Al Gore's approval ratings are almost identical to Hillary Clinton's

[TwilightZone]

According to Gallup, Al Gore's latest favorable/unfavorable rating is 50/42.

Hillary Clinton's is 51/44.

Hillary: http://www.galluppoll.com/content/?ci=28957&pg=2

Al: http://www.galluppoll.com/content/?ci=1618&pg=2

These were taken prior to the announcement, of course. It will be interesting to see how much change there is in Gore's ratings.

[aquart]

1. That's nice. And the money?

[AlGore-08.com]

7. Even if he couldn't raise the money (which he is widely assumed to be able to raise very quickly)

He could self-fund the primary - - at least. He hasn't released his tax returns since he held office, but he's made an enormous amount of money since he left office. Bill Clinton is supposed to have made around $10 million, and Gore is supposed to have made around $100 million since leaving office.

[aquart]

11. So you want him to run a vanity candidacy like Romney?

He didn't fight when it mattered. But you think he has the stomach to split the Democratic party up the middle and hand the presidency to a Republican POS AGAIN?

Because you can't bear to vote for an effective woman?

[Uncle Joe]

23. Al Gore fought the election theft of 2000 longer than any candidate has ever fought a disputed

election in the history of the United States, so please spare us the bullshit about him not fighting.

Also if Al Gore was about vanity or the lust for power for power's sake, he could've been President before 2000, but he remained loyal to Bill Clinton when Clinton needed him most, too bad the favor wasn't returned.

[wtmusic]

2. Curious why we need to reinforce the idea that it's a popularity contest? nt

[TwilightZone]

4. Do you really believe that the presidency is *not* a popularity contest?

George W. Bush received nearly half of the votes in two straight elections. Need I say more?

[wtmusic]

8. If it is, it's because you and I let it become one

I'm not going to dwell on numbers like this because it is pointless. If we didn't work hard enough to get the word out on Al it's our own fault. Certainly not any shortcomings of his.

[TwilightZone]

10. For many voters, you and I have little to do with it.

When people get on TV and say things like "He seems to be the kind of guy I'd like to have a beer with" and that impression is repeated ad infinitum, it's quite obvious that it's a personality contest to a significant number of people. Bush's record was abysmal, and it sure wasn't what got him votes.

If you need more recent examples, try the "cackle" or John Edwards' hair. I doubt that you and I "let" those issues become the focus over voting records.

[mondo joe]

16. What else would it be? The winning candidate is the one with the most votes -

at least it's supposed to be. Isn't that by definition popularity?

[TwilightZone]

18. Very true.

I never quite understand the "it's not a popularity contest" claims. Of course it's a popularity contest. He or she with the most votes wins.

I tend to assume that what the posters of those comments really mean is something like, "an election shouldn't be based on the personalities of the candidates", which, while noble in theory, isn't terribly realistic in the real world. We might look at records and actions of the candidates, but Mr. Joe Average Voter tends not to.

[wtmusic]

19. On the Gallup poll there are two different questions

One is who you would support for the Democratic nomination (valid) and the other is whether you have a "favorable or unfavorable opinion" of them (invalid - based on ignorance, whomever you'd prefer to have a beer with, or you like the color of their eyes).

Giving credence to the latter does no one any good.

[mondo joe]

20. So you're supposed to vote for someone you have an unfavorable opinion of?

Here's a clue: if you're a voter the criteria is up to you to determine.

[wtmusic]

21. If you're a stupid voter

you let the media and the meme du jour determine your criteria. By making the question "favorable/unfavorable" vs "qualified/unqualified" you make the issue dependent on the voter's whim.

And thanks for the invite, but I won't be joining you in the Personal Insult Room. :thumbsup:

[mondo joe]

22. Baloney. Someone might be QUALIFIED but still be someone you have an UNFAVORABLE

opinion on because of their views, their policies, etc.

The Presidency isn't some minimal qualification position.

[saracat]

3. And this concerns you why?

[alberg]

5. If you want him to run then sign the petition

http://www.draftgore.com/

[havocmom]

6. And he hasn't been working at it either

Get your stopwatch to time the swarm....

[TwilightZone]

9. Better tell that to the Nobel committee.

I would say that Mr. Gore has been working at it quite effectively, thanks.

[aquart]

12. You don't see the difference.

Which is why you don't see why he will not step in to the race.

[TwilightZone]

13. Hmm, where did I say that I thought he'd run?

Actually, I don't think there's any chance he'll run. I think he's perfectly happy doing what he's doing, and I see little reason for him to give up his current lifestyle to wade back into the political world.

I posted this thread because I found it interesting that the candidate that most on DU see as evil incarnate and the candidate many see as a miracle candidate who will turn the election into an uncontested landslide are viewed in the real world in a very different light. To the general population, their appeal (and lack thereof) appear nearly identical.

[havocmom]

17. Not working at poll #s in the US presidential race.

That position can't be important anymore... look at the cretin there now and the gaggle of wannabees on the GOP side.

Office of the President of the United States of America doesn't mean much anymore. It is NOT a position of real leadership and most of the world knows it.

[book_worm]

14. Most well known politicians who have been in the rough and tumble of politics

have high positives and high negatives.

[TwilightZone]

15. Agreed.

Gore's numbers aren't that surprising. They're not too far off of the '00 election results (had all of the votes been counted), combined with a positive swing based on his recent achievements.