Suppose Al were...well, not running, exactly, but making moves

[Jackpine Radical]

that might end up with him in the White House in January 2009. What would he do? Well, he might just go about getting tremendous publicity for the cause that's dearest to his heart. He might allow himself a modicum of public exposure--in a relatively non-political context--that puts the lie to all those old diatribes about being "wooden" or whatever. He might just let people get to acquire a better sense of who he is as a person. And of course he would not accept the nomination unless there is a mighty groundswell of public sentiment demanding that he run.

The one thing he would not do is declare his candidacy. If he declares himself in the race, he loses the huge advantage he holds now. That advantage consists largely of free publicity of the best kind, letting people have a leisurely look at him.

The moment Gore announces he's running, the whole game changes.

The nature of his coverage will be entirely different, everything will be filtered through the "candidate" filter. The press will come after them with sharpened knives. Everything he does will be cast in anegative light of self-promotion.

Whether or not he hopes to assume the Presidency, he cannot even broadly hint at such an intention.


There is no run. Luke. There is only win or not win.

[wildhorses]

1. win, he will.

learned his lesson well, he did:patriot:

[sellitman]

2. I almost need a Tinfoil hat to understand this post.

I like Al Gore as much as the next guy but he ain't interested.

I'd love to be proved wrong but.....

:tinfoilhat:

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Hint:

[BattyDem]

16. hehehehehehehe

:evilgrin:

I like the way you think! :toast:

[lildreamer316]

3. Very well said; sir.

Thank you. Exactly what I have been saying.

Damn; he's so smart he makes me swoon.

K&R.

[elocs]

5. A Sherman quote for Gore:

"If forced to choose between the penitentiary and the White House for four years, I would say the penitentiary, thank you."

The presidency would be a prison for Gore. He could not do what he wanted, when he wanted and he would be handcuffed much of the time. This is why I do not see him running. But when the time comes for him to back a candidate, he could be a very important part of determining the nominee. What candidate would not want to be endorsed by Al Gore?

[frogcycle]

7. He could definitely be a kingmaker

i, for one, plan to vote for whomever he says - whether himself or someone else

[Jackpine Radical]

19. Gore hasn't said any such thing.

He is clearly not categorically taking himself out of the running. "Sometime in the future" includes 2008, last time I looked at a calendar.

[patricia92243]

6. I heard that he could wait as late as November to announce and still be in good shape to get

staff and money.

[Swamp Rat]

8. If Al Gore waited until Oct. 2008 to announce, he would still win by a landslide.

He needs no official campaign. He is getting all the air time he needs right now.... and it is MUCH better than the kind the current crop of candidates are receiving, and they are PAYING for it. Al Gore, on the other hand, is EARNING money right now. ;)

Fred Thompson is trying to imitate Al by waiting, but it won't do him much good since he sucks as a politician and human being. :D

[Control-Z]

9. When voting,

is it not our right to write in whomever we want for president? I'm pretty sure there is an open spot for such on California ballots.

What if we started a "write in" campaign to elect Al...?

[elocs]

10. Write-ins are a long shot in local elections,

it will never work in a nation this large with tens of millions of votes being cast.

[Control-Z]

12. Of course they are a long shot - worse than,

but it sure would be fun to prove otherwise, just this one time. :)

[elocs]

14. You mean the primaries or the general?

Electing a Republican would not be a good thing.

[Control-Z]

15. Well, since I was just

playing with a fun idea here - the primaries would obviously be more practical and less damaging.

[ThomWV]

11. Anyone who thinks that Al Gore isn't running for President right this moment is nuts

He is running in his own way and he is willing in his own way.

[sellitman]

13. I prefer Almonds.

Lightly salted.

[knight_of_the_star]

17. If he doesn't run

Whoever he gives his endorsement to would have my vote. I hope he runs if Clark doesn't, those are the only two men in the field in general who are talking big ideas instead of nuts and bolts stuff.

[flyarm]

18. message in a bottle, message in a bottle!!...that was my answer!!

i am more than willing to wait..

message in a bottle...Sting sang it with such happiness!!

fly