There Is "A Very Good Chance That Former VP AL GORE Will Make A bid"-Quote By: U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney

OUR MEETING WITH MAHONEY

U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Palm Beach Gardens, met with our editorial board Wednesday for a freewheeling question-and-answer session. Among the congressman's comments:

* He has met individually with most of the 2008 Democratic candidates for the presidential nomination, but hasn't determined who he will endorse. Mahoney said there is "a very good chance" that former vice president Al Gore will make a bid. If Gore does, he will be "very formidable" because Gore has been "right" on his predictions about issues such as Iraq and global warming, Mahoney said.

* Mahoney says Illinois Sen. Oback Barama is "a good guy," but would not be his first choice because "what has he ever managed?" Mahoney said he has some of the same concerns about New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's management experience. As for Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Mahoney said "he knows how to manage, but he doesn't get people excited."

* If the Democrats are to win the 2008 presidential election and maintain their control of Congress, Mahoney says the party must do a better job of informing Americans what they have accomplished since the 2006 election. Democrats, Mahoney said, "have done a terrible job of explaining to Americans what we're doing, what our strategy is, and what are the dynamics that are going on in Congress."

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2007/sep/03/the-editors-view/

...what a corporatist, warmongering, Bush enabler Hillary has turned out to be.

I can't imagine that he would put her on the ticket.

There have been several polls that have included Gore, but none of them have shown him winning.

:rofl: :rofl:

And more coffee.

There is no way Al Gore would pick Hillary as his running mate.

If you don't believe me, just read what Al Gore said about Howard Dean in December 2003.

"Now, one other thing: I've spent a long time thinking about national security and national defense, and I've heard a lot of folks, who in my opinion made a judgment about the Iraq war that was just plain wrong, saying that Howard Dean's decision to oppose the Iraq war calls his judgment on foreign policy into question.

"Well, excuse me. He was the only major candidate who made the correct judgment about the Iraq war. And he had the insight and the courage to say and do the right thing. And that's important because those judgments, that basic common sense, is what you want in a president.

"Our country has been weakened in our ability to fight the war against terror because of the catastrophic mistake that the Bush administration made in taking us into war in Iraq. It was Osama bin Laden that attacked us, not Saddam Hussein."

http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0312/09/se.01.html

If you follow Gore's logic, then he would be more inclined to pick a running mate who has consistently opposed the Bu$h-Cheney policy towards Iraq. Someone like Barack Obama for instance.

i've been saying it for months, Gore/Obama or - even better - Gore/Edwards is the best realistic ticket we can get at this time.

go Al~!!

would have been a hell of a lot more exciting than Joe-mentum.

Edwards needs to be on this ticket somewhere. And the only one I'd put in front of him would be Gore.

PLEASE, let it be true! Gore/Edwards would be unbeatable.

From our lips to God's ears....

Welcome to DU, NavaNardis! :hi:

start WISHING, but that's almost gone... And a "dream is only a dream!"

MSM has DECIDED... it's Hillary and I take a HIKE! And should they succeed in getting her there, I WILL have to sit it out. I HONESTLY don't think she will be much different from any Repuke! And I don't say that lightly, I'm really really sorry it's come to this.

The very first time I was going to be able to vote, I sat it out... It would have been for LBJ... he did win, but I couldn't do it even though I had looked forward to my first GE election!

Write in someone's name if you have to but don't sit it out. There will be other issues on which to vote and other local, regional and state-wide elections. Don't let Hillary keep you from exercising your rights in the voting booth.

:shrug:

My dream ticket now would be Gore-Obama. However, one other choice would be Obama-Gore. That would allow Gore to avoid the hardship of being at the top of the ticket. He said he fell out of love with politics - he may not have the enthusiasm to take all of the abuse of being the Presidential candidate.

As VP, Gore could give gravitas and experience to Obama, while being able to pick and choose the issues he spent his time on. Therefore, he could concentrate on environmental issues at VP, without having to worry about the Presidential crisis of the day.

I originally liked Richardson's experience and moderate views. However, so far, he has not been a very exciting candidate. Also, he seems a little irresponsible in saying he would get all US troops out of Iraq immediately. I believe in a phased withdrawal over a year, starting immediately.

he's been there done that - and the likelyhood of Edwards running for VP is only a tad more likely...

> Would Hillary be willing to accept the bottom slot on the ticket?

No. She'd blow the party up before accepting that.

Tesha

:shrug:

n/t

I saw the LKL interview, and when Gore was asked about running for President,
he said, "I have no plans at this time to run for President".

I didn't hear him say "absolutely not". I could be mistaken, or maybe I
missed something, but I never heard that. There was also post-LKL discussion
on DU about what Gore said on the show.

No one mentioned "absolutely not".

Again, maybe you heard something that I missed. I'm really hoping that he
did not say that, so maybe I am biased! :)

than President.

That is why I think he is running. Why would he flat out say no to a cabinet position, but not be clear on running for president?

My guess is he would pick Clark because of his military
experience. After all, we'll still have troops in Iraq.

:shrug:

ahem, LIEberman

of senator from New York through 2012?

He wouldn't just be formidable, he'd win.

He's the one for whom I'm still holding out.

Straight to God's ears with this thread!!! And Gore's, too, for that matter.

Besides, that would wipe the smug, arrogant Hillary-hating or closet-racist smirks off the bad guys' faces in a flash. I think Gore would really scare them - because he does have so much good street cred, AND he beat them once already. All they've got on him are stale, moldy, seven-year-old slogans that don't apply anymore (if they even did back then). And by now, he's become an international rock star. Plus, I think there's a general impression across America that he's been VERY wronged, especially when you consider what we all got stuck with instead. Straight from the "...and how's that workin' out for ya, 'eh?"

Gore has achieved greatness, which is nothing less than the country needs right now. I like most of our candidates, some of them a lot, but they are not in this man's league. More than ever before, it's Gore time.

Man, I hope this guy has some inside info. It would make me so happy to see him run again.

Much to the amusement of my friends, who almost unanimously respond with something like, "God, I wish he would, but get real."

I think there may be three things in play here.

First, the longer he stays out the less bloodied he gets in the Primaries.
Second, he no doubt has some real reluctance to run, especially after the emotional beating he took last time.
Third, despite his reluctance, he is going to see that none of the other candidates have his vision, and he therefore needs to pick up the standard and lead the charge.

I don't know when he will enter, but I will say that it would be kinda nice to have a Nobel Prize under your belt when you declare.

the thing he needed to feel he should run. I think THAT will be what determines his course of action.

As an Oscar winner AND a Nobel Peace Prize winner, IMHO he would be unbeatable.

I've been hoping all along that he would run.

I like Obama but I think Gore would be a lock.

Both would be great Presidents.

How about Gore/Obama?

I already have a t-shirt for the latter combo!

Man I love the sound of that!

I would worry about Gore's safety if he were to win. Kucinich as VP might offer a little protection from certain enemies.

Gore/Kucinich are both visionaries and that is RARE in todays politics.

Gore/Kucinich and a strong majority of Dem's in the House and Senate and we could actually get this country heading in the right direction again.

He's probably pick someone else--someone with no baggage and a relatively fresh face. He needs to look as though he can stand on his own merits.

Here's some highlights about Russ Feingold:

• One of the few senators to vote AGAINST authorizing Bush to attack Iraq.
• He was one of the first to call for withdrawal from the quagmire in Iraq.
• A recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
• Supports legalizing same sex marriage -- none of this willy-nilly civil union crap.
• He's very environmentally conscious.
• He's a long time supporter of a national healthcare system -- single-payer, I believe...


What's so great about him? Funny.

Edwards didn't really add to Kerry's ticket much.

Not only is he a really strong candidate (heck, he won once already), but he's the only one who seems to understand how much we've lost. He's onto their lies and manipulations. He, more than anyone else, can clean up the mess that Republicans have made of this country going back to Reagan.

right around Thanksgiving.

K&R:patriot:

He needs to get in on fundraising for the last quarter of the year. The primaries are only 6 weeks or so after Thanksgiving. That doesn't give him a lot of time to raise a lot of money.

fundraising would not be an issue for him. We've given a little to keepour secondary choice in the race, but when Al declares-I'll be ready to start giving and hosting some really big shindigs for him. I know a lot of others who feel the same.

it's not as if he hasn't done this before. Imagine how much coverage the announcement will receive. The families getting together for Thanksgiving and the talk around the dinner table...it's storybook! That coverage would more than make up for any lack of donations that he may have gotten by announcing earlier.

:bounce:

I also think that Thanksgiving gives him time to carefully look at the mayoral & gubernatorial races in '07 to see some possible trends, and to catch a glimpse on how the voting machines worked. very important issues to consider.

...I'm not even one of them Xians!

I'll be good, I'll feed the puppy on time *every* day, I'll take out the trash without whining! Just let us have our President Gore back! :) :) :) :)

That's the day the Peace Prize is announced. Anytime soon after that would be good. Assuming that he wins it.
:party:

And this year, most of the states are early states.

and he doesn't need anyone elses money ..he has his own!..and do you honestly think the Hollywood crowd would not jump in and give him all he wants or needs?

How about Soros? and who is supporting him now?? Lexus , american express, and i believe he would not have a problem getting money together asap!!

he has plenty of time!!

and the less time the mdia has to play their dumb assed games the better!!

do you not think he would get all the media buzz right away?

i don't know of a dem who wouldn't jump in a heart beat to support Gore!

not one!!

fly

The Nobel Prize for Peace will be announced October, and probably decided by September.

and he is definitely running.

As long as Al Gore, my most favorite, does not say "I am NOT running for President in 2008", all these rumors will keep going on and giving us major mood swings and heartburn for the next couple of months. I truly wish that if he is definitely NOT going to run he would say so. Just my opinion and a bit of wishful thinking. It might be better for him in some way to wait for this or that, but it's killin' me. :)

and i think that he is kinda deliberately not saying one way or the other because he does not want to see another deal like the one john kerry got- selected by the media. shoved down our throats. his book is all about the rotten to the core political process in this country, and he knows very well the impact he is having on it. good on him for it, too.

... I'm having a REAL hard time thinking of much.

On the last election I donated to a whole lot of people and even the DNC - not this time. I'm going to wait and go with one and only one candidate.

Him I trust. I am not sure who I'll vote for in the primary if Gore doesn't run. There are good and not-so-good points about each candidate.

I was holding out money for Edwards, but if Gore jumps in he'll be getting a nice fat check from me. I'll max it out and then get my wife and grandmother to donate... After gifting them, of course. :D

:shrug:

"Please God, oh please let it be true!"

to God's ears.

Oh, please, please, please Al -- RUN!

We need you.

Desperately!

or Monday, September 17. Making it up as I go along but that day would mark the 220 anniversary of the signing of our Constitution. His announcement would make a dramatic statement about the importance of our Constitution to our democracy.

And if he announces by that date, I will be able to sleep better sooner than if he announces in October or November. (It IS all about me, after all.) :7

and all the rest of us.

:7

I might quit my job to campaign.

for any position in the next administration. He has contributed to the national dialogue and kept the other candidates on topic regarding healthcare and the state of eroding civil rights. I really like his proposal for a new Peacetime Cabinet position - perhaps he could be the first to fill that cabinet post?.

What a concept. :bounce:

Gore/Edwards, or Gore/Clark...

we want to WIN this thing this time.
and as much as kucinich says the right things for a lot of people HERE- he doesn't do much to excite the vast majority of the electorate.

However, I know many people who absolutely become excited over the prospect of DK being a greater force within our government. Don't pre-qualify based on the polls. You are buying into faulty "information". The MSM does not have to predict who my candidate should be.

a natural.

and even though I'm an Edwards backer, and have given a little money to him, my money would increase once I know Al is in or out for sure (Oct 1 deadline to get in).

Also, besides Edwards VP scaring the thugs into thinking twice about doing anything against Gore, placing Obama would really add protection in the same amount as Edwards imo. I don't think Hillary would add protection, because in some ways she seems status quo and I don't like that.

running for presidency?

I don't think so... at least I couldn't find anything documented thus far.

not sure what you edited. but those words I spoke are my educated opinion. I find it highly challenging for Gore to enter the race after that point. Particularly, HRC, and then BO and JE have so much ground work laid out in their work, the thought of Al somehow getting his campaign off the ground if he came in later than 10/1, like say Thanksgiving, is comical. I'm starting to believe he'll make an announcement to run between 9/20-10/7 or not at all. If I'm wrong, I will be hoping for his campaign, but coming in late to things is a bad thing. Clark came in kinda late in 04 and struggled.

hope the guy in the OP knows something we don't.

I can't stand Joe, but he was brought in to help win Florida and to counter the "values" attack of the Repos.

I do think Clark as VP would make a very strong ticket though, because it would make the security Dems and Independents feel comfortable, and he isn't a sitting or former Senator. Richardson would also be a very good choice from a geographic/ethnic balance kind of way, and also not a Senator.

Edwards on the ticket (as VP)would give it a 2004 re-run kind of feel.

If Gore doesn't run, my candidate is Kucinich for Pres, just to let you know I'm thinking strategically about the VP slot, instead of indulging my preference.

Dennis does appeal to and excite people once they know who he is. But i have a feeling Dennis wouldn't except the VP slot. And he wouldn't enhances the ticket because he brings a lot of the same ideas/policies/political strengths that Gore does, so it's a little redundant.

any one state would have made the difference- and there's still a lot of anti-semitism out there.

The media seem content to make it a Hillary v. Obama fight.

First they decided that these were serious candidates because they had the warchest. The moolah. Then they polled again and again after they had been talking up the Hillary candidacy for a bout a year and a half and SURPRISE! Hillary is ahead in the polls. And now they take polls that completely ignore what the people think of these candidates.

Of course if you are ABC you ignore who won according to cheering of the crowd or by internet polls on their own website.

I still back the most progressive candidate running. And right now that is still Kucinich.

:thumbsup:

If you read Al's book "THE ASSAULT ON REASON" - you will know how much he loves our Constitution.

And how much he hates the fact that the Bu$h-Cheney regime treats it like toilet paper.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

:shrug:


K & R !!!

:kick:

Take impeachment off the table and keep their powder dry.

Boy! Al could really through a wrench in those gears!!

TCPalm
Florida's Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches

September 3, 2007







Take a look at one of the reader comments following this snippet:





Sad, isn't it?

Sad... that she/he can do no better than to repeat RW talking points? And repeat them ineffectually?

We are so incredibly lucky so many of them are so incompetent and incapable of communicating effectively.

"Presidency," and "Health Care," but refers to the former Vice-President as "algore."

Of course, Gore never said he invented the internet, he said that he was instrumental in getting funding for its development when he was a Senator. "jackel" wouldn't be posting snarky comments online if Gore hadn't done that. (Is a jackel like a jackal? Or a Jekyll?}

And there was no legal recount in Florida as there should have been. Gore shouldn't have had to ask for a recount with such a close vote.

NAFTA was a neocon idea that the GOP couldn't get Poppy Bush to go along with. Clinton should never have signed off on it. I don't know why any Dems support supposed "free trade" when "fair trade" is needed.

... in a person who can't even spell "jackal".

In any event, only DROOLING MORONS believe Al Gore EVER said he invented the internet.

Yes, this person qualifies, here's your sign.

Jackel said Gore claims that he invented the internet? That's rethuglican myth that the media forced down our throats. He only claimed to have helped sponsor a bill as a Senator that provided funding to create an electronic service for the Pentagon. He never claimed to actually "invent the internet". So think about it. He was one of the elected officials with enough vision to see what a great opportunity the information age could bring. Then he gets slammed for something he never said, for years and years. If he we right about that, and he was right about Iraq, and he was right about climate change, that's 3 things he was right about compared to ZERO for Bush. He's never right about anything. He was right about having the election stolen too so go ponder that.

In this lengthy story, journalists who brutalized Gore in 1999-2000 sort of recant and apologize. Good coverage of all the lies about him.

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/10/gore200710

the reader's comments below the OP article link speculating if Gore will win. It says:

"7 Posted by p12psicop on September 4, 2007 at 1:31 a.m: " with this comment:

"Jackel said Gore claims that he invented the internet? That's rethuglican myth that the media forced down our throats. He only claimed to have helped sponsor a bill as a Senator that provided funding to create an electronic service for the Pentagon. He never claimed to actually "invent the internet". So think about it. He was one of the elected officials with enough vision to see what a great opportunity the information age could bring. Then he gets slammed for something he never said, for years and years. If he we right about that, and he was right about Iraq, and he was right about climate change, that's 3 things he was right about compared to ZERO for Bush. He's never right about anything. He was right about having the election stolen too so go ponder that."

one of those negative comments on that page is from one of the posters in this thread. I bet at least half of us can guess which post and who posted it. :)

until the very last minute before I start to donate money for a campaign-waiting for Al that is....

and I believe a whole shit load of people are waiting for.

Imagine what it will like here on DU when Al finally announces!

Like November 06 - Even better!

He has my support if he so chooses.

But I'm not unaware of the impact an Al Gore candidacy announcement would have on the race.

A county Democratic higher-up I speak to now and again is holding out for Al Gore. She keeps a running demographics list of his possible running mates.

Gore-Richardson
Gore-Obama
Gore-Edwards
Gore-Schweitzer
Gore-Feingold
Gore-Kerry

She has some more but those are the half-dozen she likes best and speaks of most, and each has a very distinct strategy to it.

Richardson adds energy expertise to Gore's environmental concerns. Obama energzies all-new generation Dems and we don't lose the Senate seat if Gov. B appoints a blue replacement.

Gore-Edwards offers two high-profile border-state Dems, both more liberal than when they first ran for president.

Gore-Schweitzer puts a west-of-the-Mississippi Democrat on the national ticket as we convene in a west-of-the-Mississippi city to nominate it. Also Schweitzer has the best dog ever.

Gore-Feingold would help put Wisconsin in our column and IMO would neutralize a lot of Nader votes. Why vote for Ralph Nader if you have a ticket like this to vote for instead?

Gore-Kerry offers two extraordinarly presidential men, with a great deal in common at this point of our national history. I think a Gore-Kerry White House would be quite a bit more palatable than a Bush-Cheney White House, if that's not too partisan a comment.

If Gore is the game, I play along and add a Gore-RFK Jr ticket and a Gore-Bradley ticket. My friend likes her own list, though.

If Al Gore declares for the race, I think he'll do it in October.

I take this as his own personal observation and/or wishes but damn do I hope it's true. I like Obama on some things but there are a number that I do not. Same with Edwards. I like Kucinich but realistically he doesn't have a shot.

Mr. Gore though is everything I want in a candidate...

-Loads of experience including as a Senator and VP
-Leading the way against Global Warming
-Leading the way against the war on Iraq
-An intelligent candidate who seeks advice from others and like Kennedy, can reference those people in times of crisis
-Someone who knows how to work with other countries and has experience with diplomacy

Oh and this is the big one, he's now comfortable and self-depreciating in the media. This is the whole likeability crap that the media tried to force onto everyone last time and that issue is gone.

To me his only lapses of judgment the past 8 years were picking asshole Lieberman as a VP and not taking the 2000 Election fight to Congress. Although he did let it go as far as the Supreme Court and I would think if anyone would he'd be the candidate most likely to have legal teams in every state with their eyes open to election corruption.

I pray that he runs and will be out working for him in full force if he does.

Rp

I think he's got a month or two more window, that's about it.

We want and need you!

My checkbook is waiting...

I would be so deliriously happy if he would just run. <sniff>

Go To www.vids.myspace.com and type "Gore" and "Saturday Night Live" into the search engine. You will find video of Al Gore's appearance on Saturday Night Live circa 2006. It is a brillant satirical piece in which he looks back on the accomplishments of the Gore Administration over the previous years.

My hunch is it ain't gonna come through.

And keep him OUT of congress for a long time so that we can get some good things done without that bum and get folks home from Iraq!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Al was originally meant to speak in Sydney on September 14th, and then Melbourne on the 21st. But now he's speaking in Sydney on the 19th due to a "scheduling conflict".

Perhaps this is because he wants to be in the US on Constitution Day (Sept 17th) to declare? Makes tons of symbolic sense he would pick this day given his central arguements in Assault on Reason, etc.

(I hope to attend and meet Al in Sydney...and I hope infinitely more he's a candidate at that time.)


Here is the news of his rescheduling:



Lexus presents An Audience with Al Gore - NEW DATE FOR SYDNEY LUNCH

Sydney, Sept 3, 2007 (ACN Newswire) - Due to a scheduling conflict Vice President Al Gore has changed the date of his Sydney lunch "LEXUS PRESENTS AN AUDIENCE WITH AL GORE" from Friday 14th September to Wednesday 19th September 2007.

Sydney - Wednesday 19th September 2007, 12noon till 2.30pm, Darling Harbour

Melbourne - Friday 21st September 2007, 12noon till 2.30pm, Sofitel Melbourne

All tickets are transferable to the new date and all details are exactly the same with the time, 12 noon and venue, Darling Harbour remaining constant.

Al Gore's speech topic is Thinking Green- Economic strategy for the 21st Century. He will speak for 25 minutes then take part in a 20 minute moderated Q and A session. Eddie McGuire is Master of Ceremonies for both luncheons.

Limited VIP tickets are still available as are excellent tables of 10 to the event by phoning 1300ALGORE or go to www.globalbusinessforum.com.au

The Melbourne event on Friday 21st September goes ahead as planned.

http://www.acnnewswire.net/press/en/40398/Lexus_presents_An_Audience_with_Al_Gore___NEW_DATE_FOR_SYDNEY_LUNCH.html



Hope I'm right!!!

on the 15th... I wonder how much what happens there will affect what he does!

See my post above: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1726907&mesg_id=1727021

Welcome to DU! :hi:

If he announces he would immediately begin campaigning the the early primary states. No way would he leave the country.

He would win by a landslide.

:toast:

... to get my hopes up, Al Gore is the only candidate/potential candidate that could get me excited about this race.

I like Edwards, but let's face it, he's a long shot. Gore could walk away with this, and BY GOD HE DESERVES IT.

that would give me hope for our future. I would love to see Gore/Kucinich. Good God Almighty! That would be my dream ticket.

More. Gore. K&R.

:patriot: :toast: :party: :bounce: :kick: :woohoo: :applause: :patriot:

Many of us on Al's mailing lists got an email on Sunday from him promoting the DiCaprio film "The 11th Hour". I used that as an opportunity to send him the following message:
-----
Al,

I am sure the 11th Hour is a remarkable film and I appreciate your emailing me about it. I will try to see that film this week in Nashville. I just saw "No End in Sight" yesterday and was reminded again of the damage (to Iraq, to our country's reputation in the world and to our souls) that an ignorant and unelected despot at the controls of our government can wrought.

I am sorry that I have not been more sensitive to the environment in the past and will do everything I can from this point forward to "do the right thing". I am even sorrier that a stacked Supreme Court denied you the Presidency in 2000. But I sincerely hope and pray that you will do everything that you (and only you) can do from this point forward to save our country and our planet.

Please, Al, do the right thing -- run for President.

(Fly by night)
-----
I sincerely hope that Al will "do the right thing". Within 48 hours of his announcement, he will have $50+ million in his campaign coffers from the likes of us. I can't wait to give (and I don't have a whole lot laying around. It would still be the best use of money I can think of these days.)

BTW, I strongly support a Gore/Richardson '08 ticket. Experience, empathy, earth-friendly, intelligent -- an excellent combination.

I would also hope and pray that Dennis Kucinich would agree to assume control of the DEA -- and put all those drug war-mongers out to pasture. Federal support for medical marijuana and treatment rather than incarceration for serious drug abusers -- now that would be a kind new world (pun intended).

He'll break all of Dean's records from '04. Fastest 48 hours EVAH!

The Internet is there for him, and my checkbook is certainly waiting for him.

Hawkeye-X

That's just 71,429 maxed contributors at 2,100

1.5M contributors at $100 each.

600,000 contributors at $250.

Al Gore can easily surpass that in 48-72 hours.

Hawkeye-X

together have raised for their whole campaigns. I'd send him money to the ind limit, and I know anyone who was able to do that would do it. I would feel like I'd died and gone to heaven, even if he just entered the race. Gore/Clark would be my dream ticket, one that could win in a landslide. Run, Al, run!

I am a huge Clark supporter but I dont want to see him on the ticket (unless he is in the top spot) BECAUSE as VP he wouldnt be in charge of the military in anyway.

As Commander in Chief he would be of course.......but if he cant get that job he needs to be named as Secretary of Defense.

No better person for the position is alive today. Clark needs to be appointed as Secretary of Defense and told to clean up the corruption and fix the mess that Frat Boy and the Evil One have made of our military.

Like investigate why the study commissioned while Cheney was Secretary of Defense was accurate and it really is more cost efficient for the military to outsource functions like food preparations. Since that study was also the reason that Haliburton was awarded its first billion dollar government contract, maybe Clark could also investigate why the guy who had the study done went on to be a CEO of the company that made the most money because of that study.

Clark cant run, because whoever wins has to appoint him as Secretary of Defense.

That I will definitely see the 11th Hour and that I am excited about his Alliance for Climate Protection's ad campaign beginning this month. I think that may be why he rescheduled an Australia trip, because three agencies are giving presentaitons to him personally vying for Alliance support this month.

what he's talking about. Gore is my first choice right now.

Gore/Clark is the dream ticket for me.

RFK didn't enter the 1968 pres race until MARCH 16, 1968.
(from an obituary of Eugene McCarthy) http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/dec2005/mccar-d30.shtml

Our current primary system is sooooooo screwed up.
And don't EVEN get me started about the 2-party system, the anachronistic Electoral College, the role of corporate money in political campaigns, the non-debate "debates", etc, etc, etc.
ACK.

And he can say what even Mr. Gore hasn't even said in public? What is his source for being able to state that? Looks to me like some people are playing games. BTW, what is he doing about global warming?

we missed you! it's just not right having a pro-gore thread without your insight.

now everyone is on board!

the gore for president party-thread is now OFFICIALLY rockin'!

:toast:

And another speculative piece without source or reason makes the top of the heap because it seems Al Gore was SO RIGHT about people in this country when it comes to caring more for political hype than truth. Do you really think he appreciates that? Oh, nevermind, you're only here for the "party" right? You would never really stand in a ring around a coal fired plant to stop it from being built, right? I mean after all, sitting at your modem all day responding on blogs with this rheotric is so much more important.

:D the way in which you dismiss this kind of political organizing and communications as "posting crao on some dumb blog" is disappointing.

A little speculative blurb in a local newspaper with no source that generates nothing but the same speculation with no source? Thanks for my laugh for the day. The only disappointing thing is that so many people seem to think that is more important than reality.

words to that effect. That's dismissive of what is known as civilized discourse.

What is it with you - wanting Al to run and also having a life are not mutually exclusive.

Or just feel the need to make it up as you go along. Anyone who knows my posts knows firstly that I do not use vulgarity, and that I would never phrase anything like that, hence I suppose your "words to that effect" to cover yourself. Give it up already.

towards a discussion of what Gore supporters have done PERSONALLY in order to help the environment.

I'm not opposed to such discussions but when you sidetrack each and every Gore thread to find hypocrisy in those who would support a run for the presidency, it appears you wish to dismiss those supporters on an ad hominem basis. That's essentially calling people out, and it's wrong.

Which you can always feel free to refute. It is in my view fairly obvious that should he not "run" in 08 talk of his environmental efforts here and elsewhere will dwindle. It is only the political hype that is keeping him a topic here. And that can be proven by simply looking at the greatest page and the amount of threads that wind up at the top there regarding his work for the Alliance or the Climate Project in proportion to speculation and gushing.... which is none. Now, instead of nitpicking about my observation you could prove me wrong. I hope you do. Otherwise, I suggest you understand that everyone here is entitled to criticize any damn thing they choose to based on their own observations. God knows you and a few regulars here have done your share of getting personal with me. So until you are ready to practice what you preach, I don't think you are one to judge the comments of others.

else.

Maybe "Not-Really-for-Gore"?

;)

Falling for this speculation sound bite garbage is not to me. Is it really Mr. Gore so many support though, or just wanting to "win" whatever that means. Or wanting to kick Hillary Clinton to the curb? Or wanting to just have a brawl to blog about? Seems to me if people truly support Mr. Gore THIS wouldn't be the only type of threads regarding him we would see responded to. Sorry you can't see that, and really, my name and the reason for it is not your concern.

you nuts, because we all want him and you're gonna see five hundred threads on this!

Hope you hold up. But really you should put your bashing away for a few weeks because I don't think you could possibly eat that much crow.

*edit - oh yeah, before you tell me how I'm just using him or how he is better off doing what he's doing and the presidency would stifle him and how he can do more from outside the system... how about you read his very own words and see if he feels the same as you...

"I have enjoyed the luxury of being able to focus single-mindedly on this issue," says Gore, back on the patio at his Nashville home. "But I am under no illusions that any position has as much ability to influence change as the presidency does. If the President made climate change the organizing principle, the filter through which everything else had to flow, then that could really make a huge difference."

Oh. Could that possibly contradict everything you've said about this for the last few months? I think it does. I think he wants to get this accomplished and realizes that the Presidency would be the most powerful position to work from.

So anyway, thanks for chiming in as usual!

You DON'T want the others more, which is what makes this all such BS and so unfair to him. If you really wanted HIM, you would stand at the barricades for him now without this "political" precondition instead of posting on blogs enabling rumors. And I do not think that statement does anything but augment his desire for whoever is there to take this crisis on... but since you really don't give a damn about that but only in cheerleading here, of course you would only take it the way it suits your needs. How sad to see that so many who support him here are the very ones who fall into the petty political traps he mentioned in his book just like so many others in thinking this is nothing but a popularity contest. And the only crow I would hope to eat is the crow I would gladly eat in finding out that I was wrong that people on the whole don't care for this planet enough to get up off their own asses to do something about it.

Oh, and here is an excerpt and some quotes for you from the same The Last Temptation of Al Gore TIME piece http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1622009,00.html you cherry picked from without noting the source:
~~~~
'I'm trying to say to you, be a part of the change," he told the crowd. "No one else is going to do it. The politicians are paralyzed. The people have to do it for themselves!" He was getting charged up now. "Our democracy hasn't been working very well—that's my opinion. We've made a bunch of serious policy mistakes. But it's way too simple and way too partisan to blame the Bush-Cheney Administration. We've got checks and balances, an independent judiciary, a free press, a Congress—have they all failed us? Have we failed ourselves?" "Why do reason, logic and truth seem to play a diminished role in the way America now makes important decisions?," writes Al Gore in his new book.

As it happens, these are the themes that animate The Assault on Reason, Gore's new book (an excerpt follows). The crowd seemed to like them—people were hollering and stomping on the aluminum risers—and right on cue, a bright-eyed Buffalo student named Jessica Usborne stood up and asked the Question. "Given the urgency of global warming, shouldn't you not only educate people but also help implement the changes that will be necessary—by running for President?" The place erupted, and Usborne dipped down onto one knee and bowed her head. Her dark hair fell across her eyes and her voice rose. "Please! I'll vote for you!" she cried above the crowd's roar, which sounded like a rocket launcher and lasted almost 30 seconds, all but drowning out Gore's simple, muted, five-word response: "I'm not planning to run."

Sorry, Jessica, there is no stealth campaign. Despite what you may have read, there are no shadowy meetings in which Gore and his operatives plot his path to power. There is no secret plan. There's only a vigorous draft-Gore movement that he has nothing to do with (two independent websites—draftgore.com and algore.org—have gathered almost 150,000 signatures so far) and, from time to time, social events at which old Gore hands get together and play a few friendly rounds of what-if. Some people who know Gore assume he's biding his time, waiting to pounce; since he's at 12% in the polls—tied with John Edwards, without even being in the race—he would easily get on the primary ballots if he declared before the deadlines. He may not be rich enough to self-finance, but with his Apple and Google stock, Web following and Silicon Valley connections, money wouldn't be a huge problem either. "He just has to say the word," says a wealthy friend. But those who know him well would be very surprised if it happened.

He hasn't built a shadow organization. His travel isn't calibrated to the primaries. And he's just not thinking much about politics anymore. "He used to be intensely interested in political gossip—who's up in the latest poll, and did you hear about so-and-so," says Carter Eskew, an old friend and former media adviser. "I haven't had a conversation like that with him since 2002 or 2003 . He's moved on, at least for the time being." In recent months, as Gore moneymen were recruited by other campaigns, they checked in with Gore. "I said, 'If I'm raising money for the wrong person, please tell me,'" says one. "Everyone asked that question, and his answer was always the same: 'Don't keep your money in your pocket waiting for me.'" End of excerpt.
~~~~~
Here's more:

"The real reason I wrote the book," he begins, "is that I've tried for years to tell the story of the climate crisis, and it has taken far too long to get through. When the best evidence is compiled and there's no longer room for dragging out a pointless argument, we're raised as Americans to believe our democracy is going to respond. But it hasn't responded. We're still not doing anything. So I started thinking, What's going on here?" While Gore was mulling that, another test of American democracy presented itself—the walk-up to war in Iraq—and American democracy flunked again. "In both cases, our democracy was pushed around by false impressions and wasn't able to hold its focus," he says. "That's the common denominator. Once I'd thought through all of that, I couldn't not write this book."

~~~~
One more:

Gore often compares the climate crisis to the gathering storm of fascism in the 1930s, and he quotes Winston Churchill's warning that "the era of procrastination" is giving way to "a period of consequences." To his followers, Gore is Churchill—the leader who sounds the alarm. And if no declared candidate steps up to lead on this issue, many of them believe he will have a "moral obligation"—you hear the phrase over and over—to jump in. "I understand that position and I respect it, but I'm not convinced things will evolve that way," says Gore. "If I do my job right, all the candidates will be talking about the climate crisis. And I'm not convinced the presidency is the highest and best role I could play. The path I see is a path that builds a consensus—to the point where it doesn't matter as much who's running. It would take a lot to disabuse me of the notion that my highest and best use is to keep building that consensus."

What it would take, specifically?

"I can't say because I'm not looking for it. But I guess I would know it if I saw it. I haven't ruled it out. But I don't think it's likely to happen."

His wife is more blunt. "He's got access to every leader in every country, the business community, people of every political stripe," says Tipper. "He can do this his way, all over the world, for as long as he wants. That's freedom. Why would anyone give that up?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now you respond and tell Tipper Gore she doesn't know more about this and him than YOU do.

Only you are getting up off of your ass to do anything about it. The rest of us are not worthy.

I forgot to add that one above, so thanks for that reminder.

Do you know how to do that? Or is stalking me here all you know?

nothing you say makes a damn bit of sense.

and ya know what ?? you are no expert on Gore..you just think you are, in your own little world.

Gore is going to run...so take them apples.

and boy is it going to rain on your parade!!...do you have any idea what crow tastes like??

you will!

fly

What an enbarrassment.

your negativity..and your boring blabber..many of us count the minutes till you come on a Gore post with your nonsense. And you never disappoint us!!

But i will assure you Al Gore will not disappoint us..i have it from someone real close to him..he is going to run..so get ready to ingest that crow!!

have a lovely day!!

fly

If someone isn't holding a pom pom it isn't something you seem able to understand. And there is nothing negative about supporting his efforts now and being excited about them, and especially in respecting HIS words over those of a third party just looking to hype speculation. But I suppose some here who are so obsessed with hype over substance will never see that. So continue to respond in the same sophoric fashion you always do. I'm sure it goes over well with the crowd here for whom to actually discuss this seriously is just not an option. And as for your "I have it from someone real close to him" malarky, if you can't say who it is and the source, I don't have to believe it. Only should Mr. Gore say anything to the contrary of what he has already stated will I believe him and support his efforts.

i live in the big bad world of media and professional sports and have for 35 years... ..and i have sources you could only dream of!

fly

:puffpiece:

He must be an expert!

It's the cognitive dissonance, stupid! :)

No idea what the first quote is from, it's not a quote from him.

"is that I've tried for years to tell the story of the climate crisis, and it has taken far too long to get through"

This to me indicates that he feels his message isn't getting through fast enough from "the outside".

""If I do my job right, all the candidates will be talking about the climate crisis. And I'm not convinced the presidency is the highest and best role I could play"

Well I'll never say he hasn't done his job right, but the candidates sure aren't addressing the climate crisis. I can't explain his change of heart between that quote and what he said when interviewed by Time Magazine. I suppose he may be frustrated that it's taking as long as it is for him to get his message out.

"He's got access to every leader in every country, the business community, people of every political stripe," says Tipper. "He can do this his way, all over the world, for as long as he wants. That's freedom. Why would anyone give that up?"

Again, his own comments conflict with her statement. He's realized himself where he would do most good. It's up to him to make that decision. Whatever the decision, I'll still be supporting him. I'll still donate, I'll still write letters to my representatives, congressmen and senators, I'll still hold meetings and go door to door giving away cfl light bulbs in my community. Oh wait, did I say I would STILL support him even if he doesn't run for president? Surely I couldn't have, because you already told me I can't.

"I'm trying to say to you, be a part of the change," he told the crowd. "No one else is going to do it. The politicians are paralyzed. The people have to do it for themselves!"

It's from his presentation in Buffalo a couple of months ago. I figured since you follow his work you would have known that, and it is also the first quote on page two of the link I provided.

As for the second quote, he is relating that after thirty years in politics trying to get this message out to make people understand the urgency of this crisis, he is not convinced that the presidency it the highest and best role he can play in continuing his mission. Seems pretty plain to me, and I happen to agree with him at this point primarily BECAUSE it took him thirty years in politics with NOTHING being done about it precisely because there was no grassroots movement to get out information, education, or truth about it to the people to cause a sea change, which is still not complete as he also stated recently in Singapore. Hell, people didn't even know Triana existed when I posted about that. And don't tell me that has changed.

Since he has been outside of a system that has not changed since 2000 he has accomplished much more in the way of getting corporations on board, global leaders on board, and in inspiring citizens. Live Earth is something NO president could ever have pulled off, and he would not have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize or any of the other awards he has received if he were stuck in that beltway still hitting his head against a brick wall.

And as for the third, his wife is right on target, but then she is looking at it from the perpective of the best way to get results because this is real, not in a selfish political way like so many others do. And it is good you will support him even if doesn't run... because his organizations will need donations and help as well. Let's see how much he gets should he continue on his present course. That will be interesting.

the first quote you highlighted:



I didn't realize you didn't highlight the ones you wanted me to respond to.

Also, you'll note that according to Vanity Fair, Tipper has softened a little on her previous stance:



And if anyone is selfish, it would be you. You who use his name to push your own agenda and who seems to think that the man should lock himself up in a little box called Global Warming for the rest of his life and forget the fact that he has already stated he wants to get back into politics someday. And unlike you, I hope that someday is sooner rather than later.

It is the defining crisis of this generation that will make or break our species. You just showed how ignorant you are with that remark. And this crisis will require more than just lip service and will not be solved in one election, and he knows that. It will require sacrifice unlike any other challenge we have ever faced and it will require an unwavering and passionate commitment to a global movement that I believe only Mr. Gore can give as its leader. So you don't know ANYTHING about me for all of your nasty insinuations. Mr. Gore may well decide to reenter the political arena one day in the future, but it will be on HIS terms not yours.

And BS threads like this based on unsubstantiated sources do nothing to forward debate on a crisis that far transcends the pettiness of politics today. So if anyone is selfish it is you and those who constantly push him in a direction he is obviously not wishing to go in at this time. But let's just see how many posts we have on his work hitting the top of the charts here praising his environmental efforts should he come out and say the words you need to hear to move on. Like I stated in the post above, it will be interesting to see just how much support his organizations get and the support he maintains here regarding his work then. I'm sure we will be seeing you in environmental threads talking about it then, right?

I could show you how ridiculous you sound. I'm hardly ignorant. I realize the importance of Global Warming apparently more than you do because I want the man who is most qualified to be in the most powerful position available to make the changes necessary. He himself has acknowledged that that position is President of the United States. Apparently you think you're smarter than the rest of us.

All my phone calls and letters to the current democratic leaders have gone unheeded. None of them are putting this issue where it should be. How are you doing with your letters and phone calls? Are these candidates listening to you?

Since it isn't responding to you either... Perhaps then if so you should then understand more that addressing this issue from OUTSIDE that political beltway BS first is what is necessary. And yes, so far everyone I have mailed letters to has responded in some way by either signing legislation on a state level or addressing it on a local level. And that is how it needs to be done to build the right momentum upward, as well as corporations ( where it must come from) and by talking to individuals.

And again, if the Chairmanship of the military industrial complex is the most powerful position to make the changes regarding climate change which is a MORAL issue, then why didn't Bill Clinton do it? Why couldn't Mr. Gore get Kyoto signed? Why did only Paul Wellstone out of all senators wind up being the only senator to sign on to it? Why didn't ANYONE do it in the last thirty years? Did you write to anyone about this yourself in the last ten years before An Inconvenient Truth came out?

You can then stop blowing smoke up my butt about it being the most powerful position now just to suit your own agenda. The track record is quite to the contrary. And as far as I am concerned it is only the PEOPLE of this country that will turn the tide politically, and from the looks of it that ain't gonna happen by November 2008 because the grassroots movement that msut accompnay it needs to grow much more. So if you and others support Mr. Gore's environmental efforts to that effect as you say, surely that grassroots movement is going to grow in leaps and bounds to get to that political tipping point because you are going to help him.

then so is Mr. Gore. You disagree with him as well. I hope you realize this.

:banghead::banghead::banghead:

If he disagreed he wouldn't have started the Alliance for Climate Protection. He wouldn't have started The Climate Project. He wouldn't have stated himself in interviews that he was disappointed that only Paul Wellstone signed onto Kyoto, and that for thirty years he tried to get through on this there to no avail. He has also recently stated that Americans are more environmentally aware but are not close to where they must be for that momentum to happen. Perhaps you should actually keep up with the news instead of cherrypicking quotes to suit you. And keep beating your head... it might eventually sink in. Hope so, because I'm done playing games with you here.

never said:

"But I am under no illusions that any position has as much ability to influence change as the presidency does. If the President made climate change the organizing principle, the filter through which everything else had to flow, then that could really make a huge difference".

Put your fingers back in your ears and stomp your feet and repeat it three times and it will be true.

Your logic that he couldn't have started Alliance for Climate Protection, etc. if he believed what he said above is - well, very illogical.

As for your last comment - You've made that promise before.

that RG is The One & Only Keeper of Al Gore's Flame of Truth?

If we would only remember this whenever Gore threads come up, there wouldn't be any debate!

:eyes:

Thus Spake, UtopianSecretAgent, he who knows the secret codes to our shared better future! ;-)

Are they? Not that I've noticed. There is growing consensus everywhere else--mayors, city councils, governors, even the Defense Department, for godssakes!--and The People have ALWAYS been for strong environmental protection--and are just getting informed about this acute crisis, with Gore a major factor in spreading the word. But where is the "call to arms" among the Democratic presidential candidates? Not there. So THAT is why Gore must run, if mobilization of this country around global warming mitigation is what he wants to see. I'm going to comment below on this general topic, but let me just say that I've given up hero worship and do NOT believe in "knights in shining armor" for saving this democracy. Only, we, the people can do that. But we DO need strong, focused leadership in the White House to implement global warming initiatives in time to prevent major disasters, and if major disasters are unavoidable, to prepare the people, the economy and the infrastructure (emergency services, etc.) to minimize loss of life, property and civl order. The issue of Constituional government is also critically important--both as to democracy in the U.S. AND proactive mitigation of global warming. We need a responsive and responsible federal government. NONE of the candidates (Kucinich excepted) has been strong enough on this issue--the Constitution, the balance of power, the 'unitary executive,' torture, unjust war, spying. And Gore has been very powerful and very timely on the issues that matter as to the Constitution and democracy. THIS is what the candidates SHOULD BE talking about: a) global warming, b) Constitutional government. They are not. They may say things here and there, but there is no consensus and no ringing indictment of Bushism on these two vital matters. I therefore think Gore will run.

Are you? If it is that important to you ( in general) don't you think you should?

... each and every point stated succinctly.:)

very interesting post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1731163&mesg_id=1731163

Good interview, in his own words. Great picture.

Nice.

:-)

Give one hope doesn't it?

Sick of the BS blackhearts that want to take away our hope for the future. Some of the Comments are sorrowful.

I'm not sure it has anything to do with his running, but it made me wonder.....

:kick:

A few months ago I watched Gore on 'The Big Idea: Donny Deutsch' and he talked about winning a "stealth presidency". It looked like he was referring to 08. Interestingly, I can't find ANY reference about it anywhere.

.... for at least a day.

I also promised Jesus I'd go to Mass every day if he made the room stop spinning.

The room stops spinning in the No Spin Zone. O'Reilly delivers the bullshit straight to your brain, no spinning required.

GORE/CLARK--'nuff said.

Dear God, please make it happen.

For the sake of the USA.

If you run I'll stop my Quixotic backing of candidates who, err, aren't actually running. Gore/Clark! :bounce:

on global warming could lead him to no other conclusion but to run for president,'08.

That would be my pick.
:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

:applause:

Obama's negatives (lack of experience, and some people just aren't ready to vote for a black man) are greater than Clark's (there are no negatives really).

What you really want in a VP choice is someone who is going to help you get swing voters. For swing voters you really have to minimize the negatives, give them no reason not to vote for you. Obama has negatives for swing voters. Clark has none and actually has some positives, he adds the military experience to the ticket. He is the best choice in terms of making an electable team.

Sign me up.