Al Gore Supporters Move On

[RestoreGore]

Seems to me he is firmly resigned to his life now and to the work ahead in spending his full time working to mitigate this crisis, and I take him at his word as well.


http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-et-cause19oct19,1,4001260.story?coll=la-politics-campaign&ctrack=2&cset=true

Al Gore's supporters move on

Onetime backers of his presidential bid take the Nobel Peace Prize winner at his word that he's not running.

By TINA DAUNT, CAUSE CÉLÈBRE

October 19, 2007

AL GORE'S Hollywood fans applauded him at the Oscars, cheered at the Emmys and wept proud tears when he won the Nobel Peace Prize. But even now they admit that they'll probably never get the chance to dance at his inaugural ball.

Over the last few weeks, the core of Gore's Hollywood support has been quietly shifting its allegiance to other candidates. They have resigned themselves to that fact that, no matter how hard they press him and no matter what good fortune comes his way, the former vice president won't seek the presidency.

Rob Reiner said he has had conversations with Gore about his intentions and he takes him at his word.

"He's not running," said Reiner, who has remained loyal to the former vice president since campaigning with him in 2000. (The director still carries in his brown satchel a signed copy of Gore's speech declaring that he would accept the Supreme Court decision that, effectively, ended his bid for the presidency against George W. Bush.)

Two weeks ago, Reiner announced that he would be supporting Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Last week he made a campaign ad for her. On Saturday, he and his wife Michelle will host a birthday party for the senator at his Brentwood estate.

Among the guests gathering for the Democratic front-runner's 60th birthday will be two of Gore's other major Hollywood fans -- Warner Bros. Entertainment President Alan Horn and his wife Cindy. A Warner Bros. spokeswoman said this week that the couple is endorsing Clinton.

The decision by the Reiners and the Horns is significant. For the last two years, they have worked intensely to encourage a Gore comeback.

Even before he became a movie star in the Oscar-winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth," they were honoring him publicly for his environmental efforts and courting him privately.

And if you think the online effort to draft Gore is impressive these days, it doesn't compare with the efforts of the movie moguls.

Their pitches are seductive. In addition to the Reiners and the Horns, every environmentalist in Hollywood was urging Gore to give it a go.

It was like the former vice president had became the MacGuffin in a political script.

Then reality set in. Although Gore is slightly Delphic about his plans, his intentions seemed clear to everyone who talked to him on a regular basis.

end of excerpt.

[Lucinda]

1. Hmmmmmm...

I was looking to see if Melissa Etheridge endorsed anyone, as sort of an absolute "tell" that Gore wasn't running, but the article makes sense.

[RestoreGore]

5. I don't know

I know she is playing the Nobel concert this December and am looking forward to that. Don't know if she ever publicly endorsed anyone previously or would now.

[Lucinda]

7. I think she'd follow Gore to the ends of the earth

based upon everything I've seen her say in interviews the past few years. So my thinking was that if she went public about someone else, it would be the absolute indicator that he wasn't running. I think she'd know his plans. I'm not sure about her previous endorsments either... Glad she is playing the Nobel Concert!

[RestoreGore]

9. Maybe she does, maybe she doesn't

I suppose we will have to wait and see, but you make a good point. I'm also looking forward to Annie Lennox playing the concert. I love her music. <Sigh> knowing he won the prize is one thing, actually seeing him receive the medal will bring more tears... proud, happy, and hopeful ones. Thanks for your responses here.

[Lucinda]

29. Me too

Seeing Gore receive the medal AND listening to Annie. LOVE her voice soooo much. :)

[RestoreGore]

75. yes

Love all her music; Sweet Dreams, Here Comes The Rain Again, No More I Love Yous, Why, and Walking on Broken Glass, which actually fits this thread quite nicely. And yes, seeing him receive this medal will be a great moment of vindication as I am sure we also will then see his detractors whine and put on programs about his movie where they claim there were inaccuracies even though they never watched it. If this all wasn't so serious it would be downright hilarious.

[Uncle Joe]

2. Your link says page not found when I click on it. n/t

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Milo_Bloom]

4. The people say otherwise.

http://democracyforamerica.com/pulsepoll/results?&&r=1

[tritsofme]

15. Yes, because a niche internet poll

Is representative of all Democrats.

[KoKo]

6. I would be glad to have a candidate who isn't getting endorsed

by anyone but the out here who want him to get into the race next Spring when the numbers are too close for the other candidates and he can bring a consensus.

Not taking money or having the usual Dems plus the Lobbyists endorse him is a plus. We will have to wait and see how it all shakes out. But, if Rob Reiner is giving a birthday bash for Hillary...then that's fine. I wish he would endorse John Edwards...rather than Hillary...but whatever.

[book_worm]

8. I agree he's not running. If he was even contemplating such a run he would at least tell

his Hollywood supporters who can help raise a ton of cash to "hold steady, I'm still thinking." Because he still is going to have to raise a lot of money fast if he was going to run. Yes, Gore is winning things like DFA poll where Draft Gore folks can e-mail and tell fellow supporters to go and vote, but it's getting to be too late in the game to suddenly jump in.

[Milo_Bloom]

10. The nice thing about Hollywood cash...

... is there is a LOT of it. The same people can (and will) give to multiple campaigns.

For example:

Edwards, John
SPIELBERG, KATE C
LOS ANGELES,CA 90015
SELF EMPLOYED/ACTRESS
3/13/2007
$2,300

Clinton, Hillary
SPIELBERG, KATE C
LOS ANGELES,CA 90064
SELF EMPLOYED/ACTOR
3/28/2007
$2,300

Edwards, John
SPIELBERG, STEVEN
LOS ANGELES,CA 90064
SELF EMPLOYED/PRODUCER
3/13/2007
$2,300

Clinton, Hillary
SPIELBERG, STEVEN
UNIVERSAL CITY,CA 91608
SELF EMPLOYED/PRODUCER
3/28/2007
$2,300

Richardson, Bill
SPIELBERG, STEVEN
UNIVERSAL CITY,CA 91608
SELF-EMPLOYED/PRODUCER
5/1/2007
$2,300

Obama, Barack
SPIELBERG, STEVEN MR
LOS ANGELES,CA 90064
DREAMWORKS/CEO/PRESIDENT
3/8/2007
$2,300



or even Mr. Reiner himself

Clinton, Hillary
REINER, ROBERT
BEVERLY HILLS,CA 90210
CASTLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT/FILM DIRE
2/21/2007
$2,300

Richardson, Bill
REINER, ROBERT
BEVERLY HILLS,CA 90210
CASTLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT/FILM PROD
3/29/2007
$2,300

Edwards, John
REINER, ROBERT
BEVERLY HILLS,CA 90210
CASTLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT/FILM PROD
3/31/2007
$1,150

Dodd, Christopher J
REINER, ROBERT
BEVERLY HILLS,CA 90210
CASTLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT/FILM DIRE
3/27/2007
$1,000

[RestoreGore]

12. Yes, there is always PLENTY OF MONEY

That's what it's all about, even to those groups that call themselves "grassroots" yet still spend 65,000 for an ad instead of doing something constructive with it. One reason I believe why Mr. Gore seems turned off to it all. And I can't blame him. Of course, to those who don't get it MONEY will of course once again be the factor on all sides with this being the most EXPENSIVE election in history...and for what? Sound bite tv ads and hair gel? Spare me.

[Milo_Bloom]

13. Encouraging Al to run (when he clearly hasn't closed the door) IS constructive.

Since Al Gore has REFUSED to close the door on a possible run, all the money being spent on his behalf is only wasted if he really wasn't planning on running in the first place.

That's reality. Learn to live with it.

[RestoreGore]

16. Are you the designated anklebiter for this thread?

And on his behalf? Please don't make me laugh. If people truly cared about doing things on his behalf they would be supporting his organizations and getting this message out across political lines, not some ego trip of their own. And I live reality very well, better than those hiding behind a draft movement so they don't have to get out here and do anything that requires real work.

[Milo_Bloom]

18. Yeah, collecting signatures, getting out there, that doesn't require any work at all.

Of course posting on a message board over and over again on your own personal mission to try and make up for the fact that you personally kept up a draft movement AFTER he asked for the Draft Gore movment to stop has NOTHING to do with anything.

I think what we be the funniest thing is to watch you turn into a Gore hater when he does announce.

[RestoreGore]

23. Never happen

because if he ever runs again I know it won't be because any groups using him will have had any influence in his decision because I learned much in the past seven years myself, and one of those things I learned is that he is not influenced by superficial overtures.

[Milo_Bloom]

24. LMAO.

Awww, because he didn't listen to you last time, you think he can never be influenced by others?

Its amazing how easy it is to get you to admit the reasons for your obsession with this subject.

You are certainly one of the most entertaining people I have seen, even more than some of the paid Hilary shills, because you actually believe it, even when basic logic and facts prove you wrong.

[RestoreGore]

27. He was not influenced by Draft Gore 04 or any other group either

And it wasn't a question of him not listening to me, so why would you even type that when he didn't listen to Draft Gore or any other group then either and doesn't seem to be too enamoured with them now? Is that why they are contining this pushing? Because they are angry at him for not listening to them? And it seems you're obsessed with me here. I posted an article here. I'm not here 24/7 posting about skewing polls and running ads and begging. All I know is, if you think he can be influenced by a poll or a tv ad after all he has said and written, you haven't been paying attention to him.

[Milo_Bloom]

36. Because he asked them to stop in 2002.

He made it very clear in 2002 that he wasn't going to run AND contacted the draft Gore movement.

If you think he can't be influenced by polls, running ads and begging then you haven't been paying attention.

[RestoreGore]

40. No, that isn't true

The DraftGore 04 movement did not stop until the day after he endorsed Howard Dean. That was the day their site came down, not one day before. I wish people would stop spreading this misinformation to make it look like he is somehow in favor of it more now than then. He is treating this one no different than he did the last one.

[proud2BlibKansan]

42. And how do you know the exact date a website came down?

You seem far more interested in promoting the idea that Gore is NOT running than in actually promoting his work, as you so often like to claim.

[RestoreGore]

45. Because I was part of it

I know more than you think I do.

[proud2BlibKansan]

48. I know you are obsessed

which is all I really need to know :crazy:

[RestoreGore]

51. Typical response

When stopped in one's tracks. The only real obsession I can say I have is with saving this planet... which is a lot healthier than stalking Al Gore like some are doing on these blogs down to knowing his every appearance and his actions every waking hour so they can go harrass him. Now that's scary. :scared:

[proud2BlibKansan]

54. Then what are you doing here?

Better go plant some trees or something! Winter is almost here. Planting season is over in a few weeks. :woohoo:

Need a shovel? I'll buy you one. :)

[Milo_Bloom]

55. I think the shovel part is covered...

How else could that much BS get moved around?

[proud2BlibKansan]

56. LOL

:rofl:

[Milo_Bloom]

49. He/She is just jealous that Gore didn't contact him/her

Instead of the people who he did contact.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/08/AR2007020801273.html

"In 2002, Gore asked Malone to stop a draft effort he had begun; Malone did. Malone started up again and, so far, Gore hasn't waved him off."

Gore did not go and contact EVERY SINGLE draft Gore organization, just the one that organized via AlGore.org

This time, he has not made contact with ANY of them asking them to stop.

[RestoreGore]

57. No, I'm not that shallow

And he didn't need to contact me, I contacted him. And when I met him last summer he was very grateful for the work done and I actually apologized to him if anything I had done may have been against his wishes. Again, I learned from my experiences. So your childish posting of this link and your tit for tat mentality in this thread is really showing what this is all about. I don't care if he asked anybody to stop then or now only out of a desire to keep the story straight. The point is that he does not appear interested in going through that crap again, and I don't blame him and I respect his words on it. Now you either respect that opinion or you dont't. I honestly don't care one way or the other about that either.

[Milo_Bloom]

59. No, not that shallow at all.

You don't spend your life on a message board trying to convince people not to ask someone who is clearly interested in hearing their opinions to run for office.

Your not shallow enough to have to try and name drop by mentioning a conversation you had with Al Gore.

Only a shallow person would go out of their way to waste so much time trying to speak for someone else and then have to mention an occasion in which they met him to bolster their ability to speak on the other person's behalf.

Nahhh, you wouldn't do THOSE things, right?

[RestoreGore]

64. Well I do know this hit a nerve with you

Sorry to break it to you, but the groupies here aren't the only people who have supported Al Gore. You'll just have to learn to deal with that.

[Milo_Bloom]

65. A nerve, nah? Funny bone, yes.

When someone makes the most shallow post possible and within it, declares they are not shallow, I can't help but point it out.

Your inability to live in the real world is the only reason I don't put you on ignore.

[Milo_Bloom]

47. This is how RestoreGore distorts the truth.

I stated "Because he asked them to stop in 2002.
He made it very clear in 2002 that he wasn't going to run AND contacted the draft Gore movement."


He/she responds with "The DraftGore 04 movement did not stop until the day after he endorsed Howard Dean."

Note how he/she avoids actually addresses what was said. You can read the truth here, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20... "In 2002, Gore asked Malone to stop a draft effort he had begun; Malone did. Malone started up again and, so far, Gore hasn't waved him off"

This gets to the root of RestoreGore's issues. he/she didn't stop even after Gore made 100% crystal clear not only that he wasn't running AND contacted the draft Gore movement asking them to stop. RestoreGore obviously feels personally slighted b/c Al Gore didn't contact him/her personally, but did contact Dylan Malone.

THIS election cycle, Gore has made no such Sherman statement as he did in 2002. Further, Gore has specifically NOT made contact with the Draft Gore movement asking them to stop, like he did in 2002, PROVEN several times over, despite RestoreGore's misinformation.

[RestoreGore]

50. Again with tha tlink?

Dylan Malone was not part of Draft Gore 04 which he never asked to stop, including a group called Elect Gore 04 which also went until the day after he endorsed Dean... and I know that because I worked with them as well. I guess you weren't following this as close as you would like some to think. So if this same BS back and forth is all you have to offer now, forget it. I know what happened because I was a part of all the groups. So much for your attenmpt to paint me as someone I am not. BTW, where were you then for all your supposed support of this man that you weren't aware of these groups? Wasn't he "popular" enough for you then?

[Milo_Bloom]

52. So we are to believe YOU over the Washington Post

And the owner of the website AlGore.org. They know nothing about it, but YOU, you know everything, because you were part of the ONE OF THE MANY draft Gore groups in 2002.

Where was I then? I listened to him in December of 2002 when he said he absolutely wasn't running and then when he waved off the Draft Gore movement and became one of the very first people to donate to the Howard Dean campaign.

When you find a link debunking the Washington Post story, let me know, until then you are just one nutty obsessed Gore fan, who is jealous he/she wasn't the one he contacted.

[RestoreGore]

61. I don't care what you believe

I know what's true. And that's funny calling me a nutty obsessed Gore fan with all the nutty obsessed please save me syncophants stalking him at every event and spending thousands of dollars on newspaper ads, and pushing petitions, and crying for him to run, and posting thread after thread about it. Methinks you have no idea what obsession is.

[Milo_Bloom]

63. Of course you do.

It is why you keep responding even when you are proven wrong, over and over and over again.

I will fully admit I am obsessed with Al Gore running. I want to vote for the democratic candidate in the next election and I am afraid I will not be able to do that, so I am trying to help recruit the best person for the job.

You, on the other hand, seem to be fighting to express someone else's opinion when you have no clue what that opinion really is. That's pretty sad.

[JackORoses]

67. "posting thread after thread about it" this is exactly what you do, RG

I had no idea this was all a personal issue with Al for you.
I thought you were just trying to push another candidate.

Now I have a whole new respect for your obsession.

Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive Al?

[RestoreGore]

69. oh my, another one chimes in

The only issue I have is with those who weren't there for the man when he wasn't good enough for them but all of a sudden think he is so wonderful now because he is popular. Those who weren't there for this country when it needed us the most but now think it is his "duty" to save them. Those who play games with politics for expedience, and those in this country who still don't get what he is talking about when he states "be the change you wish to see in the world." Twisting my comments here to suit your own purposes also doesn't make you look like anything but someone with sour grapes. I have absolutely nothing I would need to forgive Al Gore for. Matter of fact, he taught me a great lesson that I will always be grateful to him for. However, people like you, that's another story.

[JackORoses]

70. enlighten us, what was this grand lesson that Al taught you?

Do you really think he would appreciate what you're doing here if he could see the posts you have made?

I think he would see you as being just a tad selfish.

We are being the change we wish to see in the World, and we are choosing the person to lead us who best represents this change.
Can't you see that?

[RestoreGore]

71. Now I am getting suspicious about this inquisition

And yes, I think he would greatly appreciate what I am doing in supporting his current work, advocating for this planet, and supporting his decisions. Matter of fact, I know he does, and he appreciates mostly what we are all doing now in our lives to make changes. I think you need to take a long walk and get some fresh air. You are letting this get to your head. And I owe you nor no one else anything else in the way of any kind of conversation after the browbeating here. How dare you think to state that I or anyone here HATES him because they BELIEVE HIM and do not wish that mediocre political crap to be a part of his life again after what he went through. He is already my leader and I can also lead myself. I don' t expect him or anyone else to do it all. That is the purpose of his books and his words, and that is the lesson I have learned. He inspires me and I don't need him to have a title to do that. So no, I don't see that so let's leave it at that, because I am tired of this go round.

[RestoreGore]

11. I just wonder when we can move on to solutions to tthe climate crisis

Instead of constantly spinning in the "will he or won't he" mud. I think that is what he is wanting to do now (I know I am,) and knows that in order for that to happen he must keep his focus where it is for now in getting US to focus on it. Amazing though that if you support this man and state that you believe he is doing the right thing and that you believe his words you are ganged up on. No wonder he fell out of love with politics. These blogs are bad enough, so I can only imagine what he went through in that system for thirty years. And I agree, though yes, on some level for me as well it is also a bit sad, but it appears he is not interested in getting into the mess this time out, which was why he stated he was only 59... because there is plenty of time to run for president, but not plenty of time in getting the world on track regarding this crisis and frankly, he is right. One election regardless of who the candidate is is not going to solve this. 23% of Arctic ice melting in the last five years is indeed a planetary emergency that tells me we are at the tipping point way before we thought we would be and we urgently need his leadership and expertise full time to be free in the global community to set policy and bring education to those who would otherwise not get it. This is his strong point and his passion, which is why he may have told some to move on regarding the politics of this... and I am OK with that, because I am secure in the knowledge that wherever he chooses to use his vision, experience, and talents the world will be a better place for it and in the end that is what it is all about.

[Milo_Bloom]

14. GLobal warming is such a big problem ONLY government can solve it.

More reality for you.

[RestoreGore]

17. So how many letters have you sent to this government about it then?

And ONLY government? Now that's BS, because it can't happen without US and with a government that isn't corrupted to the core. Unless of course you support that Unitary Executive dictatorship. But since you believe that you then should be very busy contacting representatives and politicians on all levels about it, because this one has and is doing such a GOOD JOB of it the last thirty years. :eyes:

[Milo_Bloom]

19. Tons.

Without government getting involved NOTHING will get done. The Government has the ability to influence policy, trade agreements, etc.. all of which can get to the root causes.

Further, as Al Gore pointed out very clearly, the SYSTEM needs to be changed, maybe if you read his book, Assault on Reason, you would understand.

[RestoreGore]

20. That's right. And he can now influence that policy not just here, but on a GLOBAL scale

Thanks for playing. Good bye.

[Milo_Bloom]

22. Not in the least.

He cannot control trade agreements, restrictions or anything else from his current position.

In reality, he has very little real influence in his current position.

[RestoreGore]

25. You don't know that

Many people owe him. I am also sure that if a Democrat is "elected" in 2008 should he give the absolute unequivocal no stated in theh exact syntax needed, he will have great influence in policy. Unless of course, you have no faith in his abilities to influence policy and events. I do.

[Milo_Bloom]

26. Owe him? Owe him what?

The proof that he has little to no influence is alreay obvious to anyone paying attention.

NO candidate has even attempted to make Global Warming a signature issue. They offer the problem lip-service and band-aid plans and that is with the possibility of his endorsement looming. Even after he came out and made the statement that he may endorse someone if they showed leadership on this issue... he was met with silence... from candidates in his own party.

Private Citizen Gore has, unfortunately, had almost 0 influence over candidates in his very own party, during an election year and you think he is going to be able to wave considerable influence over them when it the White House?!?

THIS is exactly why I find you so entertaining.

[RestoreGore]

28. The year isn't over yet

I think it's coming as he has also stated it will be a more prominent issue, and I believe after The Alliance for Climate Protection starts its ad blitz that will have a greater effect. So if you will excuse me I will end this now, because your smugness is making my skin crawl.

[Yukari Yakumo]

30. The real truth of the Draft Gore movement...

"It’s about how petty and parochial our causes have become, how activism has become narcissism." -- Bill Maher

I think the Draft Gore movement is less about what Gore wants and more about what a tiny, but vocal, group wants. "To Hell with what Al wants to do, it's all about what we want." Honestly, I don't want to put a man in charge who doesn't want the job. And it's been abundantly clear Gore doesn't want the job. He hasn't said he doesn't want the job, but he doesn't need to. He has not assembled any kind of exploratory committee or any groups of any kind. He has no offices anywhere. He has no staffers or other kind of foot soldiers on the ground. And it is late October. Deadlines to file or even begin to file official petitions to be on the ballot are coming due very soon. And Al has made no movement to do any of that.

People, it's time to move on.

[JackORoses]

34. "And it's been abundantly clear Gore doesn't want the job" Bullshit

Just because he hasn't assembled a Machine like Hillary does not mean he doesn't want the job.

He is not going to do this the same way as HRC. He doesn't have to bully people into voting for him.

He just has to win their admiration, which he is continually doing with his actions.

We all already know who he is. He doesn't have to create an Image.

And mark my words,
when most people vote, they will vote for this living breathing human being over that machine every time.

[Milo_Bloom]

38. Gotta love the mis-use of the quote.

The poster here uses the quote Bill Maher used to describe the protest from breast feeding women and is trying to compare it to people trying to recruit the best candidate for a job... a job he is clearly still interested in by his absolute and complete REFUSAL to issue a similar denial to the one he issued in 2002.

The fact that even without the machine assembled, Gore is STILL winning the DFA poll AND has obtained as many "supporters" as fully running funcationing campaigns.

[Milo_Bloom]

37. LOL

The year isn't over yet? So suddenly you think one of these candidates is going to make Global Warming a center piece of their campaign just to court Gore, yet they haven't done so until now?

All this because you didn't listen to him in 2002 and aren't listening to him now.

[RestoreGore]

44. No, because even Mr. Gore stated he doesn't have to play the 500 day game.

So why are you? Are you hoping no one else makes it an issue? If so then you don't care about it. And in 2002 I was part of Draft Gore 04... before I saw it was only an ego trip for those running it and got out.

[Milo_Bloom]

53. Why did he bring it up MONTHS ago?

Why did he express his disappointment MONTHS ago?

You really need to get your story straight.

[RestoreGore]

68. He stated with Wolf Blitzer just LAST MONTH at the UN

That there was still time and he hoped they would and mentioned Dodd's plan for a carbon tax. Did you miss that? And none of us has any idea what he may be doing in talking about this to anyone behind the scenes. He even mentioned he had in an interview with Harvard Magazine last month as well. So why are you continuing to dog me here? Just what is the real reason for it?

[MagickMuffin]

72. Several of your statements are really striking

Instead of constantly spinning in the "will he or won't he" mud

If Gore would declare his presidency, he would automatically end that debate, hench no more spinning.

I think that is what he is wanting to do now (I know I am,) and knows that in order for that to happen he must keep his focus where it is for now in getting US to focus on it.

He could instantly be able to make this a larger issue if he were running. Think about EVERY rally he went to speak. He would have a platform to discuss his issues and how best to bring about change. Such as bringing back industry to help create jobs for solar technology. It's already there, but due to "clean coal" the nuke, and petro lobbyist it is being set back. We have a manufacturing plant that is trying to create solar shingles. Wow, just think of Gore's influence he could have running for president?

No wonder he fell out of love with politics.

I believe the reasons he fell out of love with politics is because of his last bid. The media destroyed him in a certain sense, as they did with John Kerry, Howard Dean. The media machine is a large part of the problem with political discourse. When you have CNN bringing in one of Tom Bugboy DeLay's friend as a lobbyist then you know how the game is rigged within the media machine.

One of the reasons why I think Al didn't run last time is I think he didn't want to be a part of the Bush redo. Just think how the media would have handled that. I'm almost certain that we could agree it would have been a circus. A feeding frenzy. After the last time around Al knew to sit that one out. I've always had the feeling Gore's family were threatened if he didn't concede in '00. The way the Gore's looked approaching the cameras, you could just tell they looked kinda scared. Now we do have some info about Rush, and others making threats, so perhaps my gut is right. It was best that he didn't enter last time around. The time is right this time around.

Al doesn't really need the media this time around. He has other options available to him. Like the internets he invented.;=D

And I agree, though yes, on some level for me as well it is also a bit sad, but it appears he is not interested in getting into the mess this time out, which was why he stated he was only 59... because there is plenty of time to run for president, but not plenty of time in getting the world on track regarding this crisis and frankly, he is right.

Let's consider that a Democratic candidate wins the election in '08, and then they'll probably run again for 12 and win. Al will be 67. His time is now. He has everybody's attention now. In 8 years maybe no one will be listening to him. But he has quite a bit of fame behind him, capital if you will, to spend it NOW!
Also as far as getting the world on track, just think every time he spoke at the United Nations. Talk about getting the world's attention. He could bring people to the table to deal with the crisis. He wouldn't have the same level of awareness that actually working with other governments as he would have with being the President of the United States.

One election regardless of who the candidate is is not going to solve this. 23% of Arctic ice melting in the last five years is indeed a planetary emergency that tells me we are at the tipping point way before we thought we would be and we urgently need his leadership and expertise full time to be free in the global community to set policy and bring education to those who would otherwise not get it.

But Al Gore being president would bring about planetary change faster. He could use his role as president to create the change needed now. He would have the platform to make the necessary arguments that the global community needs to start working together now to slow down the rate of our shrinking ice caps. Industry would have to meet the new demands that are required to maintain better living conditions. I don't think Gore will be able to set policy without the title of president. Maybe he could just make everyone do his bidding without the title but somehow I don't think he could have the same effect.

How would Gore set policy without being president?

This is his strong point and his passion, which is why he may have told some to move on regarding the politics of this... and I am OK with that, because I am secure in the knowledge that wherever he chooses to use his vision, experience, and talents the world will be a better place for it and in the end that is what it is all about.

If he refuses to use this opportunity to bring forth the plans this world needs as the president, I think he would have squandered his chances. I know he will always campaign for the world, but this is the best time for him. He should use his passion on becoming this nation's president. Quite frankly, I'm not OK with him not running in '08 and making his mission known to the world right now. He's a smart man and I love and appreciate everything he's doing, but it just doesn't make sense to me why he would sit this one out. Hopefully he will have the vision to realize this IS his time to be the leader of the free world. Maybe he could restore America from the mess this country is in because of the United States supreme court's decision in '00 to deny Gore his rightful place.

[RestoreGore]

74. His "time" is when he wants it to be his time

And right now, I believe he wants it to be his time to be a world leader in bringing about mitigation of this crisis and that is exactly what he is doing. There are so many obstacles and uncertainties to going backward that no one even attempts to discuss, and since he too knows there is limited time, this one election is not the magic bullet regardless of the candidate. It is GLOBAL policy we need on this now with this country as a part of it, and I think that is where he knows he can be of most service right now.

In the end however, he will do what he wishes to do and no one here or anywhere else is going to influence that one way or the other regardless of how many polls, petitions, or letters they write telling him he needs to be "president" without delineating how that would be accomplished in the same system that kicked him to the curb with NO guarantee it wouldn't happen again or that he would even make it because of what would be thrown at him. What he has now is a SURE THING and that is what he needs to be able to continue to make progress on this crisis. And that is because it was he who went through what he went through and it is he who now knows the best course of action to take for what should be the goal we all have.

As "president" of the military industrial complex he would not be able to devote the passion and time to this that he has now. He would simply then be considered just another "politician" instead of a Nobel Peace Prize winner and a global leader whose work would then be diminished by the media as they would then be pummelling him daily by stating they knew all along that he did all of this for his own selfish aspirations. It would be relentless and the focus would be lost to the 24/7 Gore/Hillary Clinton steel cage match politcos are salivating for that I am sure would be the topic du jour on every blog rather than his work on this crisis, because simply that is the nature of the beast.

And I can pretty much surmise that the first time he didn't meet expectations that the same people who now claim they will have his back will be jumping on him too. It is the nature of politics and it is the nature of this crappy political system that needs a full overhaul before anyone with the vision he possesses would have true success. Oh yes, he could attain it more than likely now because people would vote for him because they hate someone else, or because he won a prize, or some other "emotional" reason besides the issues, but that is only the first step and based on his book TAOR, I think he wants more and I think he deserves it. And once you get there if the real masters who run this government let you, then what? How do you implement the effective evasive policy this crisis would require with a Congress who will be fighting tooth and nail and delaying what needs to be done NOW? No, I firmly believe the quickest way to getting the binding targets we need NOW is to apply great International pressure to this government come THIS December that will then lead to domestic action.

We can't wait until someone else gets "installed" because then it would take even more time to even get anything passed depending on the make up of Congress then that not too many seem to be concerned about. It must then be done on an interntaional level this year with all the countries that are the greatest polluters signing on. And I do believe Mr. Gore's influence now as a Nobel Peace Prize winner and the awakening this world is seeing because of circumstances will bring that global treaty to pass. This isn't about one political campaign, this is about our survival. And for any future plans in that other arena, Mr. Gore can run well into his sixties in my view if he wishes to if not now. He is a healthy man with a brilliant mind. To me, this now or never garbage is just that. Garbage.

[lame54]

21. he has NOT said no yet

until then:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0Nnph3zkHNw

[Pastiche423]

31. That video is terrific!

Thanks so much for posting it.

[JTFrog]

35. That is the best cartoon in your sig.

It's one of my favorites!

[Pastiche423]

39. I fell in love w/it the moment I saw it

The illustrator, Victor Juhasz did a fine job in expressing my feelings towards Al and the 2008 campaign.

You can visit his site here:

http://www.victorjuhasz.com/

[JTFrog]

62. Thank you so much.

I was wondering who did it!

[dave29]

32. I will wait for Al Gore himself to say he is not running. Period.

I don't take my direction (no pun intended) from Hollywood. Nor do I claim to know what his "word" is since some people desperately need that spelled out for them in concrete... so I can't take him at anything other than he has "no plans to run."

But, I do appreciate the sentiment. I just want it understood that he is the only person I would fully support as the Democratic Candidate. Until it's official, I'm with Gore.

I may even write him in when I vote.

Sorry.

Let Gore do what he wants. It isn't yours or mine, or Hollywoods decision. At the very least we can agree to disagree on the besy way he can deal with the Climate Crisis.

[RiverStone]

46. I empathize with your stand, but...

Even the most determined Gore optimists acknowledge that he must make an announcement by early November to make some BIG state primary filing deadlines.

Gore could win on short notice, but the primary machine can't place him on the ballots quickly.

My dim Gore in 08 hope is flickering out...almost gone....another week or so and I'm letting go. Damn shame, cause the Presidency is his for the taking.

Well, maybe 2016 (after 2 Dem terms) - I think he will be 68.

[JTFrog]

33. Al Gore Supporters Move On?

Finally you come out and admit it.

Oh yeah, nice pedestal.

[RestoreGore]

41. I didn't writte it

And you're still stalking I see.

[JTFrog]

60. You posted and supported it.

'Nuff said.

You're still on your self inflated pedestal pissing down on hope wherever you go I see.

[RestoreGore]

66. Nuff said? I hope so where you are concerned.

[Swamp Rat]

43. NeoGore is "The One!"

Your mind has been altered by the Matrix.

[Mike03]

58. Painful as it is, I agree... Gore does not act

like a man preparing to run for president.

The next task for people like me who have not donated pending his decision not to run is figuring how where it makes sense to donate funds.

[JTFrog]

73. Not this shit again!