The Gore scenario may be real

[rodbailey]

As noted in an earlier post here, there was some serious discussion about Dem. insiders considering a way out of the current morass the Dems. seem to be getting into. That would be to turn to Gore as the unity/peace/compromise candidate, with Obama as his running mate and Hillary taking over the leadership role in the Senate. Sounds good to me. The downside is whether it "turns off" all the new folks who have come into the voting booths this primary season, primarily in support of Obama. The hypothetical I like to pose is this: if Obama was about to lose out to Hillary through her machinations of the rules/super delegates or however, and win the nomination when he has amassed the most pledged delegates, states, etc, would he rather see that happen, or sign on with Gore as VP and look to a run of his own in 4 or 8 years. Seems to me, if presented to his supporters in that light (assuming it looked like that was the way things were turning out) then I think most of his supporters would follow him and be satisfied with Gore at the top of the ticket. And, that ticket would be a major winner - no doubt about it. If it looks like Obama has a lock on the nomination and Hillary can't wrench it from his "cold, dead hands" then nothing with Gore makes any sense; although I still think Gore would have a much easier time winning in Nov. and make a better president.

If you want to see further discussion of the kinds of activity some of us Goreniacs are involved in, slide on over the the DU/Gore thread. There has been a lot of activity there among a small number of people (very intelligent activity, however, I must humbly add). See what's going on and how you can help.

[monmouth]

1. Gore has let it be known he no longer has a love for politics. This

was stated in the last issue of AARP I received when he was interviewed. I'd like to see him as VP to Barack. If what you propose comes to fruition, many of us, me included will leave the democratic party...

[rodbailey]

7. Actually,

I think what he was referring to in that and other interviews last fall is that he doesn't like the was politics is being played these days, especially the very long primary process - especially one that started with Snow White and the 7 dwarfs. But he has said on more than one occasion that he could see himself getting back into politics at some point in the future, and it would only be at the presidential level.

[Andrea]

8. I'd refer you specifically to his interview with CNN when he was in Oslo

Here is the link to the transcript:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0712/10/sitroom.03.html

Here is the pertinent quote:
"I haven't ruled out the idea of getting back into the political process at some point in the future. I don't expect to. But if I did get back, it would be as a candidate for president, not in any other position."

[goclark]

2. As much as I love Obama I would vote in November

if it could be a Gore/Obama ticket and save the Democratic Party.

But know that I would rather it be Obama/Boxer if Gore says no.

[gcomeau]

3. You think turning off the "new people" is the concern?

How about turning off half the electorate by telling them they just wasted an entire primary campaign and the hundreds of millions of dollars that were spent conducting it so you could nominate the guy who didn't even run? You think Michigan and Florida voters "not counting" is causing an issue, throw out the votes of all 50 states and think about what happens then.

For God's sake people, it doesn't matter how appealing a candidate he would have been if he had run, he didn't. This will not happen. No hypothetical argument in favor of how great you think it would be will override the fact that he isn't in the running.

[Andrea]

10. I think you misunderstand

What this is about is this:

We have two frontrunners who are battling each other to near death. We have McCain leading both of them in the polls. We have the possibility (in my opinion, the probability) that this will get worse between now and the convention. Neither Obama nor Clinton has enough delegates to win the nomination without the super delegates. Nor can either of them get enough delegates.

Either or both of them has the option of throwing their delegates behind a unity or peace or compromise candidate. Gore is the obvious choice. If they get to Denver with no way of winning, and a deal is offered that they agree with, it is perfectly reasonable for them to go along with the deal. This is well within party rules. If Obama is offered the VP slot and Clinton is offered Supreme Court Justice or majority leader, this is a win-win-win (the three wins representing Obama, Clinton and the country).

It may or may not happen, but it could happen. It has happened in the past and is within the party rules.

[Alhena]

4. Got a link?

Not sure what thread you are talking about.

Speaking for this Obama fan only, I would not support Gore if I thought 2008 was Obama's year. But too much seems to be working against Obama this year and you only get one shot at a general election these days. I'm thinking now that VP to Gore might be Obama's best bet.

[Andrea]

11. Honestly, I think you are right

Four or eight years as Gore's VP could only make him stronger when it is his time.

Rod's referring to the Al Gore '08 forum here at DU. To get to this forum, click Lobby on the top of any page. Scroll down to the section that is called DU Groups. It's the first listing in the left column under the heading Democrats.

Rod is also referring to this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5176471

[Recursion]

20. Disagree. His electoral strength is that he's been in Washington for 3 years

Take that away and the logic behind his candidacy is nowhere near as strong.

Personally, I wish we'd revisit the term limits idea. Get new blood in there every few years and remind people that "politician" isn't an actual career. I wonder how many Senators might have voted against the IWR if they didn't have a lifetime in politics to think about?

[TheDoorbellRang]

5. I was as devout a Gore supporter as many here were

But I would NOT want to see him step in to the presidency slot at Obama's expense, while offering Obama the VP. To me, that would be tantamount to saying Obama isn't ready for primetime yet, by virtue of...what reason would that be again?

I think Gore loves this country and earth enough that if he really wants to see the Dems win this fall and be able to start the necessary changes, HE could be Obama's VP. We need Obama in the leadership slot for inspiration, and both of them working together as the policy wonks they are would be an unstoppable combo.

We need to keep in mind that whenever a nominee is picked after a bloody, brokered convention battle, that nominee has gone on to lose the presidency. This thing needs to be resolved by the latest at the end of the primaries in June.

[Bullet1987]

6. Whatever happens...I think this is the last we've seen of this current system

It's shit.

[joshcryer]

9. Highly unlikely. The current system maintains the status quo.

It won't be changed.

[AllentownJake]

14. Its why

The GOP has winner take all primaries. It prevents a potracted race in the primary.

We all need to remember that the only reason we won in 1992 was because Ross Perot was running and taking away from Bush votes. Without Perot, Bill Clinton never happens. Without the Nixon pardon Carter never happens.

We need to reform the system after this happens so this doesn't go into June again and we don't spend all this time tearing each other down.

[Andrea]

13. 100% agreement

We really need to change this primary system. Some of the main problems in my opinion:

Open primaries - we shouldn't let Republicans manipulate our nominations.

Caucuses - what about people who can't get to the caucus when it is held due to work schedules or other responsibilities? What about disabled people that can't get out at all? Only a very small percentage of registered voters participate in caucuses - I think I heard 6%. We need primaries in all states, with the availability of absentee voting.

Timing - how can we give so much power to Iowa and NH. No offense to folks from those states, but they are small and not representative. I read about a good plan called the Deleware plan. this was in The Nation some time in January. Basically, the plann has the states divided into approximate fourths. The smallest 1/4 of states vote first in March, the next smallest fourth in April, next in May, largest group in June. this allows candidates that aren't well financed to pick up attention and funding before the big states come into play. It lets Iowa and NH stay at the front of the pack, but balances them with other small states (like NM) that have different demographics.

[Tennessee Gal]

12. I have supported Gore for years and years.

I highly doubt he would have any interest in this at this point in his life.

[Pastiche423]

15. If he din't have any interest in this at this point in his life

then why hasn't he given a Shermanesque statement saying so? He has not said, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for President.

Gore/Obama '08!

[rosesaylavee]

16. I don't think any of us have an idea what this summer may bring.

It may become obvious by June that serious damage has been done to our existing candidates and if the Party leaders are attempting to figure out how to win the GE and the WH with the least amount of blood shed, bully for them.

I certainly won't count Obama out yet. But I don't trust that Clinton is understanding the depth of damage she is doing to the Party and ultimately to herself these past few weeks. Her actions are bringing us to this pass. A brokered convention is a very chancy thing... and as TheDoorBellRang stated upthread, we have yet to have a good outcome from any we have had in the past. Not that this wouldn't have a good outcome... we just haven't had a successful one to date.

I would support a Gore/Obama ticket... but not at the expense of losing vast numbers of DEMs. HOWEVER, we don't know what the landscape will look like in August. It just may be that the majority of DEMs would be grateful for such a ticket.

I am grateful that consideration is being given to all contingencies now rather than later, at the last minute.

[LisaL]

17. It will be a real scenario when pigs fly.

[Schema Thing]

18. please don't masturbate in public. t/y

[Andrea]

19. Are you always this distasteful? n/t