BBC interview with Al Gore, Feb 16th 2007

[Jeanette in FL]

http://search.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/search/results.pl?tab=all&go=homepage&q=al+gore&scope=all&Search.x=27&Search.y=11


It is on the top right hand side of the page.

At the end of the interview, he says he has no intentions on running for elected office and cannot see any circumstance where he would. But he did not say categorically NO or that he would not serve if drafted. So I am still optimistic.

[AtomicKitten]

1. that isn't a Shermanesque no IMO

maybe that's wishful thinking but it is what it is .... if ever Gore contemplated a re-do, his popularity has never been higher and demand for a re-do greater .... I hope he is listening

[Jeanette in FL]

2. Agree

There is no reason in the world for Al to throw his hat in the ring at this early juncture. In the meantime his reputation and credibility are growing by leaps and bounds all over the world.

He has all the time in the world at this point. With all the campaigning and vieing for top of the democratic presidential ticket, there will be so much mudslinging and smearing. The American people will be sick of all of them by the time November 2008 comes around.

He is wise to stay out of the fray, yet still be very visible and significant.

[DavidDvorkin]

3. I don't know what to think

I've never been good at parsing the public statements of politicians. In Gore's case, I vacillate between thinking he really does mean that he won't run and thinking that he means he's still open to the idea, depending on various conditions.

I also know that I've been depressed since the 2000 election. No, actually, I've been depressed since the 1980 election. No, wait, I've been depressed since the 1968 election. Or the two assassinations of 1968, or the assassination of 1963. And I'm really tired of it.

[Jeanette in FL]

5. Isn't that the truth

Oh boy, that is an excellent assessment of our lives.

I've been really depressed since the 2000 election. I lived in Palm Beach County at the time of the 2000 election and I will never get over it.

I was protesting everyday in front of the election supervisors office and the courthouse. I could not get one friend or one member of my family to join me. They all thought I was going crazy and that I was over fretting about Bush becoming president.

This is personal for me.

[SharonRB]

6. And then you found DU and knew you weren't alone.

I see you joined one day after I did. It's saved my life.

:hug:

[Jeanette in FL]

7. Oh yeah, it did

I had been a lurker here for years and then after the Kerry election and Skinner had to close the site to only registered members, I just about had a heart attack. I emailed him and he allowed me to come in. Thank goodness. I give to all the fundraisers because I never want to be locked out ever again. Especially in these trying times.

[SharonRB]

8. I didn't realize he had done that

I found DU right after the election and signed up immediately. I don't remember when I started donating, but it didn't take me too long. I just do a monthly thing all the time -- it's just easier.

I know what you mean about not wanting to get locked out.

I was posting to get folks to vote for Nancy Skinner in the DFA contest during the campaign and I was posting in all the forums to spread the word. After I had done a bunch of them, all of a sudden I was tombstoned. I freaked out! I e-mailed Skinner or Earl -- I thought maybe I had done something illegal. Turns out if you post too many times too quickly, the spam software locks you out automatically. We got it straightened out quickly and I was resurrected -- thank goodness! They told me just to wait a little longer between posts when I do something like that and I'll be fine.

[SharonRB]

4. So am I

My thinking is still thata if he were really serious about not running, he'd say so and get everyone to stop all the petitions, fundraising, etc. that he knows very well are going on. I think if he meant it, he'd get people to stop spending so much time and energy.

[marlakay]

9. Its hard not knowing

I wish I had a way of knowing for sure. I am one of those who will only fight for Gore and just vote dem with the rest. After the Kerry campaign I am mentally exhausted and won't go through that again for just anyone. I worked full time on campaign for 9 months, did out of state trips and worked with many different groups. I still can't believe our country would vote for Bush or not stand up together against the voting machines.

But the not knowing is starting to bug me, especially when he seems to get stronger on his no's or is that just me??

Did you guys read that article where his son was interviewed and said his dad is definitely not running? It was done in Dec so maybe he is just trying to slow people down but it just feels sort of hopeless. Hillary will pander too much to the right, Obama while nice doesn't have the experience, Edwards I am not sure what he would do but don't think he can beat Hillary.

[SharonRB]

10. I agree with what you say here about Hillary, Obama and Edwards

I also read that article, but it seems to contradict other things I've read recently, so I'm still holding out hope. There is no one else I will totally invest myself in at this point. If he doesn't run, I'll be hard pressed to decide who to vote for in our caucus next February. In the general, I will support whoever the Dem candidate is, but I probably won't work very hard for them. There's also a good chance I'll be heavily involved in a congressional race and may not have much time for the presidential campaign anyway.

Did you read the article that came out last week where a supposed insider thinks he'll jump in in September? That one gave me a lot of hope.

Keep the faith -- it's not over 'til it's over!

[DefenseLawyer]

11. He is running

If he wasn't he would say "I am not running for president" or "I can rule out categorically that I will be a candidate under any circumstances". It's not that tough to come up with a clear statement. Of course he is saying now that he has no "intention" to run. You are exactly right, he has absolutely nothing to gain by declaring his candidacy now. Every time I see Mr. Gore give another non-denial denial I feel better.

[SharonRB]

12. Exactly how I feel.

In 2004, he asked the Draft Gore movement people to stop because he wasn't going to run. One group didn't stop and he and his family were very upset with them.

This time, he knows all this work is going on behind the scenes and he hasn't asked anyone to stop. Says to me he's running, but he's waiting for the right time to jump in.

[Jeanette in FL]

13. Yep, until he says cease and desist

I will continue to fight for Gore. There is no reason in the world for him to jump in now. He is gaining popularity and credibility all over the world. You can't buy that kind of publicity.