Al Gore 2008

Barack Obama 2008: Obama to Offer Gore Key Position

2008-04-02T16:31:00.000-07:00

Barack Obama 2008: Obama to Offer Gore Key Position

Gore to be drafted?

2008-03-08T18:39:00.000-08:00

Article in Newsweek suggesting that if there is an impasse, Al Gore could be drafted to run for President. Interesting.

by Eleanor Clift

What If There is No Back Room?
The search for a way out of the Democrats' dilemma.

No matter who wins the remaining primaries, there's no way for Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton to capture enough delegates to reach the magic number of 2,025 needed to secure the Democratic nomination. The decision will then fall to the superdelegates, elected officials and party people often demonized in the media as hacks or backroom operators. A majority of them will swing behind one or the other candidate—likely Hillary Clinton—boosting her over the top even if she lags behind Barack Obama in the pledged delegate count.

And they will do this dastardly deed behind closed doors, in the electronic equivalent of the smoke-filled room, plotting over cell phones and making their decision based on implied favors and self-interest. This is the nightmare scenario. The good news for Democrats is that the excitement of two historic candidates generated hundreds of thousands of new voters; the bad news is half of them won't show up in November. But wait, things could get worse, or maybe better, depending on your perspective.

What happens if the superdelegates are just like the rest of the voters—i.e., they can't definitively decide between these two candidates? "What happens if they split the superdelegates?" asks an adviser to the Clinton campaign. The roughly 350 superdelegates who have not yet endorsed are all free agents. There's nothing that says they have to act in concert, and they'll work to avoid anything that fuels conspiracy theories. "My real worry is there is no back room," says this adviser. Clinton says she'll go all the way to the convention in August. If there's a stalemate, the superdelegates could decide to pass on the first ballot to test the candidates' strength at that juncture. We could then be way back to the future, the first time in the modern reform age that a candidate is not chosen on the first ballot.

If that happens, the convention could turn to a compromise candidate. Al Gore is the most obvious and perhaps the only contender who could head off a complete meltdown in the party. After all, he already won the popular vote for the presidency. It was only because of a fluke at the Supreme Court that he was denied his turn at the wheel. No one could deny that he's ready on day one to assume the presidency. "It's the rational choice if this turns into a goddamn mess, which it could," says the Clinton adviser, who doesn't want to be quoted seeming to waver about Clinton's chances of securing the nomination.

Gore has kept his silence throughout the Democratic nominating season. But his name will surely surface as his party ponders the possibility that they will not have a nominee by the time the convention rolls around—especially since John McCain enjoys a huge head start in launching his general-election campaign. We have the Ted Kennedy forces to thank for the freedom of choice that all delegates enjoy, not just the supers. In 1980, Kennedy argued for an open convention, while President Carter was determined to keep convention delegates bound. With a 600-delegate margin over Kennedy, Carter prevailed. As a result, any delegate voting against the candidate he or she was elected to represent could be replaced by an alternate and thrown off the convention floor. The rule was strict and enforceable. Kennedy couldn't dislodge any of the Carter delegates. Two years later, after Carter lost the election, the phrase "in all good conscience" was inserted into the rule, belatedly giving delegates the latitude Kennedy had sought.

What does that phrase mean? In the eyes of the Clintonites, it holds the promise of some room to maneuver en route to the nomination. By the time August rolls around, if public opinion polls show John McCain beating Obama by 15 points, then what does a delegate or a superdelegate "in all good conscience" do? This week's general-election matchups with John McCain have Obama up by 12 points and Clinton up by 6, but that could change with Clinton pounding away at Obama's inexperience on national security. She's shameless, telling a military audience this week that she and McCain bring a lifetime of experience to the job of commander in chief, while all Obama brings is a speech. An unbloodied Obama fares better against McCain, but where will he be after Clinton is through with him?

The two contested nominations of the modern era—Kennedy-Carter in '80 and Reagan-Ford in '76—offer clues as to what may lie ahead. In each case, the candidate with the most pledged delegates going into the convention won the nomination. Each then went on to lose the general election. Clinton backers point to the Reagan model. Governor Reagan stayed in the fight all the way to the convention. He had a hundred delegates fewer than Ford, roughly the same deficit Clinton has today. Reagan helped insure his party's defeat but nailed the nomination four years later.

With the lines hardening between the Clinton and Obama camps, neither is inclined to yield. "They both have such a strong claim on the nomination, it would be dumb for either one of them to give up," says the Clinton adviser, predicting that for the first time in the modern "reform" era, the Democrats may select a nominee on the second ballot. Who it will be is anybody's guess.

Inconvenient Truth Wins Oscar

2007-02-25T20:28:00.000-08:00

Al Gore joined Director Davis Guggenheim on stage this evening to accept the award for Best Documentary Feature for "An Inconvenient Truth."

In his acceptance speech, Gore spoke of the crisis of climate change and global warming.

“My fellow Americans, people all over the world, we need to solve the climate crisis.”

“It’s not a political issue, it’s a moral issue. We have everything we need to get started with the possible exception of the will to act. That’s a renewable resource. Let’s renew it.”

The movie has made $45 million at the box office, the third highest grossing documentary of all time.

Guggenheim told the Hollywood audience that he was inspired to make the movie because of Gore. "We were moved to act by this man."

Gore Mock Announcement at Oscars

2007-02-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

Al Gore seems to be getting better at a light hearted and self deprecating approach to suggestions that he might run for the Presidency.

Gore arrived on stage tonight with Leonardo DiCaprio to announce that the Oscars have gone green.

In a well rehearsed comedy set up, Di Caprio asked Gore if he had any major announcement to make this evening. Gore responded.

"Well, I do appreciate that, Leo. And i’m kind of surprised at the feelings welling up here actually. You’ve been very convincing. Even though I honestly had not planned on doing this, I guess with a billion people watching, it’s as good as time as any. So, my fellow Americans, I’m going to take this opportunity right here and now to formally announce my intention..."

And the orchestra kicked in...

Very clever.

Al Gore at the Oscars

2007-02-25T18:08:00.001-08:00

Al and Tipper Gore at the Oscars in what could be a big night for the movie, "An Inconvenient Truth."

Gore's Film likely to Win Oscar

2007-02-25T15:25:00.000-08:00

The Al Gore documentary about climate change and global warming, An Inconvenient Truth, is being predicted as the winner of the Best Documentary at this years Academy Awards tonight.

And if it does win, expect Gore to join the movie's director, Davis Guggenheim on stage to accept the award.

Would there be any better platform for Gore if he does decide to join the race for the Democratic nomination? An audience of millions of Americans, in what would no doubt be a standing ovation from the Hollywood crowd.

Rumor has it that Gore may be playing another part in this evening's event. At the very least though, expect him to feature in the red carpet walk in interviews.

Although he has said that he is not interested at this stage in running for President again, he has not ruled out a bid, and former Gore aides have been meeting to discuss options of drafting him.

Gore Rocking Against Global Warming

2007-02-15T19:16:00.000-08:00

Al Gore is planning to help stage the biggest one of the biggest rock concerts in history to highlight the crisis of climate change.

The concert series, to be known a "Live Earth" will take place on July 7 and will bring together over 100 musicians from around the world to perform. The concerts will be held in Australia, England, Brazil, Japan, South Africa, China and the United States.

The overall climate change campaign will be known as Save Our Selves, or the SOS campaign, which has been founded by Kevin Wall who organised the Live 8 concerts for Africa in 2005.

It is expected that the concerts will draw an audience of around 2 billion people, through television, radio and live on the web.

Some of the performers who have already committed to the concert are the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, Snow Patrol, Snoop Dog and Sheryl Crow.

Al Gore was in Los Angeles today where the concerts were announced. He said that the concerts were linked to the beginning of the campaign, and in order to solve the climate crisis, billions of people have to be reached. He said that climate crisis is a planetary emergency.

Asked a question on whether he would consider a run for the nomination, he said that he hasn't changed his answer on politics for some time, he has no intention of running for President again. However, the status and publicity that this announcement and the work he is doing will bring him, certainly wont hurt his chances should he decide to run.

Al Gore on 14% in USA Today Poll

2007-02-14T22:30:00.000-08:00

Al Gore is polling in third place in the latest poll conducted by USA Today released yesterday. Gore secured 14% as the preferred Democratic nominee amongst Democrat and Democrat leaning voters.

Hillary Clinton led the poll on 40% with Barack Obama second on 21%.

Gore's result which is up from 11% in the same poll in January, puts him ahead of John Edwards on 13%.

His favorable rating has also risen, up to 52% from 48% in January.

Gore is yet to rule out another bid for the Presidency, but some former campaign advisers met in Boston recently to discuss a "Draft Gore" campaign.

ABC News Story on Al Gore

2007-02-03T12:27:00.000-08:00

Below is a story that appeared on ABC news Thursday. It talks of a possible run by Al Gore for the Democratic Nomination. And it also describes him as a potential Democratic Dynamite!

"Feb. 1, 2007 — International appointment as environmental crusader…check. Oscar buzz…check, check. And, as of this morning, 2007 Nobel Peace Prize nominee…check.

These days it seems like former Vice President Al Gore is in the official pool of nominees for just about everything…except the race for the White House.

Last June, Gore told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, "I can't imagine any circumstances in which I would become a candidate again."

It's a position Gore spokeswoman Kalee Kreider confirmed today, adding that the Gore camp views 2008 as a "campaign on the issue to help change and educate the minds of the American public."

More...

Gore Honors Prince Charles

2007-01-29T22:40:00.000-08:00

Al Gore yesterday honored Prince Charles with an award for his work in campaigning for the environment.

The award from the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School, was for Global Environmental Citizen.

Prince Charles said he was touched to receive the award from Gore, and having followed his career for a long time, considered it a particular privilege.

There has been no word yet on any decision from Gore on the 2008 nomination. However, the last 2 weeks have been consumed by the Hillary and Obama announcements, the Senate Iraq hearings and the President's State of the Union Address.

When the media attention dies down a little on the Clinton campaign (and it will - can you imagine this every day for the next 12 months?) Gore may give some hint as to his intentions.

POST/ABC Poll - Gore on 10%

2007-01-21T18:08:00.001-08:00

For a former candidate who doesn't appear to be running yet and isn't campaigning, Al Gore certainly is popular.

In a national poll conducted by the Washington Post and ABC of 561 Democrats and Democrat leaning independents, Gore secured a very respectable 10%. This put him in fourth place in the poll behind Clinton, Obama and Edwards.

Gore has yet to rule out another run for the White House. But with the media focusing their attention primarily on the contest between Clinton and Obama, the result for Gore in this poll is very interesting indeed.

Al Gore 10%
Hillary Clinton 41%
Barack Obama 17%
John Edwards 11%
John Kerry 8%
Joe Biden 3%

Will Gore run again?

2007-01-15T04:11:00.000-08:00

Al Gore, Former Senator from Tennessee, Vice President and Presidential Candidate in 2000 has not yet ruled out a run for the Democratic nomination for President.

Over the last few years, Gore has been maintaining a high profile, campaigning on the issue of Global Warming. He has travelled the world, talking to key political and industry leaders, as well as the general community about what he calls the greatest issue facing mankind today.

The film "An Inconvenient Truth" was a surprise hit, and created a massive amount of attention for Gore.

So will Gore run? It's hard to tell. He does have good grass roots support within the Democratic Party. And there are those who think he was robbed of the chance in 2000, and deserves another go. It would also be likely that Gore would be able to raise money quickly, unlike some of the other candidates.

But Gore would face stiff challenges. Hillary Clinton leads the race thus far, with Barack Obama not far behind. Then there is the formidable John Edwards, and maybe John Kerry if he throws his hat in the ring.

This is a big difference from his nomination in 2000, when as Vice President he had a much easier run.

However, Gore has established a reputation of being a good loser, of conducting himself with dignity since going down in 2000. And the people of America knows he cares about the big issues - he is not in this for himself, he has been working to help change the world, even as a private individual.

It is unlikely that Gore would declare over the coming weeks, with the expected announcements of Obama and Clinton shortly.

Gore may sit it out for a while, waiting to see how the other candidates fare. With big personalities in play, this could be a bruising year. It might yet be that a compromise or healing candidate could emerge from the wings.

Who better than Al Gore? Elder statesmen, former Vice President, very experienced and committed to making a difference. It might yet happen.

Al Gore Interview - NBC Today

2006-12-22T06:13:00.000-08:00