle and momentum, he'll be able to credibly claim popular support - and be able to take his case to undecided Superdelegates. If not, just go back to planet saving (and let the rest of us focus on electing Obama or Hillary).

Of course, this is just an idea right now, and there needs to be some backing for it. You can let Al Gore know what you think here or just leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

at........

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glenn-hurowitz/gore-to-the-rescue_b_90320.html

[scheming daemons]

1. What part of "Gore DOESN'T WANT IT" don't people understand?

[washingdem]

3. I think he'd want it if it was handed to him

[Hawkowl]

19. I don't think so

I am a Gore supporter, but I really think he wants nothing to do with the presidency now or in the near future. He's just not interested. I think if the convention gets nasty, he will rally people around the front runner of the popular vote--Obama.

[all.of.me]

47. About a month ago, I read a quote of his.

It said he had 'fallen out of love with politics.' I don't remember where I saw it - I devour magazines like nobody's business - but it was a discussion about climate change and if he would seek another office.

[peoli]

32. amen

[bigtree]

2. that would be an intriguing ticket

but I wonder if Al wants to be vice-president AGAIN?

[rug]

4. Gore? The insider of the dreaded Clinton years?

[CyberPieHole]

7. OUCH!!!

:spank:

[MonkeyFunk]

5. god, this gets tiresome

No, we shouldn't nominate someone who got zero votes.

[calico1]

This is what I don't get.

So many arguments over who has the most delegates or will have the most. And yet you see these posts with people suggesting Gore, who has ZERO delegates or Edwards, who had a handful despite living in Iowa for some time before their caucuses. How is it supposed to be a great idea to hand the nomination to someone who nobody or very few people voted for? Can you imagine how that would go over with a lot of Obama or Hillary supporters?

Gore doesn't even want it. How many freaken times does he have to say it?

[MadBadger]

6. Hell Yes wouldve been my response 5 months ago. Now, no thanks.

[shraby]

8. I would think Obama has someone in mind

already. It's totally up to him to announce it when the time is right.

[TBF]

9. True Dream Ticket

Gore/Obama is the true dream ticket, but it doesn't appear that he wants it. Who could blame him after 2000? But that is why Obama needs to keep his head down and keep working towards the convention. He's got more delegates and perhaps Gore will show up at the convention? I don't think he's a big fan of Hillary and perhaps he can help Obama persuade superdelegates.

[Ileanasouza]

42. Gore shows no signs of running

For anything at this point.

[BattyDem]

10. That's my dream ticket, but ...

it won't happen. :-(

[Avalux]

11. So somehow, both Obama and Clinton are denied the nomination for Gore?

I wonder how all the people who have worked tirelessly supporting their candidates and all those who have voted would feel about that.

I love Al Gore, but this scenario is ridiculous.

[AtomicKitten]

12. Gore/Obama was always MY dream ticket.

It's interesting to see those that have, um, spent so much effort running down Obama now suggest him as a VP for Gore. Funny how our ideas of what is unacceptable become conveniently acceptable.

But, alas, Gore has moved on to an ethereal plane of global work and has been very clear that is where he wishes to remain. He remains the very best of men.

[KoKo]

14. Check out this other post at HuffPo...about Gore ..."Al de Gore"

If Gore/Obama is your dream ticket. Check out the credentials of the two different posters who are putting out the "feelers" for Gore at their Bio's. It's interesting... Don't think those two posters would be putting this out there if they didn't have a sense that Gore "might" go for it.

Here's link to Al de Gore...if you're interested...it's a good read.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-abrams/al-de-gore_b_90064.html?view=print


a snip....

Al de Gore ?

by Paul Abrams

<[>Faced with intractable opposition to his plans for political reform, Charles de Gaulle retired in 1953 to his Colombey estate, wrote his wartime memoirs, maintained his contacts and awaited the crisis he knew would occur because of the inherent weakness of the Fourth Republic.


In 1958 it happened. Charles de Gaulle held a press conference to let the country know he was "at its disposal" and, just 10 days later, his offer was accepted. He won an election, extricated the country from its Algerian morass, forged the beginnings of a united Europe, righted a declining economy and won a referendum on a new Constitution establishing the Fifth Republic that survives to this day.

After a wretched "loss" in 2000 (consider how many different small matters had to go wrong -- the butterfly ballot, the purging of voting rolls and intimidation of black voters, the presence of Ralph Nader on the ballot, a Supreme Court committing the ultimate right wing activism, a decision specifically stating it was not to be precedent, and so on), Al Gore similarly left politics while maintaining his contacts. He wrote two books, won an Emmy Award, the Nobel Peace Prize, and produced an Oscar-winning film from a serious slide show on global warming.

Like Barack Obama, Gore was right about the Iraq War from the start. Although he patriotically kept silent for awhile about Bush being asleep-at-the-switch prior to 9/11 so the country could rally, he eventually called him out about that first instance of gross negligence and incompetence. When he was Vice President, with a broad national security portfolio (unlike Hillary, he actually HAD security clearance!), they caught the millennium terrorist who planned to blow up the LA Airport.

While many urged, pleaded, cajoled and even begged him to enter the 2008 Presidential primary race, he maintained that he was not "good at that stuff" (although none of the events that denied him his rightful victory were of his doing), and decided against it.

As the country blunders to the close of its most disastrous presidency ever, the stars should be aligning not just for a Democratic 2008 election victory, but, more importantly, to usher in another progressive age as the empty rhetoric, false idolatry, cowardly aggression and phony piety that was the culmination of all the right wing dreamed for this country came crashing down on all our heads.

And yet, the stars seem to misalign again. Out of a talented crowded field, two appealing, enormously well-funded candidates have emerged to lead that new progressive era. The electorate appears to be divided 50.1- 49.9, and the anomalies of superdelegates and unseated delegations jumble even that calculation. Regrettably -- that is, to the wide electorate who desperately wants only to turn the page -- neither is likely to desist.

The Clintons scored their comeback by launching a scorched earth strategy, specifically aligning themselves with McCain over Obama. While Obama will probably show his superior character, his inevitable counterattacks -- and, key questions that now must be raised by reporters and superdelegates on her taxes and White House records and Marc Rich, etc. -- are not likely to boost her chances in the fall election either.

The Democratic electorate is split. While 50.1% and 49.9% of the delegates and electorate will find it difficult for their candidate to retire in favor of the other, would it not be true that ~85% or more would enthusiastically embrace Al Gore?

more at link....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-abrams/al-de-gore_b_90064.html?view=print

[monmouth]

13. "I no longer have a love for politics" were the last words I read from

Al Gore in the Jan. or Feb. issue of AARP. I think it was January. He's moved on, he has important work on his agenda and has left the political world behind. Who could blame him??

[bowens43]

15. The Gore for president posts are ridiculous.

Here's a clue. He doesn't want it. He didn't run. It's too late.

[KoKo]

16. I thought so too...but there are two of them over at Huff Po...posted

by folks who might have an inside track with Gore...according to their bio's. So...who knows?

[flor de jasmim]

17. What part of Obama's not running for VP didn't you get!? (said in an exasperated voice)

There was a time when I would have liked to see Gore in the race, but after Obama has done the "grunt" work of getting out the vote, inspiring young and old, etc. etc., you suggest he be in second place after someone else who hasn't even been in the race?

[Growler]

18. Gore? No way.

Regardless what you think about Clinton or Obama, they've both been out there working hard and trying to motivate people. Gore hasn't done a thing this election cycle to warrant being offered the nomination on a platter.

[rodbailey]

20. I've posted the following at the Gore site on DU

So, I thought I'd put it here also, since there seem to be a lot of folks moving in the same direction.



I'm back with a possible new strategy (developed with some on-line folks at Democratic Underground) for getting Gore's name into the mix for the Democratic nomination. I know, you may think it's way too late for that; but, the way things are going between Hillary and Barack there will soon be blood on the floor and the convention in August will be deadlocked with neither candidate having the requisite number of delegates to get the nomination. This scenario has been envisioned by a number of people, even some notable political pundits (http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008... ) have imagined the scenario where Gore is the compromise candidate that a lot of Democrats look to to bring some order out of the possible chaos at the convention.

To that end, we are starting a letter writing campaign to Howard Dean, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and former Pres. Jimmy Carter urging them to turn to Gore if the convention is deadlocked and/or there are such bad feelings by the end of the primary process that a healer is needed for the party's sake and to make sure we can win in November. I am strongly suggesting that if you write such letters they be real letters, NOT E-MAILS. All these folks get way too many e-mails every day to pay any attention to something like this. If you want to do this, and in case you need some "talking points" to get you started, here are a few things I think I will mention in my letters to these folks: continuing damage to the party as this race gets nastier and nastier; the need for someone who really does have foreign policy experience; a strong environmental issues candidate; a person who has proven he can win the national popular vote; someone known and respected by world leaders both then and now.

I imagine each of you will have your own ideas of things to say. If you want to add to my list, feel free to send those ideas back to me and I'll send them along to others as I continue to send notes like this to lots of contacts I have from the earlier work on trying to get Gore on the ballot in NY. I think what I will do is try to follow up these "snail-mail" letters with an e-mail in a week or so (if you want to do that, the e-mail contact information for them is pretty easy to find) to remind them that we are serious about this. The ideal, as far as I'm concerned, would be a Gore/Obama ticket. I think that would sweep the election in November and position Obama for Pres. in 2012 or 2016. We could be looking at at least a 16 year reign for a Democrat in the White House.

Here are the critical addresses: Howard Dean, DNC, 430 S. Capitol St., SE, Washington, DC 20003; Rep. Nancy Pelosi, 235 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC 20515; and Pres. Jimmy Carter, The Carter Center, One Copenhill, 453 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30307. Both Howard Dean and Rep. Pelosi have been involved in trying to figure out ways to resolve a deadlock, if there is one, and both are, at this point, uncommitted to either candidate. They both have met with Gore and others to discuss how to resolve a deadlock within the past couple of weeks. Former Pres. Carter has urged Gore numerous times to get into the race and, I suspect, may have also been involved in some discussions about how to resolve a deadlocked convention. All these folks are super delegates.

I'd be interested in any response you may have to this strategy. I will be contacting lots of other former Gore supporters in this state and contacts I have in other states (not that many) as we pursue this strategy. If you feel as I do that Gore would be the ideal candidate this fall I would encourage you to send this note (or your own) to as many like-minded friends as you can. We would like to spread this idea as far and wide as possible. In advance, I'll thank you for any effort you might put into this.

Rod Bailey

[KoKo]

21. Thanks....I haven't checked out the Al Gore Forum here in awhile...cause I'd given up

but the two articles on Huff Po by very respected people who may have an "inside with Gore" as to his reception to an effort made me think again.

I appreciate your effort. I'm in NC and I know there was a Gore Supporter in Ashville who was working hard to get him on ballots across the country before he asked the effort to be called off. Since NC is still open for getting a candidate on the ballot maybe an effort could be restarted ...or maybe it's better just to let it come up at the Convention. There would be so much anger with him on the ballot from the Hillary and Obama camps..understandably to have him put out there at the last minute it would start a war.

I think your efforts about hand written notes to Party Leaders sounds good. Will do what I can.

Thanks for posting...

[David Zephyr]

22. Not going to happen. Gore would never participate in stealing the nomination from the one who won it

Barack has already won the nomination.

There are not enough popular votes left for Hillary to overcome his 600,000 vote lead.

There are not enough state contests for Hillary to win the majority of them --- even if she won every single contest that is to come.

There are not enough pledged delegates left for her to overcome his pledged (actually won) delegates unless she wins nearly 70% of every contest remaining.

Obama is the victor. Al Gore will not only never contemplate participating in robbing Obama of his victory, but I expect that soon we will see him and President Carter weighing in on behalf of him.

Hillary's supporters are bleeding away from her everyday now because even her most loyal can count.

Obama's response today to the Clintons' VP talk was almost the final stake in the heart of her campaign.

[rodbailey]

23. I agree with you if Obama is really going to get it; but

the super delegates are/may be the key. Obama could go to the convention with a 100-150 delegate lead in pledged delegates. The Clintons could wheedle/threaten (who knows what) to move super delegates their/her way. Given a scenario where Obama might lose to Hillary that way, don't you think he (and his supporters) would rather accept a VP slot with Gore (who would love to stomp on Hillary, I suspect) than lose to Hillary and the super delegates. I'm sure there would be some bruised egos with Gore coming in like that at the last moment (so to speak) but maybe better to have half a loaf (with the real possibility of going for Pres. in 2012 or 2016) than no loaf at all. Basically, I guess we're also trying to make sure the super delegates don't throw this thing to Hillary if Barack has the most pledged delegates/states/popular vote.

[KoKo]

24. Kick...because if HuffPost is posting these two Dems wanting Gore...we need to "listen up!"

Whether it comes to pass or not...there's some "Gore Folks" coming in to PUSH AGAIN. Since I don't like either of our "final appointed choices" of course, I'm anxious to hear their voices.

So...Whatever happens...happens in this YEAR OF CHANGE! :shrug:

[LWolf]

25. I prefer any of these:

Gore/Edwards
Gore/Boxer
Gore/Feingold
Gore/Sanders
Gore/Kerry

etc..

[KoKo]

30. I can't disagree with any of your choices...

:D

[Medusa]

26. Could we get a ban on "Gore" threads?

I'm sick of reading them. He is NOT going to run. He does not WANT it.

[Swamp Rat]

27. NeoGore is the One

:D

[KoKo]

28. yep....maybe the dream is getting closer to some kind of reality...

past the "wisful thinking." NEO-GORE...HE IS THE ONE!

[KoKo]

29. Why don't use just hit the "Ignore Button." before you call for a "ban."

Why do you read and post on these threads if they are so offensive to you? :shrug:

[Andrea]

39. Here's a suggestion:

If you are sick of reading them, don't read them.

That seems better to me than the censorship you are requesting. Just a thought. We are Democrats and all. Supposed to be against censorship, in favor of free speech and so forth...

[LWolf]

44. True.

If those in the current running could unite the party, his name probably wouldn't keep cropping up. If I have to keep reading posts about Clinton and Obama ad nauseum, when they've NEVER been on my table, a few Gore posts shouldn't be hard for you to ignore.

I'm holding out for a brokered convention which might provide a better candidate. I get to do that, when the choices on the ballot are so unpalatable. Gore's name pops up because he's the man most likely to unify the fractured party in time for November.

[rosesaylavee]

46. Only if we get a ban on those who post they

don't want any more gore threads when they could simply move along to a thread they have interest in. ESPECIALLY when they state they are "sick of reading them." That being the case and there are literally thousands of other threads on hundreds of other forums, why don't you go elsewhere to share your negativity?

[WinkyDink]

31. Obama isn't fighting to get GORE in the top spot!

[sanjiadem]

33. While Gore or Edwards are much higher on my list than either O or H,

I think at this point we just have to let one of them (probably O) have their four or eight years and hope for the best. Either momentum/$$s or party maneuvering (in spite of a horribly run campaign) are going to deliver the nominee to us and we just have to grin and bear it.

Hopefully, things will work out. But, in all honesty, I'm not feeling real good about either one at this point, either. But, I have a lot of local political/policy/np stuff to focus on and except for DUing am sitting out of the national stuff, for now.

[KoKo]

34. The "Local Races" are the FOUNDATION...and probably more important than the rest...

but still it helps to have a Good President in Charge...who get's it.

But, given that many of us aren't enthused with either of the "Top Two" then the bottom ticket is MOST IMPORTANT for the FUTURE!

Thanks for posting that! :thumbsup:

[sanjiadem]

36. I live in a Red district that went Dem for the first time since I've lived here ....

and, not just as a tactic. They started 'turning' in 2004 and with the crap they've seen, (esp. realizations about Iraq/Bush Admin/billions lost to fraud, greed, and mismanagement as well as the strains placed on local and regional gov'ts, their own families, friends, and neighbors, etc.) they're starting to 'get it'. IMO, most were raised by avg MC blue collar Dems who are just realizing now that it was the Dems policies that allowed them to do better than their parents (become UMC white collar), but lost their way (aka bought the crap fed them by the Republicans) and are now returning as they are worried they might not be able to do the same for their children - thanks to the Republicans they now feel betrayed by. (I hope that makes sense)

In any event, I'll seize this opportunity and try to do what I can here on the home front.

[RestoreGore]

35. Good God does it ever stop?

He just invested 35 million into a hedge fund and his tv station IPO is going public. He is involved in dealing with the one sector that business leaders even say has to come to the forefront to address and help solve the climate crisis...The private sector. Why the hell should he EVER want to enter this toxic system again? Can't these writers find anything productive to write about? Like say, supporting his organizations and efforts?

[Strawman]

37. Um no thanks. I'll take democracy over a well-intentioned coup

However messy and ugly democracy looks around here these days.

[elixir]

38. Although I think Al Gore would be a terrific candidate I think this is highly unlikely.

[annie1]

40. I'd vote for that.

[quantass]

41. Why would Gore want to be Obama's bitch...he was one for 8 years.

[SoCalDem]

43. No.. Gore's not interested

He's got world prestige that he would not want tarnished by the rough & tumble..

[Jersey Devil]

45. I love Al Gore but knock it off

He isn't interested.