If Al Gore steps in now, I'll be disappointed in him.

[cali]

He's had all the time he could possibly need to make up his mind, and I believe he has. He's said he's not running. If he wanted to run, he would have gotten into the fray before now. It's approximately 100 days to Iowa, and setting up a campaign takes time and money and skilled people- and much of that is gone.

There's something sad about people clinging to some desperate hope that Gore's going to come along and save us at the last moment, like Dudley Dooright.

Gore would have easily been my first choice if he had run. I don't even have a favorite candidate.

Gore is an honorable guy. If he says he's not running, he's not running.

[helderheid]

1. GOD, I hope he disappoints you!

:P

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

2. What you said.

That is the last sentiment I'd expect if he stepped in.

At least on our little esoteric blog. :-) MKJ

[depakid]

5. LOL!

I do too. If he does run (which I doubt he will) it will have been a very smart move to stay out of the "endless campaign."

No other country has this sort of lunacy- where electioneering and money raising go on for over 18 months. It's a major part of what's wrong with the system.

[Uncle Joe]

25. I agree, our current system is a gift for the corporate media not the people.

I don't care when Al Gore decides to run so long as it is legally possible to still beat the primary deadlines.

For me the race doesn't start until election day, that's when the gate opens. All this B.S. by the media is the hype before the race.

[BlooInBloo]

7. Yup.

[Pastiche423]

26. Oh boy do I hope he disappoints the OP!

For more than one reason.

[movonne]

31. count me in on this one...we could sure use Gore..

[mod mom]

56. I little disappointment would be good for the entire planet in this case!

[undeterred]

3. I agree. I wish he were running too.

But he shouldn't have to be dragged in kicking and screaming.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

6. Dragged kicking and screaming how?

:shrug: MKJ

[undeterred]

17. None of the other candidates are being drafted.

They chose to run. Al Gore knows how to run for president, because he has done it a couple of times in the past. As much as many of us, including me, would like to see him run in 2008, he has apparently made a choice not to run for president. I don't think the petitions and the uncommitted delegates are going to change that. We can hand Al Gore the nomination, and he can still say NO. I think we need to listen to what he is saying, and he is saying NO.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

21. Wouldn't being drafted be a good thing?

Help me out here. MKJ

[undeterred]

29. I think it would be a fiasco if he said no.

If he wants to run he should state his intentions and throw his own hat in the ring, in fairness to the other candidates and the whole process. Clearly he knows he has a lot of support. If people draft him and he says no I think it does not make the Democratic party look very good.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

32. Kind of like if we leave Iraq, it's be fiasco.

Maybe we should try both. MKJ

Nothing like the "OMG what if says no" fear to paralyze.

[undeterred]

46. No, not like that at all.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

48. I'm merely comparing hypotheticals which are fear based.

MKJ

[undeterred]

64. ...

except one involves slaughter of the innocents and civil war, and the other does not...

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

67. Exactly.

Making a decision based on fearful "what if's" is the worst possible course of action. MKJ

[Uncle Joe]

30. Yes it would be a good thing, it's an honor.

Who wouldn't want to be drafted? All they have to do is say no, if they don't want it.

[undeterred]

47. Not everyone wants to be president

and not everyone who has run before wants to run again. Clearly, being president is something you have to want to do.

[Uncle Joe]

63. Al Gore has never said he didn't want to be President,

until he does, I see no reason to give up our efforts.

I would also be willing to wager that even *people; who don't want to be President or run for President would still be highly honored by being drafted as opposed to annoyed by it.

One of the few exceptions to this rule would've been William Sherman, and I believe Al Gore has made it abundantly clear to separate him self from Sherman in this regard.

[Turn CO Blue]

111. He wants the job, he just doesn't like campaigning or politics

and you have to admit that being a good President and being a good compaigner are entirely different, distinct skill sets. The actual civil service part of being President - that is what he was dreaming of and groomed for from the time he was a little kid.

[cali]

8. Precisely.. He knows the shape of things.

He's aware that this country is in dire straits. He knows that a lot of dems want him to run. If he had the inclination to be President, he'd be running by now.

[tabasco]

57. So Bill Clinton didn't have the inclination to be President?

This is another stupid post from you.

Bill Clinton didn't declare until October 3rd.

Get off the net for awhile.

[cali]

69. Bill Clinton didn't make a formal announcement until Oct 3

He had all the machinery of running in place, long before that. Furthermore, this ain't 1991. I'll ignore your lame ad hominem. Can't you come up with something better?

[DFW]

4. I think you're right, and wish you were wrong. n/t

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

9. OK, I have to say, this is such bullshit. Why is he not allowed to make a considered decision?

Your instant gratification demands differently, it seems.
MKJ

[karlrschneider]

11. He continues to say he is not running...apparently some people think he's a liar.

:eyes:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

16. If he were to declare for the presidency 15 months before the election, it would show

what?

MKJ

[karlrschneider]

20. a major flip flop?

Don't get me wrong, I think he's far and away the most deserving and qualified person on the planet to be POTUS, I just don't think he wants it (and I don't blame him one iota)

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

28. Oh, the "flip flop" meme. Glad to hear you'd support him, though.

MKJ

[Uncle Joe]

37. Some people can distinguish the difference between

present tense such as "I'm not running" and future tense such as "I will not run" or "I will not accept a draft". I believe the people; who have the biggest problem telling the difference between the two, support some else for President or didn't like English in school.

[karlrschneider]

55. Yes, and some people can distinguish between honest rhetoric and

cynical hedging. I prefer to believe Mr. Gore is honest.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

58. Well, if he declares it seems you will be foursquare opposed to his candidacy.

MKJ

[karlrschneider]

89. No, but I would be surprised.

...

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

91. Actually, me too.

Albeit, pleasantly so. MKJ

[Uncle Joe]

66. Should Al Gore decide to run

or be drafted, nothing he has said to date regarding his intentions to run make him dishonest.

If someone is ready to buy a home today, or look it over and think about it and decide in the future whether they want to purchase, this is no reflection on whether they're "cynically hedging" or "dishonest". Everybody comes to make decisions in their own time and manner.

[karlrschneider]

88. I do not believe he is dishonest which is why I think he will stick to what he has said.

Perhaps I failed to make clear my position on that.

[Uncle Joe]

90. Maybe, I didn't make my position clear, should Al Gore decide to run or be drafted,

that doesn't make him dishonest, because he's never said he wouldn't future tense.

[cali]

19. Instant gratification? LOL. It's October.

If he was going to run, he'd have gotten in. And much as I like Gore, he isn't some God. If he was going to run, he need to get out there with a platform and positions. He hasn't done anything to remotely suggest he's running.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

24. Nothing that remotely suggests he's running except for vigorously advocating for

not going to Iraq and addressing global warming. But, beside that, no evidence whatsoever. MKJ

[cali]

34. That's not evidence. Use a little bit of logic.

Surely you're not suggesting that the reason he's advocating on those issues is because he actually is running? No, of course not. He's advocating on those issues, because of a deep belief that they're vital.

He's done nothing remotely political.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

40. So, calling out Bush on Iraq and Kyoto isn't political. Who knew?

:shrug: MKJ

[Uncle Joe]

41. Could it possibly be both? n/t

[cali]

45. I don't think so.

One of the reasons I respect Gore, is because I believe he's a straight shooter, and I don't believe he's wishy washy.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

52. So, you think he's a "straight shooter" action hero that must commit NOW or forever be

branded "wishy washy" by you?

You seem to be taking all of this personally. MKJ

[cali]

71. Nope. I don't take it personally, and I don't have

political heroes.

[Uncle Joe]

68. I guess one person's definition

of being "wishy washy" can be another person's definition of smart. Maybe he learned something since the last time he played by corporate media rules. Personally I don't view fighting passionately for your causes and beliefs while also leaving the door open for President as "wishy washy". Al Gore is in fact causing change now, even while he's not in power. I can only imagine the effect of change should he be President!

One thing I've noticed, of the current candidates playing the corporate media's game, straight shooting has nothing to do with getting respect or air time by the media.

[snappyturtle]

70. I hope that matters haven't become so convoluted that one's

"deep beliefs" aren't good for use in a position statement and for a platform. Those who have paid attention know what Gore's beliefs are. If he were to run, he's light years ahead of the present candidates.....and how elegant to avoid the bruhaha!

For those who haven't heard Gore's speech of January 2006 to the DAR, here's a link for the transcript or video. It's very passionate....I think Cali you may find it a bit political too!

http://www.acslaw.org/node/2096

I hope he runs because I feel he can do more for the environment from a position of power.....and help restore the Constitution. I have not heard one candidate state they would undo, give back, or otherwise break up the unitary executive powers that * has established. In the above speech Gore discusses the Constitution.

[rosesaylavee]

93. Actually, Dodd has said he would

restore the Constitution and work to reinstate Habeas Corpus as his first acts in office.

[snappyturtle]

110. Thank you....I didn't know! Gives me hope. nt

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. After he wins his Nobel Peace Prize he's going to get in, so prepare yourself.

He has PLENTY of time still. Everyone already knows everything about him. He didn't need to get in early.

I hope he runs because I have NO CLUE who I will vote for if he doesn't. :(

[Rosa Luxemburg]

38. when is the award?

[Klukie]

50. October 12

[Rosa Luxemburg]

95. Thank you

fingers crossed!

[daninthemoon]

12. Exactly. People clinging to this hope that Al will somehow step in

at the last moment doesn't make sense to me. That ship sailed months ago. The candidates we see today are the candidates we've got. Like you, I would have been very happy to support him IF he had chosen to run. Short of ALL the current candidates dropping out, or expressly invinting him in with some promise of deferential support, it's just not gonna happen. Al doesn't want it, doesn't need it, and is not interested in it. My hope at this point is we will get to hear some words of wisdom from him at the convention, but that's as far as it goes.

[Warren Stupidity]

13. We haven't even gotten to the first primary.

It isn't Gore's fault that the permanent campaign gets going way too early. He can jump in anytime he wants and I would be glad if he did.

[malaise]

22. All I have to say is

Run Al Run!

[Blue Belle]

23. No kidding...

remember back when the nominee was decided at the national convention? No one has it in the bag yet.

[hedgehog]

53. LOL - I was just picturing a convention that goes for 34 ballots before everyone agrees on Gore

as the compromise candidate! Stranger things have happened!

[Cha]

74. Ah yes, the good

ol' days when life wasn't so corporatemediawhore controlled.

Edit~ Meant to say "wasn't" so coporatemediawhore controlled!

[Blue Belle]

82. It was less so than it is now...

but you're right... better to let the corporate media set the agenda and follow suit. Let someone else do the thinking and the choosing for you.

[DS1]

14. If Al Gore wakes up tomorrow, I'll be disappointed in him.

[emilyg]

15. He won't.

Too much of a gentleman and has party's best interest at heart.

[TheDoorbellRang]

85. No, Al has the COUNTRY'S best interests at heart

which is why I hope he runs. And no, he probably doesn't want it or need it ("it" being the presidency), but I'll bet he runs because he knows that the country needs him.

[Raine]

18. Not me ... I'm literally praying that he enters

he's our only hope.

[daninthemoon]

27. But why is he our only hope? Hope of what? If he had chosen to

run, I would have been a total supporter, but he doesn't walk on water. I wanted him to run too, but he didn't.

[KoKo]

33. Yes...Cali...there's something "SAD" about this...isn't there?

I hear you crying into your morning GRANOLA about this terrible problem that "GORE HAS!"

:rofl: because it's the only answer to your post.

[spanone]

35. me too

for about one nanosecond

[KoKo]

36. BTW... CALI RULES...! Take NOTE!

[cali]

39. My opinion is hardly worth the tizzy you're going into. n/t

[Blue Belle]

42. I think its pathetic for people to roll over and accept the agenda of...

the main stream media and their corporate backers. Don't begrudge me if I choose to follow "none of the above" and hope for something better. You'll excuse me if I cease to be entertained by the shadows on the wall.

[cali]

49. I doubt there's anyone here who is LESS tuned into the MSM

than I. No TV, no MSM mags or newspapers except for my weekly fix of the Times xword puzzle) and no radio except for NPR. I read Harper's and the Nation. And I don't have a candidate yet. Try again.

[Blue Belle]

72. Better not to choose...

and piss on everyone else for daring to want for more.

[cali]

75. If expressing my opinion on something is what you deem

'pissing on others', I'll continue doing so,

[Blue Belle]

76. Calling people pathetic...

is pissing on others.

Perhaps its just your opinion... but you haven't made up your mind on a candidate either. Who's more pathetic... those who would rather choose a dark horse in the running or those who can't decide, but can pass judgment how lame it would be for another candidate to enter the race.

Perhaps this thread is just a desperate cry for attention.

[cali]

77. Are you that blind? Evidently so. YOU used the word pathetic

It's not in my OP.

[Blue Belle]

81. You're right... it's not...

You said "there is something sad" (which implies pathetic). It doesn't take away from the fact that you are calling the efforts of Gore supporters into question. If you are so unconcerned about the candidates in the Democratic pool to not have one selected, than who cares whether I want Gore to run? Why put out the flaim bait thread if you think he isn't going to run anyway? Mean-spirited much?

[Klukie]

43. If Gore steps in now.....

I will be in awe of him. What other candidate would dare enter this race outside of the boundaries that have been set for them. Hell, the others got so nervous that they jumped in before it was time to jump in. If anyone could pull it off it would be Al Gore.

[JackRiddler]

44. Implicit here...

is acceptance of the very new idea that presidential campaigns are supposed to start two years before the election and be largely decided (as far as the contenders) about a year beforehand. This is another disaster for what remains of democracy and another assist to the dictatorship of money.

[undeterred]

51. The last presidential campaigns involved fundraising $375 M

which is well out of reach for most potential candidates and a huge amount of work for the ones who are doing it like Obama, Clinton, and Edwards. To be doing this kind of fundraising while holding elected office is almost impossible.

[cali]

59. I do accept that things are as they are, at least for this cycle.

I don't like it. I want reform, including public financing and IRV, but I'm not blind to exigencies of this particular moment in time.

[JackRiddler]

61. You shouldn't hold it against someone...

if they decide to announce at a time that was perfectly normal until now, or if they time their announcement to make a splash and increase their chances - what are they supposed to do, get in at the worst time?

[KoKo]

84. "exigencies of this particular moment in time."

Cali...that's incredibly PROFOUND! You left me in tears...:cry: with your statement!

[robcon]

54. He couldn't win anyway.

Though he popular on DU, he has only a small following in the party, and he's polling in single digits.

[WindRavenX]

60. if by 'disappointed' you mean 'ecstatic', then yes, i'll be disappointed.

NT

[Emit]

62. You are so brave, Cali! n/t

[undeterred]

65. Hey, did we ever decide why Al Gore isn't a vegetarian?

:evilgrin:

[janx]

78. No, we didn't, and

I'm very disappointed in him.


:rofl:

[saltpoint]

73. You just never can tell what's gonna happen, my grandpa always said.

That was some many years ago.

Still true today.

[Peregrine Took]

79. I hope to hell you are good and disappointed!! n/t

[Horse with no Name]

80. There is something even sadder

at someone who hangs out on a progressive board and spews conservative views and disrupts.
Folks that do that need therapy.

[Blue Belle]

83. Nice!

:spray:

[kster]

86. If Al Gore steps in now, I would also be disappointed in him

he has to pocket the Nobel Peace Prize before he throws in his hat. Two weeks after that, I think the last day he can enter is Nov 2nd, thats the day he should enter the race, on or slightly before Nov 2nd.

My Two Cents.

[IndyOp]

87. kster --

:yourock:

"If Al Gore steps in now, I would also be disappointed in him... he has to pocket the Nobel Peace Prize before he throws in his hat."

:rofl:

I agree with you that he needs to wait until Oct 12, but then I think it would be great if he'd schedule an appearance on Jon Stewart for Oct 14 or 15 and announce then.

:hi:

[kster]

92. Announcing on Oct 14 or 15 takes the media attention away

from his Nobel Peace Prize win, wouldn't want to do that, schedule Jon Stewart Oct 14 or 15 to talk more about his Nobel Peace Prize, remember Al Gore is up against a Media Madhouse. :)

[cascadiance]

97. I agree that he has to have the Nobel Peace prize first...

I'd actually be disappointed at his finesse if he were to announce before that time. If he's already announced, you KNOW the corporate media would kill him if he didn't win the prize, and therefore kill his candidacy too. Waiting until afterward can either leverage it if he wins it, or he can enter at a time (if he still has time later) where it isn't as much of a topical issue then.

And I think if and when he does enter the race, he can reach back to the remarks mentioned in the following article:

http://www.algore-08.com/blog/lindainsfnm/gore_i_dont_have_run_600_day_campaign

...
When I asked Gore why he hasn’t dismissed all the speculation by issuing a Shermanesque refusal to stand, as he did in 2002, Gore said, "Having spent 30 years as part of the political dialogue, I don’t know why a 600-day campaign is taken as a given, and why people who aren’t in it 600 days out for the convenience of whatever brokers want to close the door and narrow the field and say, ‘This is it, now let’s place your bets’ — If they want to do that, fine. I don’t have to play that game."
...

It would totally support his "late" entry into the race and he could come out and say something like this:

"I've been waiting for a long time to enter, because there's been a lot of other things on my plate as many of you know out there for one. Secondly, I think a point needs to be made that our election process has become WAY too long and expensive, and through doing so, has taken the people out of the decision making process in the primaries that SHOULD make the decision. YOU! (meaning the people) I'm here now to work for YOU the people, and by voting for me now, YOU can send a message to Washington that you want someone leading our country that leads the AMERICAN PEOPLE and a democracy, and not well-heeled lobbyists that have corrupted our political process and who have put us in the severe messes we've been in!"

Something like that would win him the nomination on the spot I think if it were well televised. It's still not too late for him to get in, and I think in fact its very strategic for him to wait a bit longer to maximize his chances!

[daninthemoon]

107. Those are actually some very interesting notions. Guess we'll see.

And btw, thanks for a thoughtful answer to Cali's post, instead of some of the nonsense negative rants mixed in through here.

[cascadiance]

109. Yes, I think it's getting emotional now...

I really do hope that Al Gore gets in the race, as he would hopefully take away many of our fears here. I don't think people are necessarily meaning to beat on each other like you might get on another site where trolls engage in flame fests just for the sake of such. I think you do have some people that honestly are concerned here. There are varying degrees of knowledge and reasoning on their feelings, but in another time and another place, I'd think we'd all have a lot more reasoned discussions where our rants are all pointed in the same direction.

[rosesaylavee]

94. Hi Cali

I hope you change your mind and that you will have reason to. I do NOT think he is the savior or the messiah but I can see how some responses on these threads can be interpreted that way. People do need to have hope in future and that is what a Gore candidacy suggests to many people. Having been hope-starved for several years, it really should not be too surprising that so many are enjoying that emotional release for now.

I have read his book and my impression is that there is no one else who gets it at the same level as he does. I simply think he is the best possible candidate we could have.

If he doesn't announce by the end of October, I will still have plenty of time to decide on another candidate for the primaries.

I know these threads are painful for those not promoting Gore... hide thread is a useful tool.

:hi:

[RevCheesehead]

96. Shouldn't that be "Dudley DUright?"

And I hope he runs.

[Bluebear]

98. I don't undersstand what would be "dishonorable" about jumping in?

Seriously, why would this disappoint you, if he is within the confines of the rules for the race?

[bvar22]

99. I would LOVE it.

And Al is smart enough to pull it off.

A dark horse, stepping in from outside the Democratic Party Establishment....breaking all the RULES so carefully put in place by TPTB in the smokey back room who have already decided on the Party nominee.....overturning the tables of The Party's money changers....owing no one any favors...generating his own self sustaining publicity....making use of INET he helped create to catalyze a grass roots movement that can't be denied.

MAN. I gotta LOVE it!

I would work my ASS off to help him smash the Power Cabal of the Democratic Party Machine that has betrayed Americans who WORK for a Living and sworn their fealty to the CEOs. (The same people who abandoned Gore in 2000, and Kerry in 2004) I would LOVE to help Gore expose the "Inconvenient Truth" about the leadership of the Democratic Party. The Bullshit being catapulted by the Party Establishment is truly an "Assault on Reason".


The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[mbee]

100. Unfortunately he would have been called everything in the

book if he had thrown his hat in the ring along with everyone else. The media hates him even though he's already been elected once. I think the party should have asked him to run again, but they only want the corporate ones. The only thing that will wake this country up is to have an Independent win the election! I wish he would run Independent!

[lonestarnot]

101. Stupidest thing I've read all night.

[OneBlueSky]

102. if Al Gore steps in now, he'll be the ONLY candidate who hasn't done so prematurely . . .

I voted for Hillary Clinton to represent me in the Senate, not to run around the country raising money and ginning up votes for her presidential candidacy beginning almost immediately after her term began . . . personally, I'll have nothing but respect for Gore if he gets in whenever he wants to get in . . . and I'll sure as hell vote for him . . .

[AtomicKitten]

103. Gore's fashionably late and the others are early.

[cali]

104. Nice spin, but

he's given no sign that he plans to attend, fashionably late, or not.

[AtomicKitten]

105. to be technical, Nov 2 is the absolute deadline

Nothing wrong with people still being hopeful

[ThomWV]

106. He has never said he isn't running. What he has said is he has no intention at this time ....

But in every case he has said he has 'not ruled it out' when refering to a run for office.

[EnviroBat]

108. Alas... I have to say that you've truly 'Jumped the Shark" with this one.

I used to read your doom and gloom, "Holier than thou" retorts to just about everything on this board. I always viewed you as a strong debater and I respected that, despite the annoyance factor at your underlying narcissistic chaddle. But this has to be the dumbest post by you ever. You've officially played your hand here, and you've jumped the shark right into my ignore list. Whew! It's like taking off an itchy sweater.

[Tatiana]

112. If Al Gore steps in now....

he sure as hell has my vote!