Do you think Al Gore is running?

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Not should he, will you back him...etc

Just asking if you think he will. I honestly have no idea at this point. The mixed signals are driving me nuts.

[goddess40]

1. I can only hope

I sure hope he does and so do the three other voters in my house

[Tucson is On Fire]

2. I think he'd be better as a possible secretary of the interior

than anything else.

Let him focus on his passion of climate change.

[bigwillq]

3. One can only hope.

He is my first choice. I hope he runs.

[cassiepriam]

4. Sure looks like he isn't not running.

Go Gore! :)

[Kurovski]

55. Lol.

Now that's just about right!

[Alexander]

5. Yes, but he's waiting for August/September.

By then the electorate will be bored to death of all the other candidates and seeking alternatives.

[Demeter]

6. Maybe Just Walking Fast--or Tap Dancing?

Damned if I think Any of them know what they're doing any more!

[William769]

7. No.

[KittyWampus]

8. Sadly, No. Hope he proves my certainty incorrect.

[Kurovski]

9. Yes.

He's making an end-run around our shit-ass, demoralizing campaign system.

He's out to transform the system, either way.

[Swamp Rat]

11. I could not have said it better.

:D ;)

Geaux Al Gore!!!

:kick:

[Guaranteed]

46. Me either. It's freaking poetry. nt

[jayctravis]

50. Yeah, he's already campaigned.

So if he shows up with a form on the deadline day that'd be sweet.

[ThomWV]

10. Yes - and I will back him in every way possible

[elocs]

12. I don't think the signals are as mixed as some want to believe.

I know there are some that will not accept that Gore is not running unless he makes out a statement in his own blood, signing it with "cross my heart, and hope to die I will not run". I think he has pretty much made it clear that he is not running. Do you really want a candidate who has stated outright that he has lost his love of politics? How many are all fired up to support Gore now who did not do so in 2000 or who voted for Nader? Now that would be interesting to know.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

16. I believe I'm one of those you're asking about

I worked on the Nader campaign in a very active capacity.
Gore's learned a lot since 2000. I think having the election stolen taught him a lot about how crooked the system is.

I couldn't back him in 2000. Until then, his biggest accomplishment in power was debating Perot and shoving NAFTA down our throats (while throwing environmental concerns aside). He was a different man then.

His opposition to the war, global warming work and more have earned my 100% support if he does run.

[elocs]

36. Hindsight is 20/20.

I am betting that for many Nader supporters of 2000, if they knew then what they know now, they would have voted for Gore. Especially in such a large and important state as Florida. Since 2000, Gore has found a lot of redemption while Nader has faded away and does not have much respect (he really doesn't you know--try starting a thread proclaiming how great Nader is and see what happens because it won't be pretty).

[Kurovski]

29. I'd love to have a president who's "out of love" with politics

and embraces True governance as being the most important aspect of his presidency.

[elocs]

35. I don't know what "true governance" is supposed to mean.

If you are going to run for president you had better love politics because you will be dealing with it everyday. You had better have the heart for politics if you are going to win. As president, you had better love politics is you are going to get things done, learning to compromise when you need to and get the most and the best you can get. You need to love politics and working the system rather than taking a my way or the highway attitude. We already have somebody who does that now. All of that changes if you view politics as being evil or dirty. Our politics is all goodness and light--it's the politics of the other side that is evil and dirty.

It's all a matter of perspective, but I think you had better love politics if you are going to be a good president and I believe that Gore thinks the same way. He has found a new direction and a new calling which he does love and finds fulfilling, one where he feels he is making a difference in the world. I think that he has gotten past the election of 2000 and the belief that somehow if he runs and wins now that will make up for that. It won't. He gets it, so should we.

[Kurovski]

38. Or, you can transform politics.

Neither of us know if he's going to run or not. You speak as if you know. Is this Tipper? Karena?

And what's this "get over it" message all about? You do know what that sounds like, don't you?

No one said anything about 2008 being a "make-up". I want a decent president in my White House. That is my motivation.

And what's this one about? " Our politics is all goodness and light--it's the politics of the other side that is evil and dirty." You've heard us here speak of the DLC, have you not. So please stop projecting what you think we think.

It's why many of us would like to see Gore as president. I have a greater trust of Gore, and have too many concerns over candidates now in the field. Al Gore is even bringing Republicans around. He could break down the barriers of "them and us", "red and blue" in politics.

Since you "asked": True governance means doing the people's work and upholding the Constitution instead of politicking, pleasing big contributors, and constantly campaigning.

[elocs]

43. Alas, you do not speak for the "we" anymore than I do.

I am projecting my own opinion as many do here at DU based upon what I have read others post.

Are you sure that "no one" said anything about 2008 being a make up?
No one meaning "not one", because I have read hundreds of posts about Gore and his running, or not running as he says himself, and the impression I get from many posters is that since Gore was robbed in 2000 then he should reclaim his stolen presidency. Those who want Gore to run appear to grasp at the smallest of straws that he might. Gore has said himself that he is not a candidate and he has not said that he is thinking about it. I take him at his word. Until Gore says he is a candidate and it running, then he is not running. How is this not clear?

I think that Gore has gotten over 2000 and so it might be good for others to get over using it as a reason why he should run because I have seen that even if you have not. It certainly appears that Gore is happy, satisfied, and fulfilled with what he is doing now. I don't think he has the heart to go through a campaign again. Again, this is my opinion, which I am allowed to have, just like those who want to see him run.

I asked what true governance meant because I really wanted to know. I was unaware that Gore was the only one who could provide it. We Democrats tend to look upon politics as black and white, just like the Republicans do. If it is our politics then it is good, if it is theirs then it is bad. Politics is in the eye of the beholder.

[Samantha]

52. I think you are correct - I believe Gore is ambivalent about this

That's why it is so frustrating that people on this site argue their point as if Gore personally called them and gave them the scoop. I think he's wrestling with himself. Part of him wants to run, and the other part absolutely dreads the ordeal. But he would love to govern this nation and turn it around.

I don't think we will know for a little while, but in the interim, we can hope, can't we?

[Kurovski]

57. Yes we can.

We can hope, and we can ask.

It's just plain stupid when people say it's "rude" to bother Gore with this. It's also obviously an extremely suspicious thing to say. Or maybe it's just nuts, at any rate it makes no sense whatsoever.

We can keep desiring a Gore run until he says no. And then it's done.

[NastyDiaper]

51. Agreed. Nothing mixed about "Not Planning".

I'm going to say yes because I'm am optimist.

I think Al Gore does not know if he will run because the decision simply has not yet been made.

[Nunyabiz]

59. Personally that would make me vote for him

"Do you really want a candidate who has stated outright that he has lost his love of politics?"

more than ever, what we DON'T need in the Whitehouse is some lying ass BS "Politician" what we need today is something this country hasn't had in a VERY long time.... "A STATESMAN"
Gore seems to be as close to a Statesman as we have today.

and Remember Gore WON handily in 2000, "We the People" are whom lost and we stood around like sheeple and did nothing about it, then again in 2004, and again we did nothing.

[Ecumenist]

13. Dear God, I hope so...

I know STAUNCH repubs who would vote for him in a hot second and have indeed, rescinded their oftentimes lifetime membership, in the republican party.

[AndyA]

14. If Gore doesn't run, I sure hope the next President taps him for another job

in the administration. Gore would be wonderful in many areas.

[renate]

15. until I read this article this morning, I thought maybe so

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1622009,00.html

(It's a very good article, BTW.)

What it would take, specifically?

"I can't say because I'm not looking for it. But I guess I would know it if I saw it. I haven't ruled it out. But I don't think it's likely to happen."

His wife is more blunt. "He's got access to every leader in every country, the business community, people of every political stripe," says Tipper. "He can do this his way, all over the world, for as long as he wants. That's freedom. Why would anyone give that up?"

Gore knows it's in his interest to keep the door ajar. It builds curiosity. Before he could get serious about running, however, he would have to come to terms with the scars of 2000 and accept the possibility that he could lose again in 2008. That prospect may be too much to bear. "If he ran, there's no question in my mind that he would be elected," says Steve Jobs. "But I think there's a question in his mind, perhaps because the pain of the last election runs a lot deeper than he lets most of us see." There's an even deeper issue here, and with Gore, it's always the deepest issue that counts. What's at stake is not just Gore losing another election. It's Gore losing himself—returning to politics and, in the process, losing touch with the man he has become.

Interestingly, they changed the photo from the one that was there earlier--it's more flattering now. The previous one made his eyes look kind of funny and his hair was too slicked back. So maybe his people made some calls and there's reason for hope again.... :)

[DemGa]

17. Yes, I do

It's his time and he knows it. If Gore chooses Obama for example, as a running mate, it could be a landslide.

I don't want to "pass the torch"; I want real transformation.

I do think Al Gore is running.

[wanpete]

18. no.

[Ghost in the Machine]

19. no, he's probably eating dinner right now. Maybe a jog afterwards though.

:rofl:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

20. No.

If the mixed signals are a campaign strategy then he'd better clarify soon before it backfires. But I don't think he's being a tease. I don't believe he will run.

[Anwen]

21. I hope so.

I have no idea what he will decide, but if he runs, he has my enthusiastic vote!

[emilyg]

22. NO

[azurnoir]

23. Maybe

however does he really want the MSM proctoscope up his backside for 2 years again?

[KoKo]

24. Gore WILL NOT RUN with "THE PACK" ...He wil wait to see if he is "Needed"

..and If he is...he will COME IN at the last minute. I will bet big bucks on this...but since I don't have "big bucks" to give you...you will have to trust me for "000000's" IOU's. :shrug:

[peace frog]

25. YES

and I will fully support him.

[Warren DeMontague]

26. I'd give it slightly better odds that he isn't than he is. Maybe 60-40.

Obviously, I wish that wasn't the case. But for whatever reason, I think he is genuinely reluctant to do it, although if he was planning to run, he's playing it perfectly IMHO. No need to do anything just yet! The fall is crunch time- then he'll need to shit or get off the proverbial pot.

But I'm not pollyannaish about it. I think there's a decent chance he won't run, a slightly slimmer chance he will.

[RockLacrosse20]

27. He is not running, he is walking, as of now...

it is no coincidence that just as 2008 heats up, Al Gore is not only getting more prominent, he is doing more interviews where he knows the subject of Campaign 2008 is inevitably brought up. I think he wants to wait till people are like "these guys suck (referring to Hillary, Obama, Edwards), we need someone more seasoned and electable" and then Al Gore will pop out, and be like "THATS ME" after winning 2 Oscars and maybe the Nobel Prize, 1 presidential election (at least per the people in their popular vote outcome), and after his new book goes on the NYT Best Sellers List, which is basically camoflauged campaign fodder bad about Republicans. The book probably will leave out bad stuff on Dems for the most part, tho not wholly so as to win favor with the party elders. Al Gore's walk for the presidency is perfect, he keeps his name known for the publicity and leadership on global warming, the most sharp turn around of American political opinion in modern American history.

[Warren DeMontague]

31. I think you're on to something, Rock.

I keep saying, it would be perfect- swing down onto the stage in the third act like Spider-Man. I don't want to get the old hopes up too high, but it makes sense for him to be handling it this way.

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[dsa]

28. probably not

i wish he would. but i think he enjoys being a hollywood celebrity too much and doesn't want to get back into the mudslinging of politics.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

30. The Mario Cuomo of 2008. I don't think he will, but I hope he does.

I sort of hope that he's nutty enough to run, will vote for him with some enthusiasm, but lose respect for his integrity.

[PDittie]

32. No, I don't.

And I think we all should accept his decision and move forward.

[stevedeshazer]

33. For Secretary of Energy

That works.

[tammywammy]

34. No

As long as Hillary is running, Gore is out.

[Peregrine Took]

37. Please, Al, go for it!

[Hubert Flottz]

39. Yes I think he is going to run.

Al gore is a partiot who loves his country. He knows his country needs his help.

[bklyncowgirl]

40. Either he's running a brilliant stealth campeign or he has no intention to run

Frankly I can't tell which is which.

I kind of like the stealth campaign idea--his big tease moment at the Oscars sure of made it look like that. His books and movie have been timed to create excitement. He's been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. If he wins, calls for his entering the race can only grow to a crescendo. If necessary, Howard Dean, his very good buddy, runs the DNC and could run interference should any other candidate object to his late entry.

On the other hand, he's having the time of his life doing the work he is most passionate about. The coolest people in the world want to hang out with him. He's making a difference and he doesn't have to pander and lie to anyone. He made a bundle by getting involved early and big with Google he's independently wealthy now and can do what he wants.

The 2000 campaign had to be the worst time of his life. Why should he subject himself to that sort of torture again?

[Upfront]

41. Yep!

[lonestarnot]

42. Yes.

And I'm pretty fucking happy about it.

[Kazak]

44. No, I'm convinced he's going to waltz in!

:)

[Guaranteed]

45. I'm not sure that he has actually made a decision. But let me put it this way:

If anyone has put themselves in the perfect position to run in and win both the primary and the general election, it is Al Gore.

I think he has run "a" campaign, of some sorts, and it is his choice as to what he will do with it. He can make the step if he chooses. He can just as well not make that step.

I think many of us hope that he does choose to enter the race. I hope he knows that.

[krispos42]

47. It's quarter to two in the morning

I'd guess he was sleeping...



<snort>

[StarryNite]

48. Testing the water

I honestly don't think he has made up his mind yet. I would love to have him run. He would be my candidate of choice. However, I wouldn't blame him a bit if he didn't.

[Californian Dreamer]

49. He simply doesn't want to.

He really, really does not want to run. He knows better, he knows the hell you need to go through to get there, and how much worse it gets if you succeed. He's happy and successful were he is, outside of politics. But he also knows the critical situation we are all in. Although he is doing great work as an advocate, if the leading candidates refuse to take a stand on these things he is willing and very able to step in and get things done.

One reason I think he's being non-committal either way is simply to get attention to his message, which is just as important whether he runs or not. But also less obviously it's kind of a threat to the other candidates, saying "If you guys don't get on the ball with this, I will do it myself."

Personally, I don't think Hillary, Obama or Edwards have what it takes, they're too tied up in the games of politics and money. Perhaps Kucinich could, but it doesn't look like the nomination can go to him as things stand now. If and when anyone did come ahead and start doing things right I'd support them, and Gore porbably would too. Otherwise, I would put my money on The Once and Future President Gore.
:patriot:

[wildhorses]

53. yes he will run

and clark will be his running mate. you heard it here first.

[BenDavid]

54. He will not run.

He would not fight back. Like Kerry in 2004, he too did not fight back. The only one that will and has been tested and will fight the gop is HRC. Obama will be so tied up if he gets the nomination with dealing with what is racist and what is not from the GOP.....If you all want a fighter that will attack and will be on offense more then defense then you that are sitting on the fence best go with a proven winner...That is HRC and WJC....

[Triana]

56. NO (n/t)

[ScreamingMeemie]

58. No. I do not.

One, I don't think he wants to be President anymore...in a system as messed up as ours, he's being realistic.

Two, it would be a tough run. Yes, Dems (like myself) love him. Swing voters? Not so much.