Agree or disagree: Does Gore have to be drafted to be credible?

[Radio_Lady]

My husband has presented this thesis. Al Gore can't come across as just another politician who wants to run again for President. He has to be the candidate who is being drafted or being asked to run by people who feel it's his time and he would be the best person for the country. Then Gore can say, "I'm doing this because I've been called. I feel it's my duty to offer myself to the American people and to do this job if they want me to do it."

What do you think?

[Ignacio Upton]

1. Yes

Right now his negatives are almost as high as Hillary's. Plus, I really don't think he's interested in running unless called to do so. Having a genuine grassroots movement would definitely help him.

[Patchuli]

49. What "negatives" would those be?

I see no negatives about Al Gore's being RE-ELECTED. I think he is interested but he is being very very smart about it. I also think he has a huge grassroots following.

[Radio_Lady]

62. I completely agree with your statement:, "I see no negatives about Al Gore's being RE-ELECTED."

Thanks for your post.

[illinoisprogressive]

2. I don't think so. I believe Gore can pretty much do whatever he wants and remain

highly credible. Gore has such a high stature and respect by the party and supporters I don't think he has to pretend anything.
Besides, the only one who was drafted was Obama and most people don't know he was...

[jaysunb]

3. Any excuse will do for me...

n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. lol

me too! :bounce:


I do agree that the Draft Gore movement will definitely help.

[Radio_Lady]

19. Thanks for the Ks & Rs to the folks who did it!

[niceypoo]

4. Gore is the only politician who cares about future generations

But, you cant "draft" someone into running.

[evlbstrd]

8. Eisenhower was drafted. n/t

[Mabus]

16. So was Goldwater n/t

[Radio_Lady]

22. Both of you are absolutely correct. History buffs, please supply the details.

Thanks for the K&R from two folks last night and one today.
I thank you and Al thanks you.

(This is a little inside joke. I'm married to a guy named Al!)

[Mabus]

33. Ike was courted to be drafted by Dems and Repubs

Goldwater was courted and, at one point, told those trying to draft him that he would make a Shermanesque statement if they contined their efforts. He changed his mind a few months later. (See the book "Suite 3505: The Story of the Draft Goldwater Movement" which is out of print but available at libraries).

That's about all I remember.

[Radio_Lady]

35. Thanks, Mabus. My husband remembered some of the details about Eisenhower draft.

I am five years younger than my guy.

[Bucky]

11. Obama, Clinton, Edwards, & Clark are all on the record saying "fuck future generations"

I would suggest your subject line is a little overstated. But still, I am better at overstatement than you.

[LSK]

24. they are?

:shrug:

[Radio_Lady]

25. Caught after the editing period had expired. Just curious: How would you have changed it?

I appreciate your comment in any event.

[John Q. Citizen]

13. Have you checked out Kucinich? He's the real deal. I am backing him at present

since he's the only declared progressive, but I would back Gore if he ran.

[Radio_Lady]

27. I'm afraid Dennis doesn't have it, and backing him through to the end would compromise our goals.

Our goal is to elect the President. I'm sure you know that.

I love Dennis K. and he is quite a dynamic and interesting speaker.

Thanks for your comments.

[Taverner]

48. I just want Dennis to have a seat at the table

[kster]

68. Gore - Kucinich, I'm up for that, being as

Gore fought to get the votes counted, and Kucinich, WELL, lets just say they both know what needs to be done FIRST AND FOREMOST to win an election.


http://eda-tv.blip.tv/file/82767/

[bridgit]

5. i may have it all wrong, but i think that if he decides to come in he will do so...

with his seasoned, natural, well studied southern ease and that many, many folks will line up behind him and set him right on down in that chair in the oval office

Al Gore has leagues of cred imo, street, international or otherwise, and i think were there to be a next time around there would be no mistakes, and no disputes whatsoever :patriot:

[Radio_Lady]

28. UPDATE: I heard the Early Show (CBS) interview this morning with Gore and Branson.

Gore said he had worked for environmental issues in the eight years he was in the White House. Al laughed when Harry asked him if he'd be announcing his bid for the Presidency on CBS this morning, or at the Academy Awards on February 25th. Al finessed the answer.

[evlbstrd]

7. I'm biased.

I'm a local organizer in the Draft Gore movement.
He's already built an incredible resume. That alone gives him strength and credibility as a candidate. And he seems to stand alone and above all of the announced candidates without even announcing. There's a very strong buzz surrounding him.
I would encourage, nay, challenge, everyone on DU who would like to see Al Gore run again and take the office for which he was elected in 2000 to go to http://draftalgore.meetup.com/ and lend your support to this movement.
So, I guess my answer is, yes, a draft movement makes a stronger candidate than he already is.
Grammar police, go to work.

[Radio_Lady]

29. Excellent link! Thanks so much for posting!

[cynatnite]

9. I don't think many people will buy it...

Most are cynical today as it is. I would even have a hard time buying it. No one can be forced to run for president. They might be compelled, but it is still about choice.

[Radio_Lady]

31. It will be interesting to see the entire field of candidates as we move to 2008.

Appreciate your comment, Cynatnite.

OT: Am I reading your screen name correctly? Cyn At Nite or -- Sin At Nite? That's another story...

[Swamp Rat]

10. He won once before and he can do it again... with an even better running mate this time.

GEAUX GORE!!! :bounce:

[Radio_Lady]

32. "Geaux Gore." Thanks for supplying it "en Francais" ---

OT: Swamp Rat, are you back in Louisiana now?

I like that graphic!

[RB TexLa]

12. regardless of the circumstances, 3ed runs for the White House are tough

[John Q. Citizen]

15. Um, I'm not sure what you mean by that. Could you elaborate?

[RB TexLa]

18. That a person's third run for the White House is a tough campaign

[John Q. Citizen]

21. Why do you believe that ?

[Admiral Loinpresser]

53. Worked pretty well for Reagan. n/t

[Radio_Lady]

63. Good point, Admiral. Thanks for your comment.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

64. Thanks Radio Lady.

It was pretty good. Especially considering that my comments cause 70% of all air pollution. ;)

[Radio_Lady]

69. Oh, goody, goody. I won't have to worry at all about our consumption of natural fuels!

Or our output of methane gas, if you can conjur what I mean!

:sarcasm:

[Fovea]

14. No, I don't think a Nobel Peace Prize nominee

whose nomination is quite likely to result in a prize needs a draft movement to be credible.

[Radio_Lady]

40. You might be right about that.

Thanks again for your comment.

[Mabus]

17. Disagree

Gore has a lot of crediblity and it seems to continue to increase every week. The fact that there are Draft Gore groups springing up across the world (there are some in Europe, South America and India) just show how much the people want him more than ever. Personally, I think it's pretty cool that people who support a Gore candidacy are coming out of the woodwork, seeking each other out and forming groups. Even better, because Gore is flying under the political radar the groups are free to discuss what Gore is doing, what they can do to get him into the race and what they can do to save our planet without having to spend a lot of time talking about how the pundits are trashing him.

[aaronbees]

20. A lot of good is being done right now ....

in his name. Even if he doesn't run (and I still do wish he would), he's doing a lot to bring people together. Wise move on his part and on the part of his supporters. I think he has enough credibility to do whatever he sees fit.

[Homer Wells]

51. I was online with a lady from British Columbia

last evening, and when the conversation got around to American politics, her first comment was "We Need GORE"
I told her I could not agree more, and that the miserable excuse of an administration we have at this time was doing a horrible amount of damage, and a man of Gores talents, credibility, and genuine concern was needed by all the world to bring it back from the brink of destruction, if that could be accomplished

[Radio_Lady]

57. Hi Stephen, Picking up on your comment, it appears that some Democrats

are worried that none of the present candidates who have announced -- can win in 2008.

The attachment to Gore is that the nextg election will be a "DO-OVER." Gore is a "walking reminder of what the last seven years might have been like" if Gore had actually achieved the Presidency. A win in the next election would be the correction of a grevious error made in the 2000 election outcome.

Quotes are from from CNN's political pundit Bill Schneider on 2/09/07.

[LSK]

23. no, but it will be a talking point against him, thou not a good one

[porphyrian]

26. Not necessarily for us, but perhaps for others. - n/t

[WI_DEM]

30. Candidates don't get "drafted" anymore, unfortuantely. If he gets the nomination

he will have to get into the race and fight for it like everybody else.

[Radio_Lady]

41. I don't understand your point. How would he even get nominated if

he doesn't "throw his hat in the ring" before the primaries?

Also, why do you say that "candidates don't get drafted anymore"?

There are DU members who are trying to draft him RIGHT NOW!

[JackRiddler]

34. Correct.

I don't see how this isn't going to happen:

1) Gore only potential "name" candidate talking about anything at all.

2) The others are hairdo trifles.

He will have his groundswell.

[Radio_Lady]

81. Jack Riddler, thanks for responding. "Hairdo trifles" -- that's rich!

Al Gore has inherited a pretty good head of hair (excluding the bald spot in the back).

Barack Obama keeps his short but seems to have the regular areas covered. (His wife, seen on 60 Minutes, has a nice do, too!) Wes Clark has good hair, as I recall. Kucinich is OK. Of course, Hillary is tended to perennially by her hairdressing staff. Who am I missing?

Appreciate your comment.

Waiting for the ground-swell.

Have a wonderful week, and happy Valentine's Day to you, sir.

[RestoreGore]

36. I think Mr. Gore should be allowed to do what HE feels is necessary for this world

I'm personally tired of the "draft" talk (especially when drafts do not happen in this bought and sold system anymore, and I know that firsthand as does Mr. Gore who stated the same thing on the Larry King Show) because it is diverting the conversation from working on this crisis NOW because it is urgent to do so because even as he has stated, this is not about him but about keeping our eye on the prize, which is our planet.

How many who want to "draft" him even know their own carbon footprint or are carbon neutral? You also cannot ask him to do something you are unwilling to do YOURSELF. And if anyone answers that he needs to be drafted to be credible, they are no real supporter of his in my eyes. It is such a shame that so many see him for what he is and not who he is. So again, I post the quote he made in the NJ Bergen Record in June 2006: "I miss the ability to influence events, but I don't miss politics." PUSHING him into it is not going to then serve any good purpose in my view, especially when it is evident he is doing great things out here.

Why does it seem those efforts however, are not truly appreciated and the conversation always gets pushed to this? To me, such a myopic view is actually part of this country's problem. To think a problem cannot be solved unless it is done from ONE location by only ONE person is in my view also a cop out. And in all honesty, he was offered a draft into this military industrial complex system in 2004 and turned it down. Now if that doesn't tell people something, I don't know what does.

It is obvious to me he now wants to influence events from the perspective of an environmentalist, statesman, author, teacher, and businesman, utilizing his decades of experience and knowledge to move not only this country but this world forward. He is our spokesman for the planet, and for me that is a very credible position to hold.

[Radio_Lady]

82. As I understand it, you'd rather have him in the environmental arena than in the Oval Office?

"He is our spokesman for the planet, and for me that is a very credible position to hold."

Got it. Thanks for your comments.

[Rosemary2205]

37. Al Gore is NOT a liar

he said he will not run for president again and I believe him.

[NYCGirl]

38. Except that he's never said that. He's never made the "Sherman" statement. NT

[RestoreGore]

39. Why does he have to? n/t

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

42. Could You Explain Your Name Please?

I'm confused as to why someone who chose the name "RestoreGore," always seems to write posts which throw water on the whole Gore For President argument. Or criticize posters for going off topic by pushing the Gore In '08 argument.

And for those who say that Al Gore is better doing what he's doing, rather than becoming the next President, please share who you think is the Democratic candidate who not only is most qualified and capable of leading us out of the mess 8 years of King george has brought us, but is also the most likely to be able to survive the election season, and defeat the Repub nominee in November 2008?

I'll be honest, I don't really give a crap what Gore does for Global Warming and the environment, because if we have another repub administration after '08, or an inept/corrupt Democratic one, a la Hillary, then this whole country is going down the toilet anyways, and it will take a generation to repair the damage done.

And I assure you, Gore's efforts will be thwarted at every turn if we end up with say a McCain presidency. It's too important for Mr. Gore not to run.

[RestoreGore]

44. What does that have to do with anything?

Again, WHY does this man have to give a Sherman statement every election cycle to please everyone? He even stated that himself in an interview he gave I believe with Charlie Rose. Do you expect anyone who ever served in office to do the same? And to be honest, I'm curious as to why I have to put up with shit from people everytime I give an opinion here. I'll ask it again, why does he have to give a Sherman statement? Why the double standard for him? Can you answer it or not?

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

45. Why Do I Have To Stop Asking Him To Run?

If he doesn't have to issue a Sherman statement, then I most certainly don't have to stop asking him to run.

Heck, even if he did issue such a statement, I could still voice my interest in having him run.

You still did not explain the reason why you chose the DU name of RestoreGore, when you appear to be antagonistic to the idea of him running in '08.

[RestoreGore]

46. Who said you YOU HAD to do that?

Show me the direct quote. I also choose my name because of an effort I was running in 2004 to see him restored via constitutional amendment and write in/superdelegate vote at the convention and learned very fast that this system IS INDEED TOXIC, and I learned that Congress was not behind him. I have supported this man for EIGHTEEN YEARS, and my PAC was the ONLY PAC that continued to support his nomination in 2004 when everyone else dropped him like a hot potato after he endorsed Howard Dean. But again, lessons learned make you see other inconvenient truths.

I also happen to believe that the fate of our planet is much more important than any presidency, especially one stifled by corruption, lobbying, back door deals, and political powerplaying based on polls and entertainment value rather than honest reasoned debate and FAIR ELECTIONS. It is also in the end the ISSUES that matter, and I do not now wish to see this good man bogged down in another mudslinging media campaign that drags up everything from the last twenty years to throw at him including 2000 (especially since we all shirked our duty as citizens by letting that stand,) when he is truly doing something that goes way beyond their pettiness.

You can support this man and appreciate him without harrassing and pestering him to run for president every four years now. He can have great influence on the events in this country now as an environmental advocate, statesman, and businessman, and in my view it is seeing progress on this issue that is paramount to the constant one track 'run al run' talk from people who don't even seem to have the time to take his climate crisis campaign seriously. I support the man and want to see him remain the real man he is now, unencumbered by the beltway BS which I am sure would take his time from this issue that has been his heart for all of these years, and I sincerely want to HELP HIM regarding it, because it IS that important.

[frogcycle]

54. if I may chime in on this stimulating repartee

"the fate of our planet is much more important than any presidency..."

This is unquestionably correct.

BUT

There is every reason to believe we are very, very close to the culmination of the slow motion but carefully orchestrated coup which has been going on for about fifty years. It is the takeover of the United States Government by a cabal I will call - oh, let me just pull a name out of a hat - BIG BROTHER

BIG Brother does not just want to run North America; BIG BROTHER wants to run the world. BIG BROTHER is multinational corporations that don't give a rats ass about this or any other government, NOR ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET!


Without someone of Al Gore's stature, wisdom, leadership, astuteness (I could go on, but you get my drift) leading the fight against BIG BROTHER, BIG BROTHER will win. And if Al Gore is successfully waging a multinational campaign to save the planet, but BIG BROTHER wins, BIG BROTHER will flick him aside like a pesky gnat.

It is not a matter of saving the planet vs being president. They are one and the same, and I'll be damned if i can think of anyone else on the planet I want leading the fight.

[Radio_Lady]

58. Thanks for your input, FrogCycle. Being President is a huge job for any person.

Others in the Democrat camp may have the gumption to try and win the position; the difference is that many Democrats feel Gore actually won the race once, and deserves another chance.

[Raksha]

72. I'm repeating OrangeCountyDemocrat's question

and addressing it directly to you this time, because you are beginning to seriously annoy me...A LOT! I would have come down a lot harder on you a lot sooner if you'd had a different user name, because you ALWAYS show up on these draft-Gore threads and shit on the idea of him running again.

At this point I don't give a damn about your user name, except that it seems MORE than a little bit ironic, to say the least. If you're such a big Al Gore fan, WHY are you so opposed to the idea of him running for president again?

[Raksha]

71. I'd like an explanation for that too.

In fact, I was going to post something about it myself. Why does someone with the user name "RestoreGore" show up on EVERY "Draft Al Gore" thread and throw cold water on the idea, even to the point of dissing the people who want to see him run (me included)?

[Radio_Lady]

74. Well, as the OP, this does seem a little odd.

Additionally, the link in RestoreGore's personal information... does not seem to work.

It's http://progressivesforgore.com/

I also tried http://www.progressivesforgore.com and http://www.progressivesforgore.org

But let's not think ill of her unless a reply is shared. There are other links in her direct posts that DO work.

Thanks for the comments.

[Radio_Lady]

76. I don't think changing his mind, or being "drafted" -- makes him a liar.

Isn't that an extreme position?

[Seabiscuit]

43. As cool as that would be, nah, it's not necessary. Gore's credibility

already trumps the credibility of all other candidates combined.

He's already the *real* President of the U.S. He already deserves to serve the 8 years that were stolen from him.

[Radio_Lady]

47. Seabiscuit, you state it very succinctly. "He already deserves to serve the eight years that were..

stolen from him."

Very well stated, and I agree with you.

[Canuckistanian]

50. It really doesn't work that way anymore

They just start up the slime machine again. Pick up where they left off in 1999.

But I know what you mean. Drafting won't mean a thing to either the RW press or to the general public watching MSM TV.

Depressing, but probably likely.

[Radio_Lady]

59. Sorry, but that will happen whatever candidate the Dems decide to pick!

Now Clinton, Edwards, Obama, Kucinich, and all of the others will be potential targets for the slime. Regrettably, it goes with the territory.

The difference is that Al Gore actually was elected president by 500,000 votes last time. We all know what happened. What would be more fitting than asking him to run again for the good of the nation?

[Canuckistanian]

65. Indeed

And Gore would be the best thing for the country. This time, Gore has more respectability and is a stark contrast to the current squatter in the White House.

[Radio_Lady]

70. I like your thought. "This time, Gore has more respectability and is a stark contrast to...

... the current squatter in the White House." Wonderfully stated.

[barbtries]

52. disagree

[Radio_Lady]

79. Hi Barbtries... You're a lady of few words, but many pictures. Read your blog.

OT: I am sorry you lost your daughter. I just contacted the widow of a man I dated but SHE married. She has a daughter, but lost a 14 year old when his car was hit by a drunken driver. That was back in the 1980s.

One of my best friends lost her 21-year-old to cancer. She has one son, but every December, she mourns her child, who was a kindergarten playmate of my daughter, now 38 years old.

Children are not supposed to die before their parents.

I love your quote, "I stand on the sand, and I'm rocking grief to sleep in my arms."

In peace,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[barbtries]

80. thank you radio lady

[Radio_Lady]

83. You're very welcome, I'm sure.

[kster]

55. If I was Gore I would not run, not until I had CONFIDENCE

that, the people who voted for me would also stand shoulder to shoulder with me, in my fight, to get THE VOTES COUNTED, WE FAILED GORE.

Gore fought with everything he had to get OUR votes counted, what did WE do, WE watched him fight, And when the punks were pounding on the door (yelling stop the counting of our ballots) in Florida, WE watched.

I think first WE will have to convince Gore that this time WE will fight with him, to SEE that the votes get counted, when punks show up to stop the votes from getting counted in a state WE SHOW UP in that state, in short order.


Once Gore knows that we we will not only vote for him, but that WE will fight with him, to get every vote counted. I think he will come around.

Thats just my two cents...... :)

[Radio_Lady]

60. Thanks, Kster. Your two cents is worth more that you think!

Appreciate your comments.

[Edweird]

56. Not a bad idea,

maybe he's just waiting for this Hillary noise to quiet down a little bit. Plus, he's kinda in a spot, since he is friends with Bill Clinton. I'm sure he doesn't want to alienate the support he would need from him by challenging his wife.

[Radio_Lady]

61. Interesting observation. Do you think Hillary would take the VP slot?

The primaries could be Clinton and Gore all over again!

[treestar]

66. I don't thing he has to be drafted to be credible but it would be

the best way for any candidate.

It brings to mind Jefferson and Washington who wanted to retire to their estates but were dragged into the Presidency because they were needed at the time.

[Radio_Lady]

78. Very good! Reach back into history! Appreciate your comments!

OT: So, you've captured the "Light Bright Figure That Frightened Boston." The TV company is paying the City of Boston $2 million for that little escapade.

Did the two guys get fired? Did they incur some criminal penalty?

I was in Las Vegas Jan. 28 to Feb. 5 and was not watching much TV.

[madokie]

67. anyway he wants it will be fine with this okie

I am asking him to be my President

[Radio_Lady]

77. Madokie, I like your pizazz! "I am asking him to be my President."

Any thoughts on Vice President?

I appreciate your post!

[LWolf]

73. While that is a positive scenario,

I don't think he has to be drafted. He already has as much, (or more than most, imo), credibility than those who've already declared.

[Radio_Lady]

75. Maybe "draft" is the wrong word. Perhaps it should be "asked" to run.

Or called to duty, compelled, encouraged....

Entry Word: draft
Function: verb
Text: 1 to pick especially for required military service <my grandfather was drafted to fight in the war, even though he didn't want to go>
Synonyms: conscript, recruit
Related Words impress, enlist, enroll, sign up, volunteer.

Traditionally, "draft" has been the word used in both military and political circles.

"Let's not quibble, Sybil!"