Gore: I'd only consider White House bid ("if I did get back")

[sabra]

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former Vice President Al Gore denied again that there were any campaign plans in his immediate future, but told CNN Monday that he hadn't "ruled out getting back into the political process at some point" — and that if he did return to political life, it would be to take another shot at the White House.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, speaking from the Oslo site of Monday's awards ceremony, told CNN's Jonathan Mann that he didn't expect to ever get back in the political process, but that "if I did get back, it would be as a candidate for president."

He did not endorse any of the current Democratic candidates for president, and did not respond directly to a question about his view of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's environmental policy proposals.

He added that "the political system as it now operates makes it very difficult" for any of the current crop of candidates to make climate change issues a top priority.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/12/10/gore-id-only-consider-white-house-bid/

[Le Taz Hot]

1. NOW

he says this???? ARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!! :banghead:

[AlGore-08.com]

2. It wasn't a tease. He was asked by CNN if he'd take a cabinet position in the next admin

His answer was given that way to make it clear he would not serve in the cabinet or even be Vice President for somebody else's administration.

It's consistent with his previous statements - - that he doesn't plan or expect to run for office again, but IF he did, it would only be as a Presidential candidate.

[CottonBear]

3. He has more power now than if he were the president considering the disasters in Iraq and at home.

He would get blamed for 8 years of Bush*-CHeney administration fuckups if he were to win in 2008.

Maybe he'll run in the future, maybe 8 years from now.

[Stuckinthebush]

5. Nah...

He'd have a hell of a lot more power as President of the United States regardless of the circumstances.

I think Gore lost his chance. This would have been his time but he didn't want to get into it again. That's his choice, of course, but I think the world is worse off because of it.

I wish him the best.

[Rydz777]

6. I agree with everything you say except I don't think it is too

late for Gore. If the Democratic contest dissolves into an embittered mess, Gore could save the day - and I think he would agree. This country desperately needs a President who has the stature to pull us together.

[MADem]

11. Yep. It would be a (for recent history, anyway) paradigm-breaking experience, but it

isn't outside the realm of possibility. After all, new paradigms arise with the breaking of old ones.

Nothing is ever impossible when it comes to politics--who ever thought that the idiot occupying the White House would manage to first, get the gig OR keep it, regardless if he got it by hook or by crook.

[ailsagirl]

4. So frustrating :(

[Ishoutandscream2]

9. No kidding. I can't take it anymore

I can't keep getting my hopes up.

[superconnected]

7. I wish he'd run.

[eppur_se_muova]

8. FIne by me. Do it. nt

[thetaoofterri]

10. I am just so tired of speculating and hoping...

I want him to run, but I don't think he will. However, I don't think it is too late for him to enter the race.

[Javaman]

12. Not surprised...

I honestly never believed he would run for 08. anyone that gets that office will be racked over the coals with one problem after another by trying to unfuck all of morons* fuck up.

If he runs in 12 or 16, I think people will be so desperate for a voice of reason, he could basically walk in and sit down in the oval office without even having to campaign.

[happyslug]

16. He will be 60 years old next March, 64 in 2012, 68 2016

I know Reagan ran when he was over 70 years of age, but most people are NOT at their best at that age (I suspect Reagan had Alzheimer's from 1986 onward, this his lack of appearances for Bush Senior in 1998 and during Bush Senior Presidency).

In my opinion, this is the last year he can really run, he is still young enough to do the campaigning needed. Maybe in 2012, but he be 64. He be 68 in 2016 if elected in 2012 and needs to get re-elected. No his best chance is this 2008, he be 60, when he runs for re-election he be only 64 (and 68 when he is out of office).

Al Gore:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gore

Ronald Reagan:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan

[Lisa]

21. didn't Al's parents both live past 90?

Plus he's not a smoker (his only sibling died of tobacco-related cancer). I am hoping that Al will be with us, in whatever job he chooses, for a few decades yet. He seems to have a great deal of stamina -- I'm not even 40, and I don't believe I could cope with his travel schedule.

My guess is that 70 in "Al Gore years" would actually be 60 for most other folks.

Re: your suspicions about Reagan -- I recall that Helen Caldicott reporting that she was a bit concerned after she met with him back in the 1980s. She said later that she couldn't make a clear diagnosis of Alzheimer's, but she was definitely perturbed enough to mention that he seemed a bit out of it.

[happyslug]

23. Men start to see their strength weaken at about age 50.

Women don't notice as quickly, they have less muscle mass to lose, but starts about the same time. From age 50-70 you notice the slow decline in your body, it is noticeable unlike the slow decline that starts at about age 21 (Decline starts the minute Growth Stops at about age 21, but it is very slow in your 20s and 30s and often the decline is offset by training, this ability to offset the aging process stops at about age 50). Heavy use of your body can accelerate the decline, thus most pro athletes stop before age 40 at being true pros. This is do to their body no longer being able to be re-trained to compensate for the wear and tear of their body AND the slow decline that set in at age 21.

As to Gore, he is in the middle of his last 20 good years. Can he do things when he is 90? Daniel Boone walked to Yellowstone when he was in his 90s (and that was the early 1800s). Can he do things like when he was 20? At age 50 for a good bit (Through not near what he could at 20, but close) at age 60 for brief moments and sometime for a whole day (But recovery is MUCh longer then when he was 20), at 70, if you mean walking all day yes, but 80 even that gets to be to much, but can keep up with young children, by 90 and 100 you have to take special care of them, but with minimal care can stay active (This assuming no major health problems kick in). Thus I can NOT see Gore running after age 70, unlike Reagan who just wanted to be President, not actual do anything with the job.

[orleans]

13. asked about running for president he said he didn't foresee doing

that or something to that effect

when asked if he would consider a position in the next administration he said very firmly and without hesitation: ABSOLUTELY NOT

funny how he can't give such a straight answer when asked about running for president.

then--something to the effect of: the only way i would consider getting back into politics would be as president

[paparush]

14. Al, big guy...put the medal in the display case, put the tux in the closet

and get yer ass out here!

Gore / Edwards

Gore / Obama

Gore / Clark

Gore / Kucinich


C'mon big guy..ya gotta like these numbers!

[Alexander]

15. The only way he can win is if he's drafted.

I don't see him doing an Independent run and it's too late for the primaries.

So the convention will have to be deadlocked, and the delegates choose Gore as a compromise candidate, for him to be the nominee.

Unless he has a plan so brilliant that no one else can even imagine it. And I've moved past that point.

[autorank]

17. Oh, damn! (& K*R)

That's one of those denials with an affirmation. He says no and then says none of these candidates can do the most important job period, which leaves the door open. I want him to run, period. He doesn't have all the answers but he sure as heck is the only one with the right question.

New leadership for a new Democratic party

[rosesaylavee]

18. K & R

The political system "as it now operates" better snap out of it so we can make some changes. The alternative is death to our civilization. Period.

[fshrink]

19. Someone will have to clear up the

constitutional bankrupcy made obvious, but still not dealt with, in 2000. Gore then chose not to do it. So his candidacy will carry that meaning forever. It's attached to him. Can't say I blame him for not doing it now. He went on to another deep issue. Deeper perhaps. Can't blame him for that either.

[dysfunctional press]

20. take solace in the idea that in some parallel universe...

Al Gore became president in 2001, and the iraq war never happened.

[Lisa]

22. there was a Jet Li movie called "The One", a while back ...

It featured a trip to a different universe, where Al Gore is US President, and (among other things) has brought in universal medicare and (judging by the types of cars on the road) a shift to alternative energy.

[BenDavid]

24. well gee al, only show up for the Coronation wow!

[Alexander]

25. Better than the coronation SwiftBoat Hillary expects.