Can you say PRESIDENT GORE !!!!!?

[Lodestar]

He is seriously considering a run....... SO SO SO EXCITED BY THIS NEWS!!!!!

(Just announced on the evening news)

[MADem]

1. Source? Link? nt

[Lodestar]

7. Just covered by ABC evening news!

They said he was in the very early stages of discussing a run with his
people but was seriously contemplating a run.

[yeoman6987]

12. Just on ABC World News

May not have written sources yet. But I heard it. We'll see.

[former9thward]

26. Link

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/al-gores-friends-aides-eyeing-2016-race/story?id=33072322

A weak story.

[MADem]

42. Hmmm.

Last night on this very board someone told me that any mention of Gore running (accompanied by an old pic of him actually RUNNING) was a joke.

This IS weak, you're right-- and it sounds more like chatter and column inches than anything else.

Who knows, though?

I think he'd need to work on his stamina.

This pic was taken last month--he looks tired and puffy.

[Picking Dem]

2. Link?

I'm curious

[L. Coyote]

10. You are already there.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027075100

[ladjf]

3. I like him a lot. But, I think he was a poor campaigner. nt

[One of the 99]

22. In January 2000 he was down 18 points to Bush

Yet with a hostile media that went out of their way to lie about him, he closed the gap and got the most votes in the election. Not such a poor campaigner.

[Snobblevitch]

38. If Gore had won his home state,

there never would have been a second President Bush.

[Samantha]

49. Tennessee was targeted by Rove as a state that definitely would go to Bush

Rove was determined to humiliate Gore by making sure he lost his home state. Tennessee was a "mini-Florida" as far as voting irregularities. Three of the 21 official complaints investigated by the FEC came out of Tennessee. One particular incident I will always remember is an African-American senior (I believe he was a pastor) who showed up to vote and was denied the opportunity. He started DEMANDING that he be given his right to vote, said he was not moving, and he would call his lawyer on the spot. He was allowed to vote.

In some cases, African-American voters arriving at the front of the line were told to go to the back of the long line. People knew everyone in line would not be able to vote because the polling locations would close before everyone in line could vote. Many of the incidents we read about in Florida were replicated in Tennessee.

I followed these events and their aftermath because my family is from Tennessee.

Sam

[kath]

58. Thank you for this! Yes, TN was chock-full of voting irregularities, and I get real frickin' sick of

hearing the bullshit " but Gore couldn't even win his home state" meme.

[Samantha]

69. Once while he was making a campaign speech there, a person asked about a rumor

Was the rumor of TVA planning a layoff true? Gore responded there were no pending layoffs by TVA as far as he knew. That seemed pretty reassuring to that crowd.

The very next morning, a TVA spokesman make a public announcement of a substantial layoff. I knew the minute that announcement was made, someone had made a phone call the night before....

And that incident was one of the reasons some of my relatives angrily accused Gore of being a liar.

Sam

[1939]

98. At the time

President Clinton was in office and in charge of the TVA.

This sounds like conspiracy theory.

[Samantha]

110. Well the incident happened as I said it did because I was in Knoxville

and my relatives experienced what happened and bitterly complained.

Clinton might have been in charge, but no President can run the day to day operations of everything they are responsible for. I do not think this is a conspiracy theory; I believe it was a typical Republican dirty trick. IMHO

Sam

[Snobblevitch]

79. I had not heard about the irregularities that you have described,

especially anout being in line and not being able to vote. I stoll believe hat a candidate should be able to overcome those things in their home state.

[freshwest]

90. You didn't follow this or read Greg Palast's book? n/t

[freshwest]

89. Thx. Yes, TN roadblocks, the TX-FL database scam, the USSC theft. Gore won. n/t

[One of the 99]

84. Bull

That's a FAUX News talking point. Bush spent 3x what Gore did in Tennessee. Plus Gore had to divert funds to the west coast states to combat Nader who was running lying attack ads against Gore with GOP money.

[Snobblevitch]

85. How many presidential candidates,

other than McGovern, have lost their home states? I'm from Minnesota, we were the only state to vote for Mondale.

[RandiFan1290]

95. George W Bush lost Connecticut

Why do you guys ALWAYS forget that?

[One of the 99]

104. So what?

It is still a FAUX News talking point.

[Samantha]

54. That is so true -- and GE in particular hounded him

Clinton and Gore had gone after GE for dumping some type of toxic waste in a river (something like that) which resulted in a huge fine. Jack Welch DESPISED Gore, and make several appearances on Meet the Press attacking Gore. Russert was all too happy to go along.

Sam

[freshwest]

91. Welch was a major player and bought CBS, if I recall correctly. After Rather announced the exit poll

he was stopped and told there was a problem. Read that GWB called Jeb to ask what was wrong, that he'd been promised to win. HRC has already called Jeb out on this one. I wish the debates would have all of Democratic candidates on the stage calling the GOP candidates out. Jeb in particular, author of the coup for Bush. Disgusting lot of crooks who worked for years to pull it off.

[Samantha]

113. Remember that George W. Bush's cousin was employed by Fox News and was commenting that night

Jeb Bush reportedly called him at a particular critical moment in time when the results were still uncertain. At that moment, it could go either way. Jeb told the cousin to call the election for George. Fox did call it, and the other networks soon followed. It is from a political standpoint better to be assumed to be the winner so that the opponent when contesting can be labeled a "sore loser." So from a propaganda standpoint, Jeb wanted that edge.

George H.W. Bush pulled that maneuver when he was running during a primary. Then he left town. When questioned by reporters, George H.W. shrugged it off and said there was no question he had won. But there was.... Attitude is perceived to be everything in these matters.

Relatives of candidates should be banned from commenting on elections at the networks. They have a conflict of interest and these election calls should be beyond reproach.

Sam

[freshwest]

88. Agreed. n/t

[ericson00]

43. agreed, and not very tactical

he shoulda known that in a state like FL, controlled by his opponent's brother, the deck was gonna be rigged against him. Thats pretty basic.

[JDPriestly]

78. Even worse than Hillary.

His speech sounds stilted.

He cannot compete with Bernie. Boy are the establishment Democrats scared.

It's almost funny.

[Betty Karlson]

100. How is Gore an expression of establishment angst?

I'm afraid your brain makes connections a lot faster than mine.

[hifiguy]

4. Tell me more.

Very interesting.

Wish I could have said President Gore on 1/20/01, that's for damn sure.

[ms liberty]

27. Yes, what we lost by not having Gore as POTUS...

It is depressing to think how different the world might be.

[Adrahil]

33. Stop it!

That's incredibly depressing and I have to actively forget it every day!

[RussBLib]

47. it still hurts

can you imagine what Al was going thru?

[freshwest]

93. And his family. CNN showed buses of RWNJs in the street yelling all night long at the VP mansion:

'GET OUT OF CHENEY'S HOUSE!'

[freshwest]

92. It's what I said all through the Residency. I had a MVA and a doctor did the

Orientation test, in which they ask you the year, place and name of the President. I looked the doctor hard in the eyes and said with a sneer in my voice, 'Al Gore.'

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

5. Sad to say, I think his time has come and gone.

I wish him well, though.

[WillowTree]

59. What you said.

[hfojvt]

73. I was thinking Hillary could pick him for Veep

then if Jeb picks Dan Quayle

it would be Clinton/Gore vs. Bush/Quayle

we could party like it's nineteen ninety two.

[Chemisse]

102. Haha!

Yep, good times would be had by all.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

111. Reading that gave me a headache.

LOL

[wheniwasincongress]

6. ABC News twitter:

Former Al Gore adviser tells @ABC a "soft conversation" is going on about whether the former Vice President should run in 2016

The first Democratic debate is in October!

[tularetom]

8. I'm pretty sure those are two words I will never have to utter, thank god

Remembering who he selected as a running mate the last time, I'd have to seriously question his judgment.

He did a great job with that TV network too.

[Lodestar]

13. I think he'll prove you wrong on all counts. n/t

[Gigabear]

18. You really can't argue with the fact that he made a terrible choice

in Joe Lieberman.

[Lodestar]

21. Lieberman was thrust on Gore by the powerful AIPAC

AIPAC ( American Israel Public Affairs Committee ) greatly influences the US Government which is the real reason Joe Lieberman carried so much weight in the Senate. They've been very contentious with Obama as well. However the country's Jewish constituency are challenging that group's hawkish agenda in a big way which is weakening it.
It's a new day and I want to see what Gore can bring to the table. I'm guessing he has grown a great deal.

[cali]

39. oh bullshit..

I

[Samantha]

50. Bill Clinton heavily influenced Gore to choose Lieberman

He said Lieberman on the ticket would help Gore carry the Jewish vote. That is why he was chosen.

The Gores were not close friends with the Liebermans but the Clintons were (and may still be....)

Sam

[Ed Suspicious]

68. Always triangulating for whatever certain demographic. God the Clintons and the entire third way

mode of politics is so tired for me.

[rhett o rick]

118. IMO he also made a terrible choice in not putting up a fight for the presidency in 2000.

He acted like it was a tennis match that got stolen. "Cheerio and no hard feeling my good chap." He claims he did it for the good of the country. How well did that work out for us, Al?

[tularetom]

19. Well, he was already elected president once but he wouldn't stand up for himself

And he let down millions of Americans in the process and gave us bush.

If you are looking for the ideal candidate, Gore isn't the answer

[CrispyQ]

114. What is it about today's dems & their refusal to fight?

When Reagan started poking fun at the word liberal, dems ran away from the description & eventually the policies as well. They always tuck tail & run - they never fight. They cower if fear of the media. Kerry conceded the day after Ohio flipped. Obama ditched single payer long before negations even began. They toss us a few crumbs & hope we don't notice they are on the same gravy train as the repubs.

Until we get money out of politics, nothing will change.



Look at that. Bernie's top 10 donors don't add up to as much as the one contribution from Emily's List PAC.

[John Poet]

34. In Al's defense, Lieberman didn't really

turn to total shit until after 9-11.

Still, he could have done better.

[NightWatcher]

9. Is he selling a new book?

[TBF]

11. First Biden, now Gore ... they are really reaching. nt

[Agschmid]

17. I don't want a coronation but I also don't want a shit show.

[MADem]

44. One source says "Not so fast...." (i.e. horseshit/cough)

?w=1000&h=667

Not so fast, says The Tennessean. Gore’s hometown newspaper, which, like USA TODAY, is owned by Gannett, cites a Gore spokeswoman and “two sources close to Gore” in shooting down the idea that the 2000 Democratic nominee is exploring another White House bid.

http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2015/08/13/al-gore-2016-rumors/


I would not be surprised if one of those two sources close to Gore is a guy named Al.

[Agschmid]

45. Me either...

[PoliticAverse]

14. No, he's not, read the buzfeed article...

http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/al-gore-insiders-figuring-out-if-theres-a-path-for-him-to-ru

[FSogol]

15. Will he still pick Lieberman as his VP?

[Lodestar]

20. It's a new day for Gore. I don't think he wanted Lieberman but was pressured

at the time from many quarters (not least of which was AIPAC).
AIPAC ( American Israel Public Affairs Committee ) greatly influences the US Government which is the real reason Joe Lieberman carries so much weight in the Senate.
Now there is a movement within the Jewish constituency to counter the AIPAC's hawkish agenda.

[lpbk2713]

16. If the vote is close will he throw in the towel?

[RichGirl]

23. Wonder if he would take the veep spot....

Another Clinton/Gore ticket.

[wildbilln864]

24. nope! n/t

[former9thward]

25. This is the link from ABC

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/al-gores-friends-aides-eyeing-2016-race/story?id=33072322

It seems a weak story.

[DawgHouse]

28. I like him but I never really felt that he wanted the job.

[PoliticAverse]

37. His lack of charisma made it hard to tell. The reality of politics is

charisma = votes. He still managed to get more votes than Bush though.

[LiberalAndProud]

29. Would this be a floating the balloon moment?

I can only speak for myself. That would be not excited about the prospect. I have nothing against Al at all, just not excited.

[BuelahWitch]

32. He could've had it in 2008

And I would have supported him. Not this year though.

[ibegurpard]

30. 11 years too late.

I would've been excited in 04. His time has come and gone.

[BillZBubb]

31. Just say no Al, you had your shot.

The way he capitulated to bush still gets me angry.

He's a lousy campaigner and a poor strategist.

[truebluegreen]

36. To be fair, he "capitulated" to the Supreme Court's egregiously partisan decision.

At that point, what would you have had him do? Appeal to a Higher Court, like a whack?

OTOH, he set himself up for a fall by only asking for certain counties to recount, not all of them in Florida, so the "poor strategist" part fits.

[BillZBubb]

46. Apparently you don't remember him calling bush to concede BEFORE

the final count in FL was in. Then he had to reverse himself. That was disgraceful. Then not asking for a full recount later was pathetic.

Finally, not raising hell about the SC decision was weak. He should have nailed the right wing court for all to see. He accepted the theft like a loser.

[Samantha]

60. There was no provision in the Florida Constitution election law for a state recount

The only way to get one was by permission of the Governor (and we remember who that was) or through a court order. The Florida Supreme Court, which according to our U.S. Constitution should have had the last word, did order a state recount, and that is when the Republicans reached out to their friends in higher places.

He did not accept the theft like a loser. Did you listen to the speech he made after that decision? He did not try to take things any further because there was truthfully nowhere else to go and because he was afraid of triggering a national revolution. I think he was right about that, but personally I preferred for the Country to take that risk.

Sam

[truebluegreen]

108. Did not know that about a state-wide recount. Thanks for the info.

[truebluegreen]

61. I do remember that; I also remember that it didn't make a difference. Did it?

And I would call not asking for a full recount bad strategy, as I already said. But I think your complaint about not raising hell about the SC decision is, bluntly, what a whack would do. As I said.

[riversedge]

35. I think his agenda is to bring climate change into the

election in a big way--if he runs IMHO.

[EL34x4]

74. Making climate change the cornerstone of his campaign would be a disaster.

Outside of political internet forums, people just don't care that much about it. People are more concerned with paying the rent next month as the rich get richer than they are about how many centimeters the sea level will rise a hundred years from now. Climate change consistently ranks near the bottom of issues that voters are worried about.

Not saying it isn't an important issue. Just saying it's not going to win an election, not when you have Trump talking about jobs, the economy and "making America great again."

[madinmaryland]

40. BREAKING!! A LINK SHOWING AL GORE IS RUNNING!!!!!

[valerief]

41. He was already elected and rejected contesting the Supreme Court coronation. nt

[philosslayer]

52. How exactly would he have contested a Supreme Court decision?

Who is it you go to next?

[Samantha]

65. Only by inciting a revolution

That is about it. Gore knew that was what was at stake, and he was too much of a statesman to allow something like that to happen.

Sam

[philosslayer]

67. How would you incite a revolution?

Take over the Army? Incite a civil war? Set up a shadow government?

[Samantha]

70. Not exactly my field of expertise, but I will take a shot!

I believe Gore feared massive civil unrest accompanied by violence. I believe it could have been driven hard enough to provoke serious problems in this Country, perhaps bringing it to its knees. There were many people who were absolutely convinced that election had been stolen, and protesting and rioting would have been perceived as a patriotic thing to do as opposed to a crime.

Just a few random thoughts on the subject...but Al Gore himself made a statement in the aftermath that that is exactly what he feared would happen had he not made that public concession following the SC decision. That was a magnificent speech.

Sam

[philosslayer]

76. Yet some on this forum chide him for not fighting hard enough

Yet they never specify what exactly he should have done.

[closeupready]

48. No thanks. Like Biden, I like him, but tempering that

fondness is awareness of his human, fallible side. Not that I want Superman, but he had his chance, and for whatever reasons (selecting Lieberman as VP?), was unable to follow through. Good guy, though.

[philosslayer]

51. I hear Walter Mondale is free these days

n/t

[Iris]

53. It just wouldn't be the same without Tipper.

He is still one of my favorite Democrats, though.

[herding cats]

55. I seriously doubt this.

This is someone grabbing at straws. Gore has moved on, not to mention he's not laid the least bit of groundwork for a run.

It's not happening. It's as if the media thinks we're all politically stupid or something.

I find myself more and more often insulted by the complete BS they attempt to feed to us as "news" lately. I suspect it's a sign I'm not a kid anymore. 😞

[Rex]

57. I swear to Koresh I posted before reading any replies.

I need a drink.

[herding cats]

62. Haha! Loving it!

I saw your post header below as I was about to reply to this one and admit I smiled before seeing what they even said. Too perfect considering the topic!

[Rex]

64. Tee hee!

[Rex]

56. Herding cats this late in the day?

[HooptieWagon]

63. DNC must be getting desparate.

Did Mondale turn them down?

[Warren DeMontague]

81. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz's DNC already has their candidate.

Who are you kidding?

[GoCubsGo]

97. Something tells me it's not the DNC that is getting desparate.

Schmuck Todd was all over it this morning, breathlessly reporting on how little Hillary "inspires" Democratic voters, etc., etc., blah, blah, blah, and that's why Gore's name is being floated. It's nothing but another attempt by the corporate-whore media to bash the Democrats, and distract us from their clown show. I don't recall anyone ever discussing whether or not any of the republican candidates "inspire" republican voters. The media is not getting the kind of horse race they want, so they're ginning up this kind of crap. I honestly don't think Gore is going to run.

[Juicy_Bellows]

66. Gore running for president is about as likely

As me spotting manbearpig on the way home.

[Samantha]

71. Is it possible this is a political rumor started to change the topics of the day

I love Al Gore but I think the above is probably more likely than his running for POTUS.

I would love to be wrong.

Sam

[colsohlibgal]

72. No No No

He did actually win in 2000 but as has been pointed out he fell all over himself to concede which was insane and put him behind the 8 ball.

Plus he's in large part another neo democrat.

This news does maybe show the party is worried about Bernie and want a plan B Bern repellant.

[One of the 99]

82. "fell all over himself to concede"???

Nice revisionist history. Gore fought for weeks until the Supreme Court shut down the recount.

[freshwest]

94. Thank you. n/t

[RiffRandell]

75. I said it in 2000. nt.

[JDPriestly]

77. No. He has already lost once. He should let Bernie have a turn.

[Warren DeMontague]

80. He's always been at or near the top of my list. That said, I doubt he's running.

I'd be ecstatic if he did, but I dont think he is.

Also, as far as people endlessly griping over Lieberman- a poor choice, no question, and part of several bad decisions by that campaign--- but I remember pretty clearly that the call was made because Lieberman was supposed to innoculate the campaign from the dread taint of Clenistic immorality, because Lieberman had been the number one puritannical Monica morals clucker on the senate floor, at least on our side of the aisle.

So who to blame ... Whatever the verdict I do suspect that Gore's experience in 2000 convinced him beyond a shadow of a doubt to be his own man from here on out, which he has consistently demonstrated since-

and which is why I suspect he wont run; because as much as others of us might want him to, I dont think it's where he wants to go anymore.

[Lodestar]

83. Who says he'd run as a Democrat? Maybe a third party candidate?

The Green Party or Friends of the Earth! I think his expertise in climate issues
would tap into a quiet but enormous and passionate constituency made up of many independent thinkers who see the health of our planet as THE priority. His time may have finally come and he'll be
ready and willing...an excellent potential leader for the time.

[walkthewalkorstfu]

86. No PMRC Al Needs no keep his hat out of the ring

If he does run he will only take away votes from Hillary which IMHO is a good thing more votes for Sanders!

[GoneOffShore]

87. Cant say it. Won't say it.

He's always reminded me of Alben W. Barkley.

[B Calm]

96. Will Lieberman be his running mate?

[Iggo]

99. Black Lives Matter.

Feel The Bern.

Ready For Hillary.

That ain't enough for ya?

[Octafish]

101. Thank you for the heads-up, Lodestar.

If there's one guy who can put an end to the fascist crazy, it's Albert Gore, Jr.

[1939]

103. Gore and Biden

Are way, way behind on organization and fund raising. They couldn't compete with the Clinton organization and ground game. Unless Hillary is badly injured by something out of Benghazi or another peccadillo or unless she exhibits health problems, Gore and Biden will stay out. If Hillary falters, the establishment will trot out Biden or Gore as an alternative to Bernie.

[JustAnotherGen]

105. No I want to see

Leadership that's not 'of the past'. That's part (a very very tiny part) of me not supporting Clinton and most definitely - Bush.

Then again - I'd like to see every single person in Congress up for re-election next year sent home. Pipe dream - but a girl can dream can't she?

[DrDan]

106. his choice of lieberman rules him out imo

to put that guy potentially second-in-line was a disastrous decision

[Javaman]

107. yeah, I'll commense with the holding of the breath now.

[Pisces]

109. No, he isn't running.

[ladyVet]

112. I've been saying it since 2000.

As far as I was concerned, he won then and had it stolen from him by an illegal Supreme Court Ruling.

I like Al Gore, but what we need in this country right now is Bernie Sanders. And lots more like him in Congress. He might make a good EPA leader, though.

[Sunlei]

115. I hope he "runs" to have more media exposure about global warming and other important issues.

[MoonRiver]

116. I adore Al Gore, but I doubt he would put himself through the meat grinder again.

More's the pity though.

[rhett o rick]

117. I think more candidates dilutes the messages they each have. The more candidates will

give the Conservative-Media more excuse to ignore Sen Sanders. I would like to keep the field small.

[hamsterjill]

119. I agree with you.

As much as I love Al Gore (and Joe Biden), I really don't want to see the Democrats become the circus that is the GOP.