Do you think Al Gore wants to run?

[charlyvi]

Gore would be the ideal candidate, in my mind. He has the smarts, the experience, and the sense of mission that could bring us out of this hell the bush administration has condemned us to. He has the political savvy, with no naivete or illusions, to confront the major problems of our day. He gets it that climate change could destroy our planet and its civilizations, or, at the minimum, condemn us to life strangling poverty. He knows the worth of our American legacy, the same legacy that shrub is burying under the cowardly excuse of "security". Gore knows the Declaration of Independence, the Constution, and the Bill of Rights are part of the fragile experiment that created our national identity. He knows this, I think, more than any candidate now running knows it. And the people elected him once, and were robbed of this treasure.

But then is then and now is now. Gore has now devoted himself to bringing the catastrophic consequences of climate change to the public. And he is doing a very good job. Some would say his message would be diluted if political aspirations were injected into it. Others would say that he can do more for climate change as President than he can do as a private citizen. There are good points pn each side of the argument.

However, does Gore really want to run? Does he have the fire in the belly? Or does he owe the nation his candidacy, even if he would rather remain a private citizen on a most important mission? I don't know. What are your thoughts?

[wryter2000]

I sure wish he would run

I don't know if it's a good idea for him to do it if he doesn't want to.

[William769]

1. I would like to see him run.

Will he? Thats anybodys guess.

[aquart]

2. I don't care. I want him to run. ME.

That's what matters.

[Pathwalker]

3. No, I don't think he wants to "run". I believe him when

he says he's tired of the visciousness in American politics, and when he says he's devoted to the cause of saving our planet. I also believe he's the person America needs the most, right now.

[Taverner]

4. Nope

As VP and Prez Cand he was

...lied about by the media
...had to live under constant security
...worried about his family being targets
...constantly trashed by people on all sides
...forced to comprimise his own ideals to win

Since entering his new role he has

...been lauded all over the world as a voice of reason
...been honored by many film festivals, including the Oscars
...been invited to many productive sessions on climate change

You tell me - which would you rather do?

[Deep13]

5. No. I think he might think he has a duty to run.

No sane person wants to run.

[Zensea]

6. He does not owe the nation his candidacy, I know that

regarding your other questions I have no way of knowing for sure.
I do know that he owes us nothing though.

[SharonRB]

7. I really hope he does

A prominent political columnist for the Chicago Trib, who has also appeared on Hardball, The McLaughlin Group and other TV shows, spoke at our annual meeting from work yesterday. A had a chance to speak to him afterwards and asked him if he thought Gore would run. He feels that if Hillary stumbles at all and it appears that she's losing support, he will jump into the race. This was great news to me -- we all know that historically, anyone this far ahead this early never winds up being the candidate.

I think he may just be biding his time and waiting for the right moment. That's probably a wise choice, although I'd love nothing more than for him to accept his Oscar and at the end of his acceptance speech hear him say he's announcing his candidacy. A dream, I know, but I'd love to see that happen.

Run, Al, Run! I'm not giving up hope.

[ronnykmarshall]

8. No he doesn't.

He's stated that over and over.

[demnan]

9. Al Gore was raised on the idea that it was his duty

to run for President. His father ran unsuccessfully and instilled that dream in the son. Al Gore grew up spending half the year in a hotel in downtown D.C., surrounded by his much older parents and no young people. His only sister was about 15 years older than he. So the campaign Gore, the stiff, humorless Gore is the one he learned to project as a Senator's son when he was a child.

I think its important to know certain things like this about Al Gore. Perhaps he feels he has fulfilled his duty to his father by running in 2000. Now he can be more his own natural self and I think he now is fulfilling his duty to his children by working on the Global Warming issue. He seems much happier in that role.

I don't think he will run again.

[Janice325]

10. I wish he would run and win-again!!

I certainly don't think of him as without a sense of humor anymore. Check out this clip from Saturday Night Live from May, 2006. I think his appearance wasn't announced in advance. Al's clip from SNL is toward the bottom of the page. I hope you enjoy it half as much as I do.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/05/14.html

[Rosemary2205]

11. No, I don't think Al Gore is a liar.

He has said nine ways to Sunday that he doesn't want to run. I believe him and don't understand why some on DU think Al is lying.


As for Al Gore "owing the nation" anything. I have absolutely no idea why Al Gore would OWE you or me anything. It's HIS life. Not OURS. Wow.

[crispini]

12. Only Al Gore knows.

He's always been very careful to leave the door open that 5%. Is that coyness and a way of getting media attention, or is it because there is a corner of a wish?

Being a candidate is a heady, heady brew. It's an incredible combination of pride and vulnerability. You are IN the glare -- which is fun, and terrifying at the same time. And there is always the strategic excitement of "the game" which comes with trying to get elected. As well as the soul-searching that comes with it, the questioning: Am I really the right person for the job? Am I doing this for me, or because I really want to be a servant of the people?

It's terrifingly addictive and potent. There's a good reason why Al says he's a "recovering" politician -- it's like a drug. Everybody who has done that will always wish, with some small corner of their being, to go back there. Whether or not they act on it is another question.

[saltpoint]

13. I imagine he feels the Bush-Cheney-Rove cartel cheated him

out of the presidency.

I believe he's right on that count.

I was a Bradley delegate in 2000 but I think Gore was wildly qualified for the top job, and I'm guessing he would like to prove he's worthy of the people's true vote that year and occupy the Oval Office.

But he needs a way in. It's a crowded field. An open race this time on both sides. He's a titan, but he's got more to lose early on than many other candidates. He's a Democrat and would want the blessing of his party.

I believe he can out-campaign Senator Clinton, and hold his own on the debate stage with nearly anybody. If I've always been pro-Bradley, I've never been anti-Gore. I could see him placing high or even first in Iowa and New Hampshire and going on to win the nomination.

He has a lot of loyal followers and they'd cast their votes his way if he jumped in.

[rock]

14. Probably not

It would be a thankless job of shoveling shit. He's done his duty and run once (and won). If he's to run again WE will have to convince him that 1) we really need him, and 2) we'll count the votes this time. In his place I'd be less than interested.

[jz88keys]

15. Al Gore IS THE best candidate!

As someone who has followed and respected Al Gore throughout
his careers, both public and private, I have been a dedicated
supporter. I have also met him personally, and can attest to
the fact that he is sensitive, intelligent, well-versed on all
of the issues, has a world of experience, and has an aura of
greatness about him. Please join us in our quest to correct
the mistakes of history, and help Al Gore gain the
presidency... to the benefit of us all.  

[charlyvi]

16. Welcome to DU jz88keys!

And thank you for your reply.

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. Yes.

And if I could, I would turn back the clock of time and find a way to warn him in 1998, not to pick Lieberman as a running mate, and not to run away from Bill Clinton.

I would also tell him that he was right about Airport security and not to underestimate the Republican networks in Florida, nor the Washington Republican beltway boys.

[WI_DEM]

18. I think he wants to be president, but isn't sure he wants to put up with the slings and arrows of

another campaign.

[mitchtv]

19. I would love it if he ran, but

I don't think it's gonna happen. I would like to see him head up the EPA, however.

[porphyrian]

20. Ask him, not us. Unless you think he's here... - n/t

[Son Of Spy]

21. The person who should lead.

...is the one who doesn't really want the job.

Gore should run and I think we will

[theboss]

22. I am now confused on Gore

Prior to about 2003, I thought he was a fully realized political being. Every inch of his being was geared towards being elected.

Now...I'm not so sure. It's almost like he's undergone a religious conversion of some kind.

And maybe that is the reason he should run, because he no longer needs to be elected, but wants to be elected.

[JNelson6563]

23. Just when the catepillar thought it was the end

It turned into a butterfly.

:toast:

[charlyvi]

24. Wonderful metaphor. n/t

[CabalPowered]

25. After listening to him in Boise this week, I'm not so sure.

I think he likes his current role and I'm not sure he wants to subject himself to the machinations of a campaign. I also noticed that they were very vigilant about there being no photos or autograph requests. I also know a few that were at the reception and they noted that he seemed very relaxed and seemed very happy.