Was Al Gore forced out of the race ?

[kentuck]

There was some discussion here on DU when he gave his speech advising that he would not run in 2004. He mentioned "something" in his speech that led some to believe that he was forced to withdraw from the race. Does anyone remember the exact remarks? The general impression was that the DLC would not support him in his run for the Presidency.
We can expect the media to ignore his very important remarks. But will the DLC and the leadership of the Democratic Party ignore his speech also?

[GainesT1958]

1. If they do, they will ignore it...

At their own risk! x(

B-)

[jiacinto]

2. I don't think so

I think Gore didn't want to go through another presidential campaign again. He saw the polling numbers and realized that his chances were simply not there. I didn't think his family wanted him to run either.

I don't blame him either. Having to give up another 2 years of his life, working probably 80+ hours a week, and then some, and then having to deal with a hostile media, I can fully understand why Gore backed out of the race.

[On the Road]

3. He Said Something, I Can't Remember it Either

but he seemed to have been strongly nudged, probably by uppper-level Dems. I think he should not have listened to them, but he did. The 'hostile media' is capable of turning on a dime and correcting the Gore myths once Bush loses sufficient upper-class support.

[Deb]

4. That thread was about this interview

LESLEY STAHL:
I'm still trying to understand why you're not gonna run.

AL GORE:
The last campaign was an extremely difficult one. And while I have the energy and drive to go out there and do it again, I think that there are a lot of people within the Democratic Party who felt exhausted by that. Who felt like, okay, I don't wanna go through that again. And I'm frankly sensitive to that-- to that feeling.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/12/15/60minutes/main533091.shtml

[kentuck]

5. That's the one !

that was the comment I was looking for...

[Cheswick2.0]

6. the dlc not only wouldn't support him but....

several prominant democrats in different states spoke out about his inability to win..... one of the dumber arguments people continue to make despite the facts.

[mbee]

7. Based upon what I heard today I think he's scouting out

how he can raise the money through the Internet. They mentioned when they showed a clip of the speech he's interested in Move-Ons ability to fundraise over the Internet. Go Al Go!