I need to be educated about Al Gore -- can anyone help?

[Beam Me Up]

I've always been impressed with Gore, especially since his speech to moveon.org at NYU back in 2003, I believe it was -- where he called for the resignation of most of the Bush administration on national security grounds. Hell, yeah. I've always been impressed with his intelligence and his good hearted demeanor. A bit of a hard-sell to the American public, perhaps, but the kind of person we need in the White House.

What I'm interested in and know almost nothing about is what, exactly, did Al do during the time he was vice president? I know there was some brouhaha about his influence on the development of the internet, for example. What exactly did he do and didn't he do in regards to its implementation?

What has been his position regarding NAFTA and the FTO?

Anything anyone else who knows more than I do want to throw in about what qualifies Gore to be president -- or strikes against him, I'm interested.

Thanks in advance.

PS, I think he IS going to run -- and I find that very exciting.

[NMDemDist2]

1. the internet thing happened when he was in the House and as VP

he oversaw streamlining some of the bureaucracy and was our representative at the original Kyoto meeting


here's the wiki post on his political career

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gore#Political_career_.281976.E2.80.932000.29

[rosesaylavee]

2. Expansion of the Internet into the public realm

Gore saw the future of the internet before most others did. As a member of Congress, he promoted use of the internet and advocated for it being opened up for public use.

More here at Snopes regarding the rw smear of lies around his statement on Blitzer's show: http://www.snopes.com/quotes/internet.asp After this interview, the rwingers and others misquoted him as saying he 'invented' the internet.

[bryant69]

3. I'd be surprised if he was ever opposed to free trade

or NAFTA though.

A good review on how he was slimed in 2000 can be found at the Daily Howler as well http://dailyhowler.com

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[rosesaylavee]

4. As VP,

any VP prior to Dickus Cheney, their primary role is support of policies of the president under which they serve. Granted, as VP, Gore promoted NAFTA and the deregulation of the airwaves. Don't know that he has issued statements on where he stands on these now.

After reading his latest book, my bet is he would reverse those directives. He writes in his book that the corporations now have too much power and balance is needed.

[ThomWV]

5. Clinton Gave Gore Work - much different than VPs that preceded him

He was not the President-in-waiting. Clinton actually - to a small, but larger than any other President had, extent - shared power with Gore.

[Beam Me Up]

6. Thanks everyone who has replied.

Sorry I'm not being very responsive -- not because I'm not interested. Just busy as hell!

Thanks again to all!