John Nichols: An Oscar and An Announcement? Don't Bet On it (The Nation)

BLOG | Posted 02/25/2007 @ 2:33pm
An Oscar and an Announcement? Don't Bet On It

John Nichols

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich was, arguably, the best member of Bill Clinton Cabinet, and he ran a credible campaign for governor of Massachusetts a few years back. But tonight's Academy Awards program is likely to prove that he's better at making predictions about show business than politics.

Reich argued in a recent web comment that, "The odds are better than 50-50 that Al Gore's 'Inconvenient Truth' will win an Oscar for best documentary at next Sunday's Academy Awards. The odds are better than one in three that, when accepting the Oscar, and while being watched by 29 million people, Gore will announce he is running for president in 2008."

Reich is half right. "An Inconvenient Truth" is clearly the frontrunner in the best documentary category.

In fact, if "An Inconvenient Truth" loses tonight, Gore might want to ask for the full recount that he would have been wise to demand in Florida back in November of 2000.

But, if Gore wins the Oscar, he will use his speech to make a smart, graceful comment about the need to address global warming. Conscious that he is in the spotlight, and more than willing to playfully stoke speculation about a possible bid for the 2008 Democratic nomination, he will use the moment to appear presidential -- rather than to launch a presidential bid. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=169355

us Mitt.

I agree that Gore shouldn't use that venue, unless he's sure they'd give him the REST OF THE NIGHT to do it---and that won't happen. There needs to be a speech that goes along with an announcement, and there's no time for that before the music starts playing the "toss the bum off" theme music.

About the only thing that is remotely possible is if Gore says he'll be "speaking in a few days about a return to public life" or something of that nature....a little tease, a foreshadowing, perhaps...but not an announcement.

I've said elsewhere in this forum that if Gore gets in, I'm no longer undecided. He'll get my money and my time, again.

Even when he was the veep, he was the one I really wanted as Prez.

I haven't seen the other films that are nominated, but from what I hear they are all really well done. An Inconvenient Truth certainly has a good chance of winning, but it is not quite sure bet I think that some people think it is. Most people have not seen the other documentaries, and it is always much easier to root for the film you know. The problem is however that many of the academy voters have seen the other films, and many of them like to cast votes they hope will bring more attention to a smaller film which not many have seen.

I would not be surprised if An Inconvenient Truth wins, but for now I am keeping my expectations low.

It figures to be one of the more interesting categories tonight.

Now there's some irony, if gay hating gay pastor Ted is actually rooting for Al Gore!!

Ted had some 'issues' with the movie, too, before his 'issues' came to light: http://www.jesuscampthemovie.com/haggard_response.html

That's some irony for ya!!

anyway.

cable and I don't have cable. I'll just have to stay tuned to DU, I guess.

This is one program I really wanted to see, too. I hope Gore's film wins the award. This would make 'An Inconvenient Truth' a MUST for everyone in the world to see.

All this breathless drama queen shit about Al announcing tonight if he wins, or if he has lost weight, or if he has shaved his pubic hair off and started parting his hair in the middle.

If he announces, you are gonna know it because you are gonna hear about the phone calls he has been making for support. He knows full well how the game is played.

That all said, Run, Mr. Gore. Please. Pretty please with a cherry on top.