Al Gore on "a position in a hypothetical Obama administration"..."I don't think it's the best idea"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Gore Surprises Netroots Nation, Says Not Eager To Serve In Obama Cabinet (VIDEO)



July 19, 2008 12:20 PM

A surprise guest at Netroots Nation in Austin, Texas, former vice president Al Gore diplomatically skirted around a question of whether he would take a position in a hypothetical Obama administration.

Without offering much in the way of a definitive answer his response was, in essence, that he felt he could do more to advance climate policy outside of government, not in it.

"I am really honored by the suggestion that some have made that I would consider taking a position of some kind in the next administration, and I want to convey my respect for the idea even as I explain why I don't think it's the best idea," said Gore. "The best use of talents and experience I have gained in my life is to expand the political space in which these members and politicians address the climate crisis."

"I am devoting my life to bring about a see change in public opinion, across party lines, that supports the truly massive policy change that we have to have," he said.

Gore's response to the Obama question was one of the few times he weighed into the presidential race. He did, however, offer sharp opinions on some of the policy debates currently being waged between Obama and John McCain on energy issues; mainly ripping the presumptive Republican nominee's proposal to lift the federal moratorium on off-shore drilling and offer consumers a gas tax holiday.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/19/gore-surprises-netroots-n_n_113789.html

[hisownpetard]

1. He wants to bring about a "sea change," literally and figuratively.

I think he's had it with politics, and who can blame him?
He's very smart to know where he can do the most amount of good and to stick to it.
He has already done a tremendous service to the world at large.
We owe him, big time!

[Amerigo Vespucci]

2. He knows what he wants to accomplish, so he has every right to mark himself as not available

I thought he graciously fielded the "what if" question, but he does have his own agenda. If Obama wants to put some weight behind what he's already doing, I'm sure that Gore would appreciate it. Other than that, as Hank Williams Junior once sang, the best thing to do would be to "leave that boy alone and let him sing his songs."

By the way, I got the client I told you about. She signed the contract on Thursday. Wa-hoo.

:toast:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. uhmmm --

d'oh

[SharonRB]

4. Al Gore in the house!

I got to see him in person twice in the last month.

:woohoo:

It was an amazing surprise to us all (although rumors had been flying and I found out before the event started.)

[MonkeyFunk]

5. I don't think there's any surprise there

He's clearly not interested in government anymore.

[Uncle Joe]

6. I believe you took that a step too far, reread this paragraph.

"I am really honored by the suggestion that some have made that I would consider taking a position of some kind in the next administration, and I want to convey my respect for the idea even as I explain why I don't think it's the best idea," said Gore. "The best use of talents and experience I have gained in my life is to expand the political space in which these members and politicians address the climate crisis."

Even if he doesn't reenter government as a career, he's clearly interested in government.

[MonkeyFunk]

7. yes

I meant he's not personally interested in serving in government.