Will you support a "Draft Gore" for president campaign?

[The Sushi Bandit]

We need to unify the party.

Clinton is the poster child for the Re-puke hate machine, Edwards is too young, Clark is too "militaristic", Kucinich is too Vegan, no-one trusts anyone from congress except Conyers and the great black lady from Texas who's name escapes me (sorry, its late).

Sen. Byrd is too old (or is he?) and all the other senators have a lot of baggage..

So what do you think?? He wont run but we can draft him, Right?

[Name removed]

1. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Scooter24]

2. I would in a heartbeat...

His passion is what makes me like him.

[funflower]

3. You noticed I like Al?

He won before; let's let him win again.

[OneBlueSky]

4. yes, yes, a thousand times yes! . . .

the only Democrat even approaching telling the truth? . . . you betcha! . . .

[liberal N proud]

5. I need to keep my options open - We have congressional elections first

There has to be some one that will suddenly stand out and we can all go WOW! about.
Yes I think Gore would make a great President and the recent speeches he has given, that is stronger. But for 08, I am still holding out.
We need to get the Democrats back in control of Congress first, Think 2006 then 2008.

[The Sushi Bandit]

68. kick that thought

[TriMetFan]

69. Will said. Think Nov. 2006 first, then 2008.

[merbex]

6. Just tell me where to sign up n/t

[Kahuna]

7. Absolutely. In a heartbeat. Gore/Clark in 08!

nt

[TexasProgresive]

8. I will support any Democratic candidate,

however, senators have a dismal record of winning the White House. Govenors do much better. So I voted other in your poll.

[Kahuna]

26. I believe "Vice Presidents" trump senators AND govenors.

nt

[JNelson6563]

9. You left out a "Hell yes!" option

I'm just sayin'. :toast:

[AtomicKitten]

37. yep, I was looking for hell yes myself. NT

[The Sushi Bandit]

60. Im voting for the Hell Yes option!

[mandyky]

10. Other - No, not a draft

If Gore wants to run and decides to run a better and different campaign than he did in 2000, I want him to run. To become president someone must want it, and fight tooth and nail, and I want a candidate that wants it, and will fight.

[NYCGirl]

13. Read this:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002/06/29/gore-retreat.htm

Too bad the party asked him not to run in 2004.

[mandyky]

23. That's encouraging!

Hopefully, if he decides to run, he sticks to it!

[Kahuna]

27. If Gore had run in 2004 bush would be defending himself at the Hague.

nt

[Guaranteed]

58. Damn- He "got it" back in 2000 freaking 2. nt

[pstans]

11. Gore, Feingold, Dean

Are my top choices.


http://www.russforpresident.com

[The Sushi Bandit]

12. 55 to 20.. that a large majority so far..

[NYCGirl]

14. In a New York minute! NT

[napi21]

15. I said no, because I think the Gore we are seeing NOW is not

candidate Gore! He isn't running for anything, so he doesn't have to pander to anyone. If he ticks off one group or another, he doesn't care now. As a candidate, that would all change, and I think you'd be disappointed.

[NYCGirl]

17. That's not what Gore says —

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002/06/29/gore-retreat.htm

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Al Gore told top Democratic fund-raisers Saturday that the party's 2000 campaign had too many consultants and that if he runs for president again he will speak from the heart and "let it rip."

Reporters were barred from the meetings, but aides and others said Gore promised a different kind of campaign than the Democrats ran in 2000, when he lost to George W. Bush.

Gore said that campaign had "too much strategy, too many consultants giving too much advice," said Chris Korge, a party fund-raiser from Miami.

"If he were to do this again ... he would not be so guarded. He would let it rip and let the chips fall where they may," Korge quoted Gore as saying.

[Steve A Play]

31. That's funny, I remember Al letting it rip against Bush Sr. back in 1992

when he was a Senator running for Vice President. :)

It didn't stop him then and I don't see why running for office would stop him from speaking out now!

SPEECH BY SENATOR AL GORE
Center for National Policy
September 29, 1992

One of the most important questions in this campaign involves the
judgment of the candidates on foreign policy. The American people
know the world is full of unexpected surprises and dangers -- and as
a result they want to know whether or not a president can handle
these uncertainties, recognize unanticipated dangers, and realize
when national policy must be changed to reflect new realities. The
American people also want to know whether or not they can count on
their president to tell them the truth.

President Bush, in his handling of our policy toward Iraq, has failed
all these tests, and failed them badly. His poor judgment, moral
blindness and bungling policies led directly to a war that should
never have taken place. And because of his naivete and lack of
candor, U.S. taxpayers are now stuck with paying the bill for $1.9
billion President Bush gave to Saddam Hussein even though top
administration officials were repeatedly told Saddam was using our
dollars to buy weapons technology. Bush, of course, believes that
the war with Iraq was his finest hour as the organizer and leader of
a vast coalition of armed forces, united for the purpose of
frustrating the designs of an evil dictator.

But the war with Iraq had deep roots, and if George Bush's
prosecution of the war is part of his record, so too is his
involvement in the diplomacy which led to it, both in the Reagan/Bush
era, and far more so, during his presidency when he accelerated
foreign aid and the sale of weapons technology to Iraq -- right up
until the invasion of Kuwait -- in spite of repeated warnings that
anyone with common sense would have had no difficulty understanding.

The path leading us to that war, and the path which the President has
followed after, are deeply shadowed in profound error, in duplicity,
and in amoral disregard for our most basic values as a nation. There
is also substantial evidence that his administration intentionally
falsified export records, and reports to Congress -- and in the
process apparently violated a number of laws intended to prevent such
horrendous mistakes.

Nineteen months ago, President Bush called Saddam Hussein a new
Hitler who had to be stopped at all costs. Yet today, that same
tyrant remains firmly in power, resisting by every means the will of
the international community. No wonder so many Americans ask
themselves whether our victory over Saddam will ultimately prove an
illusion.

<more>

http://www.mit.edu/afs/net/user/tytso/usenet/nptn/campaign92/dems/15

He won't have to tweak this one too much to reuse it. :)

Steven P. :kick:

[napi21]

35. I guess he must have lost that speech in 2000.

I sure don't remember hearing anything like that then!

I guess he can say he learned from the 2000 election that the handlers aren't always right and he would do things differently if he ran again. I'm just not sure I'm willing to stake a another possible Pub rule on his new found "speak your heart" philosophy.

[Steve A Play]

36. "New found" my ass!

If Al found out anything "new" it was in 2000 when he learned not to trust the party leadership or their 'advisers'. :)

I've known Al since 1982 when he was my representative back in Tennessee. The guy you remember from the 2000 election was not the Al Gore I've known, followed, and respected for decades. You can fool him once but you can be sure he won't get fooled again.

Steven P. :kick:

[marions ghost]

76. so would the party leadership still accept him now?

if he doesnt trust them...or what would it take to get them to go with him?

[Uncle Joe]

16. The Sushi Bandit,

your name makes me hungry.

Kicked and nominated.



:kick:

[The Sushi Bandit]

41. Mahalo!

that's thanks in hawaiian!

[goddess40]

18. Gore/Feingold

then Feingold/Obama when Gore's done with his 8 years

[radio4progressives]

21. Yes... that would be an awesome Duo. unlike LIE-berman..

[NeuvoLiberal]

82. great plan!

although the much admired gentleman from Vermont would be my favored choice of a running mate for Gore, a Gore/Feingold ticket would also be incredible. Gore/Obama also seems to be a hot ticket in town.

[Aristedemus]

19. Draft Gore?

I could go for summa dat...

[Kahuna]

28. Welcome to DU!!!

:hi:

[radio4progressives]

20. The Great Black Lady from Texas is Sheila Jackson Lee

And I completely agree, she is most certainly a Great Lady. a Great Warrior fighting hard for socio-justice and equality, and the protection of all our civil liberties.

[catmother]

25. i've always liked her, but what does that have to do with drafting

gore?

[justabob]

43. nothing.....comment in the OP about trusting people in congress

'that black lady from Texas' mentioned as trustworthy

[erpowers]

22. Last Year

I really wish he would have run for president last year. I really think things would have been different if he had run.

[guidod]

24. I would definitely support Gore...

...Gore/Feingold is my choice for 2008. After some of the threads I've read today I agree with you 100% about "we need to unify the party".

[Neil Lisst]

29. Draft? NO. Welcome? YES.

I like Al. He's battle tested. I know who he will be now and forever. I don't have to wonder if he'll suddenly change his long-standing beliefs and start running the other direction.

I think he could win in 08.

He's on my short of list those who could successfully lead us.

But I don't believe in drafts. Either he runs or he doesn't. If they don't have the fire in their belly for the fight, drafting them won't give it to them.

[The Sushi Bandit]

67. havnt some of the best presidents been drafted by their party?

[Totally Committed]

30. He was in government, now he's out. He's said he won't run.

I need to know that the next nominee of the Democratic Party WANTS TO BE PRESIDENT ENOUGH TO GET DOWN IN THE MUD AND FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL FOR IT. If he opts in HIMSELF, and ends up with the nomination, then we'll talk.

TC

[AlGore-08.com]

34. He hasn't ruled out a run; there are new rumors that he's considering it

http://www.observer.com/20060130/20060130_Ben_Smith_pageone_coverstory1.asp

Gore Is Bigger Than Ever!

By Ben Smith

(snip)

Two prominent Democrats said that Mr. Gore didn’t discourage them when they raised the prospect of another run. And in some circles, Mr. Gore suddenly appears not just possible but unavoidable. In the new mix of power, money and ideology organized around Ms. David and Arianna Huffington in Los Angeles, in the burgeoning liberal blogosphere and among some of the former Vice President’s old friends, Mr. Gore appears the only alternative to Hillary Clinton. That is rich with irony—more than a decade ago, Mrs. Clinton was Mr. Gore’s foil in the internal squabbles of the Clinton White House.

“What has happened in Hollywood and around the country is, everybody who sees his presentation on global warming is just blown away—and it isn’t a real reach to think that he represents real vision and leadership in the White House, as opposed to what we have now,” said Roy Neel, a longtime senior aide to Mr. Gore who is still close to the former Vice President. Mr. Neel added that Mr. Gore has told him he isn’t running for President now—though Mr. Neel also said that “he would certainly be my candidate if he ran, and I think he’d make a hell of a President.

“It’s no surprise that people spend a little time with him, get enthusiastic and say, ‘Damn! He’d make one fine President.’”

(more... )

[Totally Committed]

45. So if he decides to run HIMSELF, and gets the nomination,

and remains free of the DLC, we'll talk. He's a good man. But, as of now, if he runs, the primaries will see me supporting Wes Clark.

I'm pretty much sour on "politicians", Democratic or otherwise at the moment. And, I loathe the DLC. When I'm not so pissed off, maybe I can offer you more in the way of opinion.

TC

[pstans]

32. Petition supporting Gore to run in 08

If you think Gore should run in 2008, sign this position...
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/303874397

[Douglas Carpenter]

33. I sincerely and dispassionately believe Gore would be the best candidate

this has nothing to do with who I might actually agree with the most on issues -- I simply believe that Al Gore would be the most unifying of all potential candidates and he seems to have learned how to speak in public in the last few years.

[cry baby]

38. I hope he will decide to run. nt

[autorank]

39. I support it 100%!!! Get this link around. Real coverage of the DC speech

Al Gore’s Devastating Indictment of President Bush

Superb summary...but then again, I'm not a neutral observer (I wrote it;)

Speak the truth, spread the truth, fight for the truth.

The full text of the January 16, 2006 speech at DC's Constitution Hall

Strongly RECOMMENDED

[BigBearJohn]

40. Gore finally found his MOJO... He's got my vote 100%

[babsbunny]

42. After His Speech on MLK Day

I, like many of the rest of you sent him a hand written letter with a dollar or more. My faith was restored, and I had hope again.

[MelissaB]

44. Count me in!

[OnionPatch]

46. Yes, I certainly would

In fact, I've already written two snail mail letters to him, one in 2003 begging him to run in '04 and one just recently, asking him to run in '08. Personally, I believe he does *want* to run but he's not going to let that come ahead of his speaking the truth anymore. This is what makes me just love Gore post-2000. Before that I was luke-warm to a Gore presidency. This time I'd work my behind off as if the world depended on it. (And it just might!)

There are other candidates I like. Clark is one and I think he'd make an excellent Vice President for President Gore. :) Maybe he's just what we need to clean up our military messes and bring our armed services back to what they were meant to do; serve and protect the country, not a handful of multinational corporations.

[tomreedtoon]

47. Gore is the wrong choice...but the others are no better.

I'm still waiting for one candidate for President - just one - to sound like they want to win. That they're willing to speak truth to power.

Every Democratic convention mentions Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but every year he and his driven sense of purpose keep getting pushed back further and further, as if the Party was ashamed of it.

And frankly, no matter how mnay fund-raising speeches Gore makes to confirmed Democrats, he isn't talking to the people he needs to address - all those other folks who were duped into voting for Bush. Until he gets their attention (and he's never shown much interest in doing so, or the ability) he won't have a chance of winning.

[Ignis]

48. The Kooch is too vegan?

No worries there, he's definitely under government surveilance and will be in an eco-terrorist holding facility soon.

Nothing to see here. Move along, citizen.

[The Sushi Bandit]

54. I supported Dennis for 2004

but i must admit that he is too progressive for the majority of idiot americans who vote

[greiner3]

49. I voted for him once;

Well, I live in Ohio so that may be up for grabs, and I'd vote for him again. Tell me how, on the Liebold machines, and I'll vote for him a LOT of times. :rofl:

[Larkspur]

50. Yes, I'd support Gore in a heartbeat.

[sirjohn]

51. Why not? It's practically his birthright and

he already won three times (2 VP and 1 POTUS).

[lakeguy]

52. yup, count this guy in!

[dysfunctional press]

53. definitely NOT- the press would be merciless to him.

I would never want to push him into that rnc-controlled meatgrinder.

[ninkasi]

55. I voted for him once before

I would gladly vote for him again. I love Al Gore.

[The Sushi Bandit]

56. 150 to 54... good numbers for Draft Gore!!

[theophilus]

57. I think Al Gore is great but I think the deck would be stacked

against him. I hope he is used in the next Dem administration. He would be a great in all matters of the Environment, etc. My prayer is to be transported to the alternate universe where he was allowed to take office in 2000. I know it is a better place.

[Warren DeMontague]

59. I'm with the "Hell Yes" contingent

And whatever other expletives you want to throw in there.

[Mme. Defarge]

61. Actually, he HAS to run in '08

because I'm workin' on his campaign!

[Swamp Rat]

62. Yes, I support President Gore.

:kick:

[laugle]

84. Hi Swamp--glad to see you here,

I sent you a PM at Xmas, but never heard back from you.

Hope all is well with you and your family after the Katrina disaster.

Peace to you.......Laura

DRAFT GORE SOUNDS GOOD TO ME!

[sproutster]

63. Yes I totally support it.

He is currently one of the few I trust. I really really trust.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

64. Held my nose and voted for him 2000. Now no nose holding required.

After his magnificant speech, I'd love to see him run.

[El Fuego]

65. I participated in the Draft Gore movement back in 2002

My personal theory back then was that Gore had announced that he wasn't running because the democratic leadership wanted him to be DRAFTED. I thought that would make him a stronger candidate.

We tried to draft him for 2004, but obviously it didn't work. It was very disappointing.

[The Sushi Bandit]

66. 165 to 58!

gets better and better

[architect359]

70. Yes. I would. n/t

[dchill]

71. I, too, support "drafting" President Gore.

[The Sushi Bandit]

72. Kick

[Uncle Joe]

73. I am curious as to why

this thread says 79 posts on the forum, however, I only see 72?

[The Sushi Bandit]

77. I think it is from the deleted sub-thread #1

the mods didnt like what someone said!

[Dr Fate]

74. yes. I'm supporting Kerry, but I'd love to see Gore give competition.

n/t

[AtomicKitten]

75. Gore will be the uniter

of the Democrats, that is.

[sendero]

78. I love Al Gore..

... but hasn't he made his position on this abundantly clear.

Seriously, I know sometimes politicians can be "coy" about their intentions, but having read Mr. Gore's numerous statements on the subject, I think he is 100% disinterested in a presidential bid.

[gulliver]

79. No. His last speech was brilliantly written, but the delivery ...

... was mediocre. Gore has guts. I like him and voted for him. He is a funny man and a very intelligent man. But he is just too self-conscious...to proud. He is better educated than most Americans, and he can't help but act like it. The passion that inspires him to write terrific lines in his speeches doesn't emerge when he speaks. He gets "peeved" but he can't seem to get angry ... or at least to act anger well. With Clark and a very few others, there isn't any acting going on. Gore lacks presence. Vague enough?

[Emillereid]

80. If I could run the zoo for just a little while, I'd make Gore our

candidate and leading spokesperson RIGHT NOW! We wouldn't need primaries because I'd ask every democrat from sea to shining sea to just once have the discipline to get behind one candidate and one set of ideas.

Why Gore?:

1. Because he was elected President and deserves the call-back.

2. Because he has the experience, name recognition, political following already.

3. Because he is NOT contaminated with any pro-war votes -- and could honestly and forthrightly provide a true opposition to the Repukes!

4. It appears that his time in the wilderness has cleared his mind and heart -- he has found his voice -- and its clear and true! I think he knows now not to listen to the political class.

5. He is one of the few politicians who seems to GET IT!! -- that is the critical moment this is in American and human history. We are at a precipice in so many ways: politically, constitutionally, environmentally, energy wise, etc. He is a BIG Picture kind of leader. And we desperately need him NOW! These are not normal times -- and we just can't afford any more democratic party dithering.

[Bluesplayer]

81. Gore can only run in 2008

He'd be a one-term president, because after winning in 2008, the republican controlled Supreme Court would rule in favor of the RNC's suit claiming that since Gore already won the popular vote in 2000, he's limited to just one term.

[NeuvoLiberal]

83. i am not sure why this argument pops up from time to time,

but let's take a look at exactly what the constitution says.

The amendment that restricts the number of terms is Amendement XXII, Section 1 which stipulates:

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President, when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

While Gore won the popular vote in 2000 (and almost certainly was robbed of his victory in Florida), technically he wasn't "elected to the office", as described in Article II, Section 1, which requires him to have won the majority of the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._presidential_election,_2000#Disputes">electoral college vote that took place on Jan 6, 2001 in the US Congress, which he didn't.

[Bluesplayer]

89. This time it popped up in humor

I thought that the irony of having the republicans arguing that Gore WAS elected in 2000 (in order to limit his potential future presidential terms) was funny. And, I wouldn't put it past them...

[saltpoint]

85. I don't think Edwards is too young or Byrd too old. And I love Kucinich.

But to your question of a Gore draft, yes, I'd support one. That isn't to say I would thereby exclude any other candidate, only to say Gore has won my respect. I have not been hogwild about him as Clinton's veep but since 2000 Al Gore has towered over the Republicans and given them the what-for like nobody's business.

If Gore enters the race after coaxing, more consultations, and maybe a draft movement, he will effectively challenge Senator Clinton's current front-runner's status in the race.

[TankLV]

86. Absolutely.

I would support Gore light years before I would another Kerry run.

[mdmc]

87. Gore + Clinton 2008

:kick:

[saltpoint]

88. Sheila Jackson Lee? She's pretty terrific. Anyway on a potential

run by Al Gore, he would have to have some assurances from state party operatives and several big donors that this would not be a fool's errand.

If he was persuaded that a formidable team was onboard, I believe he would go for it and give the ruthless rightwing nut John McCain a run for his money.

It would be a cliff-hanger, though. If Gore thought 2000 was close, wait til he goes head-to-head with McCain in New Hampshire and Ohio in 08.

[mdmc]

90. here is a Bernie Saunders video link

:kick:
http://www.canofun.com/cof/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=17297