Why I hope Al Gore Does not run.

[Perky]

Al Gore is a fine man and I have no tension with his politics. He has very right to seek the nomination... Having said that He shouldn't.

Look at the moment and due respect given to those who are inclined to support (Gravel, Kucinich, Biden and Dodd) This is presently a three-person race with Bill Richardson being sandwiched between the two tiers.

The problem even with the current troika is that the gross compaction of the primary process means everyone is going to stay on the ballot through Tsunami Tuesday (25 primaries on 2/5) and at present it is doubtful that anyone is going to have super momentum going into that primary day. The problem is that it is more than likely that no one is going to emerge as presumptive after 2/5 but there will not be enough delegates left to secure the nomination prior to the nomination.

Brokered Convention.


If all Gore gets in it will only fracture the democratic electorate that much more and each state through 2/5 will split 25/20/20/15/ among the top four.

It will certainly be a brokered convention if Gore gets in.

This will only serve to fragment and harden the base and fragment fund-raising through spring and summer while we wait for the late August convention. It will be ugly it will be bitter and will hurt us tremendously going into the fall no matter who we wind up with as the nominee.

Three major candidates is bad enough. A fourth could be devastating whether it is AL Gore or someone else.

Nothing against Al Gore... But I believe his opting-in would hurt the party tremendously.

[maxsolomon]

1. Al Gore could save this country from itself

I sincerely doubt that Clinton/Obama/Edwards would do so.

[Perky]

4. That may well be

when it comes to the selecting a nominee Al Gore is only going divide the party yet another way. It is very doubful that he would emerge as the preumptive nominee given that local operatives in Iowa and New Hampshire have already chosen up sides.

And you have to know that HRC folks would go after him with fangs out because she stands to lose the most.

[MagickMuffin]

22. Wow, you already know that Iowa and NH have already chosen up sides

What are you using as your divining tools; Crazy 8 Ball, water, Ouija board, tarot cards?!?!?!?

I haven't even begun to pick a candidate until next year, unless Al decides in the fall...

[Perky]

46. Thde political savvy and informed (the organizers who run the politics in those states)

Have chosen up sides and were heavily courted. All the way down to the preinct level. That is how retail politics is managed. Committed individual would have to leave the person they are working for and there is no assureance they could bring their "team" with them. I have worked campaigns in both states and am very familiar with their bysantine and machiaviellian ways. A Gore candidacy woul snag some people but most precinct capos would really be hurt policitcally if they abandoned their strong candidate at this point.

[Totally Committed]

48. The perfect answer!

"Al Gore could save this country from itself" -- Thank you!

TC

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

2. Are You Kidding Me??

If Al Gore were to run, he would be the candidate to beat.

His candidacy would effectively kill any chances Edwards had, and would also put a dent in Obama & Clinton's support.

He would become the main challenger to what otherwise would likely be Clinton's "taking" of the nomination, as the MSM has already annointed her their darling candidate.

It would be Al Gore's nomination to lose. He would win the major primaries, and I can't see how he could lose in big delegate states like California & New York.

A brokered convention is more likely Without President Gore in the race. If he enters, he will win the nomination going away, and would be the strongest candidate the Democrats could hope to have for the G.E.

[madokie]

3. fracture, try solidify

solidify our party is what big Al would do.

[thereismore]

34. Exactly! nt

[rubberducky]

5. Sorry to disagree, but I believe only Gore can save this nation.

I wil stuff envelopes, work phone banks, plaster my car with Gore stickers, plant Gore signs all over my city. I will work my fingers to the bone for him because I truely believe in this man. I know that we all have our preferences, but this is just the way I feel. For whatever it is worth, I will always vote for a dem, but Gore has my loyalty.

[kimmerspixelated]

31. My thoughts exactly!

[lse7581011]

37. Wish I Could Recommend Your Post! n/t

[Liberal In Texas]

67. I'm with you Rubberducky. I think the OP is totally wrong. n/t

[MissWaverly]

6. None of the current pack has more that 40%

we still don't have a candidate that can capture 1/2 of the dems, let alone the independents and republicans.

[karynnj]

12. This is pre-primary - it is extremely rare in an open primary

to have more than 50%. Look at how easily Kerry won - yet he had 38% in Iowa and 45% in NH. Bot put him considerably ahead of the next person.

[MissWaverly]

53. well, let's hope we do better this time around

[Perky]

14. RIght and Al Gore does not have 40% either

And to get to 30% he would have to cut deeply into all three first tier support. cutting their support in hals and I just don't think the support is that soft.

[MissWaverly]

51. Gore has not announced, once he does he will be prime

candidate, I think he is the only one to appeal to dems, independents and Republicans

[Perky]

54. Republicans? More than Obama? Really?

[MissWaverly]

55. he's got experience, he was vp for 8 years

he is internationally respected for his stand on global warming, I like Obama, but I don't think he has enough experience yet,
good choice for VP.

[rosesaylavee]

63. I live in a red county in Illinois and I have

talked with more than a few publicans who would vote for Al. And everyone here loves Obama - as do I.

[MissWaverly]

69. me too

I think Obama is an intelligent, articulate man. I think he would make a good vp first; and it would give him experience in
international relations that he lacks.

[Vincardog]

7. I believe his opting-in would HELP the party tremendously

He would unify the party around the rightful President.

[kwolf68]

8. I don't agree...

Dems I speak with in Northern Va are at best luke-warm about any of our major contenders and most of them show real excitement of a Gore run, to include me.

The only way we win is due to sheer incompetence of the Republican lot. No doubt they have a collection of misfits and boobs over there. I was most worried about a serious Hagel run, but the jesters are the only ones that are vying for the Repuke's nom.

That being said, our candidates...Obama, Hillary, Edwards are nice candidates. Obama is a brilliant, interesting man. Hillary is a shrewd intelligent women and Edwards has the personal warmth in his words.

However, none inspire me. Al Gore does because I believe he really gets it. I believe he would be a great great President, someone most needed to clean up Chimpy's shit. Gore is the one who can do it...and if you would give me an

Al Gore/Wes Clark ticket, I'd just shit myself...Clark could fix the foreign policy fukups and Gore could start putting our domestic lot back in order. Gore/anyone is still pretty strong. Maybe I like Gore, the 'non politician' better than what Gore 'the politico' would be, but that's a chance I'd take.

With Russ Feingold out, Al Gore is the best currently possible and until it's official he is out of this thing I hold hope that I'll be slapping a "Gore 08" sticker on my car at some point.

[Horse with no Name]

30. I was talking to our Pediatrician

about politics (He's a Godless liberal too).
I asked him who he was supporting...he was wishy washy and hemhawing...finally said he might support Obama.
He asked who I was supporting and I told him I was holding out for Gore. His eyes lit up and said without missing a beat that he would vote for Gore in a heartbeat.
I refuse to listen to the naysayers with agendas who disparage Gore.
Gore is a man that almost everyone can support. And it scares the SHIT out of the Republicans as well as Democrats who fully support other candidates.
Every day there is always another "Gore can't run because"...

[LSK]

9. Gore would suck a lot of resources from Obama and Edwards

And a lot of people have not committed to a candidate yet as we wait and see what Gore does.

Historically the campaign is still very early, remember Bill Clinton did not announce until Oct 1991.

I suggest you read his book Assault on Reason if you have not yet. Also let me remind you that his movie an Inconve nient Truth has made him into somewhat of a movie star and has put the Climate Crisis in the mainstream.

[Perky]

16. Tis election cycle can not be compared with previous election cycles.

Hillary and Obam will have $50M each and Edwards will have $35M. That is a huge fundrainsing delta to contend with.

[Uncle Joe]

20. I don't believe money will be an issue if Al decides to run. n/t

[LSK]

23. yes and meanwhile they are spending that right now too

Gore is running a smart campaign right now. Anyone who reads his book would almost certainly support him as President. His ideas are getting as much press and publicity as anyones in the campaign and he is actually making money, not spending it.

Gore as a former VP and former candidate would be able to rival any fundraising that Hillary or Obama are able to do right now.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Gore will blow the others out of the water

He doesn't have the baggage they do either, namely a vote FOR the damn war.

[Perky]

17. Ummm Neither Obama or Richardson or Kucinich voted for the war.

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. What about the supplemental?

How did Obama vote on it?

[TwilightGardener]

27. Obama voted against funding.

[proud2BlibKansan]

40. Good

[Buck Rabbit]

28. He voted against it.

Sorry I am for a Gore run too, but Obama has the cleanest hands of the current big three on Iraq.

[JAYJDF]

11. We know Gore is a winner. He's already won once.

With more of the country pissed off at the repuks, they dare not try and steal the election from Gore a second time.

I think the other candidates know this and will start bowing out once Gore announces.

[Perky]

15. You think Hillary, Obama or Edwards will Opt-out if Gore Opts-in?????

Wow.... That is all I can say is Wow.

[sendero]

19. I don't think anyone will bow out..

... but it won't matter. Gore will win the nomination in a cakewalk.

[redqueen]

29. exactly... war chest or no, the public will go for him n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

21. Agreed. I think minus rigged machines he could win

[Pastiche423]

13. I agree w/everyone on this thread thus far

but the OP.

[BlooInBloo]

24. What you said.

[Canuckistanian]

65. Have to agree as well

Gore is the 800lb. gorilla in this race. IF he ever decides.

[WinkyDink]

25. Balderdash! Poppycock! Gore is The Once and Future President.

Those other candidates, whatever "tier" they may be in, would be imediately relegated to "NO TIER", were Al to declare.

[redqueen]

26. your analysis is flawed. gore would trounce the others.

there would be no contest.

i hope he runs. pro-corporate or not, he gives me hope. and i'm fucking well short of that lately.

[Perky]

42. what's the basis?

Do you think everyone's support is very soft?

[redqueen]

44. yes i do... i don't just think so, either

look at the polls. throwing gore into the mix never fails to change the picture *significantly*

we'll see in the fall, i think. (i hope)

[melody]

32. I wondered when the Al Gore deniers would start popping up

I'm sorry, but you guys are getting as regular as my dog barking at suppertime.

If you want to promote your candidate (assuming you're not actually trolls from
the right or something), why not just openly espouse him instead of running Al into
the ground, no matter how gently, or trying to suggest he "really shouldn't run".

Al is the ONLY Democrat who will win. Hillary Clinton has little chance ... Obama
has next to none also. I've already had two gay friends tell me they'd vote for Rudy
over Hillary.

Do you REALLY want another eight years of these madmen? That's what we're talking about
here ... not some higher, idealistic hope but sheer sanity over madness.

[Nihil]

59. DU is great ...

... I disagree with people (e.g., Melody) on several different issues but then they
post something like this that makes me want to go :woohoo:

Let's see ...

Hillary? Pilloried by the Right for being a Clinton, pilloried by the Left for
being a self-centred bitch who pays more attention to the latest poll than to
maintaining a degree of honest consistency. Both are correct.

Obama? Token non-white person. Yep, that's going to get the votes.

The learned Mr.Edwards? A lawyer and a hypocritical (oxymoronic?) loser?
Wish you could vote for his wife ... at least she's reliable.

Al Gore? Someone who apparently failed on their first attempt but has become
aware of the biggest problems on the planet (and no, that doesn't include
Paris's hairstyle). Somewhat leaves the others behind in the reality stakes.

Melody said "Al Gore is the ONLY Democrat who will win" ... I'd modify that
and say "Al Gore is the ONLY Democrat who will win if it comes down to ability
rather than bribery".

Good luck people ... you're going to need it if you're going to climb out
of the d-e-e-p hole that Georgie-boy has dug for you ... and you're going to
need a LEADER not a figurehead to do it.

[melody]

62. Oh, puhlease

Nihil, my background is in anthropology. We are in a dangerous confrontation with extreme
sociopathic personalities who very much want to turn this into Nazi America. When you are
confronting Alphas, you have to have an Alpha. When you have an Alpha, the most likely one
to win is an Alpha male.

I'm a part Cherokee female. I'd love to see a minority for whom I can vote be elected. But
(1) I'm not voting for someone because of their gender/race, and 2) I know we HAVE to win or
we're all dead.

Silly board posturing is pointless, that is the situation we are in. It won't matter who we
voted for, if we don't win.

[TwilightGardener]

33. Here's the scenario--Al wins the primary.

Then the media shreds Al, makes a daily mockery of him, reminds everybody of all the negative stuff about him that was pounded into America's consciousness in 2000, promotes the "R" candidate as "strong", "manly", and "beer-worthy", calls Al a retread, examines his every move and every aspect of his life for environmental correctness, finds inconsistencies, starts calling him a hypocrite, and then Al loses--again. (And no, don't tell me he really "won"--I'm not interested in technicalities). That's how I see it playing out. Sometimes you can't go home again. Sometimes you really shouldn't.

[Benhurst]

39. It didn't work in 2000 and it certainly wouldn't work in 2008.

Of course 2000 ended up being stolen, and I fear that's what the Republicans are planning for 2008.

The corporate media will attempt to prop up the bogus results by saying "the country wasn't ready for a woman" in Hillary's case or "not ready for an African American" in Barak's case.

If Al's the nominee, they will try to explain the theft away, but I don't think ANYONE will be buy what they are selling.

[Uncle Joe]

41. Which Democratic Candidate would the MCM not attempt to shred?

Also should we take their recommendation as to who is best for us? Finally do you believe positive stuff has been pounded in to America's consciousness regarding Al Gore since 2000 and would this make it more difficult for them to brain wash the American People again as to who he is?

I've heard Bush's approval ratings are in the twenties and Congress's even lower because the MCM tell us that, but I haven't seen them advertise their own standing with the American People.

[dkofos]

35. And if pigs could fly you would look up more often

[Major Hogwash]

36. This is an excellent analysis of the situation we currently face today.

I don't agree with all of it, but at least you have put a lot of thought into it.

And that is more important than being "right" about it.
Hell, I don't know if you're right or wrong, but at least you put forth a considered opinion that isn't based on hysterical emotions or greed or outrageous claims against Al Gore as a person.

And for that, I respect your opinion.

Things may change over the long, hot summer and the coming of the fall, but by Christmas, I think many more people will come to see the wisdom of what you have said here today.

Al may jump in, and then all hell will break loose, we'll have to wait and see.
We haven't had a brokered convention in decades.
No telling what that would entail.

But, man, I have to hand it to you, this is a really good example of someone using their head, and truly thinking ahead for the sake of our party, in my estimation.

[Zavulon]

38. Having our best guy running would hurt the party?

Insane, no matter how many major candidates we have. I hope Gore runs, because if Hillary wins the nomination every Repug in the nation will call in sick on Election Day, and I'll stay home.

[Perky]

45. It hurts the party because :

It practically guarantees that no one wins the primary straight out.
It hurts the nominees in terms of fundraising between the presumtion and the coronation

It Hurts in the general election because three or four ballots in Denver is going to really piss of the losers and be fodder for the Re

The ability to bring the party back togther and expand beyong the base will have to be a real focus of the nominee and there is only twom months to do that and run against the Republican nominee.

[Zavulon]

56. It hurts the party if

Gore doesn't run. I believe Gore would beat any Repug easily, whereas Obama / Edwards / Clinton don't exactly inspire a lot of confidence, even here on DU.

The Repugs have no shortage of candidates either. I might agree with the notion of us having too many candidates if we had to face an incumbent again, but in this case I can't bring myself to agree that our best candidate joining the race is a bad thing.

I would, however, be happy to see Hillary drop out. That, in my view, would help the party immensely.

[H2O Man]

43. gosh. n/t

[Horse with no Name]

47. Powerful stuff waterman.

"Brevity is the source of wit"

[Spazito]

60. I am still trying to figure out why I am laughing out loud at....

your one-word response, I am coming to the conclusion it is because perfection has been encapsulated in "gosh" in this instance.

:rofl:

[Dogmudgeon]

49. Only in the nightmare scenario

The Nightmare Scenario:

Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama get the nomination.

Then is assassinated.

Gore might step in by invitation at that point.

I sincerely hope that doesn't happen. I also think it is possible that fear of violence was a factor in Gore's exit from electoral politics.

We have been seriously underestimating the fanaticism of some of our wingnuts. The last time there was a Progressive resurgence, we lost four of our strongest leaders (just in the USA) in the space of about six years.

Support Your Local Secret Service Agent.

--p!

[Warren DeMontague]

50. Oh, I suspect we'll survive, somehow.

Yes, God forbid anyone should disrupt the Clinevitability train we've got going on now. :eyes:

[Perky]

52. If HRC looked inevitable I might jump on the Gore bandwagon in a sense

I hopes he would take about 30% of here support and thus leave a bigger opening for Obama or Edwards.

But that is not the rationale for my original OP

Four mahor candidatees means a huge mess in September/October. We will rue the day.

[AndyTiedye]

58. We Would Rue Hillary Clinton Walking Away With the Nomination a Lot More

because that means that the Repiglickins win.

[Warren DeMontague]

66. The important thing is that we get the best person for the job.

Gore is far and away that person, IMHO.

Whether he gets in is another matter. If he does, I think it will be far easier for the party to coalesce around him than it would be for the party to coalesce around any of the big three we've got now.

[blm]

57. There are only a VERY FEW individuals who CAN save this nation and Al is one them.

I disagree with your analysis.

[Perky]

61. THANKS FOR ALL THE SUBJECTIVE. UNSUPPORTED/UNSUPPORTABlE CONCLUSIONARY RESPONSES

Can any of you Gore supporters come up with a scenaraio where your white kinight swoops in and takes away 50% of the support from each of the other major candidates? Because that is the only way Ge is going to get to 40%.


The notion that he can do that is naive, bordering on absurd.

[Perky]

64. oy vey

[MasonJar]

68. Well, since Gore is ahead in the polls in New Hampshire without being a candidate,

I think your original premise falls flat. Any other reasons not to have the best candidate for president? Just because the others started way too early does not mean the voters will not pick Gore. He has already said that he thinks it is ridiculous to run a campaign for this long.

[muffin1]

70. I definitely think Gore could win

He's already won once! He has 8 years of experience behind him. He's on the right (correct) side of the Iraq war, the environment, and health care.
I think he appeals to people all across the board.
RUN, AL, RUN!!!!!!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: