Al Gore is NOT going to run. Why is everyone wasting time & money on this?

[icymist]

From the get-go Gore said he isn't going to run and he still says he won't run. Why do I still hear advertisements on Air America Radio 'drafting Al Gore' to run? Would not the time, effort, and money be better spent on the best possible democratic choice? I know that that's what I would rather see in this next presidential election..... The best possible candidate that to be president.

[redqueen]

1. Yay! Another one!

:popcorn:

:rofl:

[icymist]

5. Another what?

I'm confused by your post.

[redqueen]

8. Another thread about Gore and whether he is / isn't going to end up a candidate.

There's more than a few already. :)

[Javaman]

21. Hey! share some of that!!

:popcorn:

[New Earth]

2. why do you care?

[Why Syzygy]

3. I suspect

because the "best possible candidate" doesn't hold a candle to Gore.
"Lower your sights" is a popular DU whompa slogan.

[icymist]

12. Now if that isn't a slap at me for just asking a honest question, than what is?

Are you trying to belittle my attempt at honest discussion by degrading any standards at the start? This type of argument disregards anything about Kucinich and Edwards.

[Why Syzygy]

47. Not any more

than your slap at the Draft Gore movement and our time and money which we are free to spend in any way we desire, same as you.
Come out swinging and what do you expect?
Too late to feign "honest discussion".
edit to add: This thread smells like bait and absolutely not your claim to "honest discussion".

[icymist]

4. Why do I care?!

What kind of question is that? Okay then, Why do you not care?

[New Earth]

6. because if people still want to believe he might run

even if he is not going to, that is their right to believe it...and they really are not hurting anyone.

[redqueen]

9. Apparently they are... people are losing their damn minds over this.

It's quite perplexing really.

[New Earth]

22. it is nice to know that people care

but I don't think it is really anyone's business, if it's not hurting anyone other than the people who still believe.

[BuelahWitch]

13. And it's not time to "fall in line" behind anyone yet

No votes have been cast. Nothing is "inevitable" in November 2007 (I oughtta know, as a form Deaniac). I'm a Gore person too, but I gave some money to Dennis because of his stand on impeachment.

[redqueen]

26. Yay!

:loveya:

Good point about it not being 'fall in line' time yet. I dunno why this topic seems to get under so some people's skin. Weeeeeeeird.

[sandnsea]

7. Irresponsible waste of money

And yes people ought to be responsible with their money. Al Gore ought to be a stop to it. With everything going on in the world, this is a colossal waste of time and money.

[redqueen]

11. That's another thing that makes me think there's no final conclusion reached

either way.

Why would he continue to refuse to make a firm statement? It's so easy... he only has to say, "I will not run" or contact the Draft Gore movement in a more serious manner than an e-mail from a staffer to a regional group.

The whole situation is just so odd...

[sandnsea]

32. It's very odd

I haven't said anything one way or the other so far, I figured it was Al's call. But now that a significant amount of money is being spent, it's a bit different to me. There are children going hungry, in this country, right this very day for chrissake. This obsessiveness could really end up blowing up in Al's face and we do not need that. He has said he's going to be involved in that venture capital group, I think that pretty clearly means he isn't going to be running. He wouldn't intentionally create an economic conflict of interest. The money would have been better spent putting a full page ad in some red districts with the science on climate change.

[JackORoses]

10. I often wonder about the vested interests of these types of posters

Will it really satisfy you if all those who support Gore bow down and accept your Ultimate Opinion?

What is the true intent of this post?

Are the hopeless always envious of the hopeful?

[Milo_Bloom]

16. Jack, question for you...

I have been a huge draft Gore supporter and given money to both the national DraftGore.com and California movments... Gore really was my only hope for the democratic party in this election cycle.

Do you believe that the contact made by the Gore staffers is sincere or part of a different strategy?

One of the keys for me in this movement has been Gore's unwillingness to try and stop people from spending time and effort, but he seems to have doen just that. Isn't hope at this point a little misplaced?

Please, if you have some angle I have not considered, throw me the life line.

[JackORoses]

37. apparently the mystery staffer only contacted groups gathering signatures for the Primaries

and discouraged them from trying to add his name to the ballot.

They made no contact with groups raising money and collecting petition-to-run signatures. This is why Draft Gore is not calling it quits.

This is not like what happened in 2002 when Gore actually contacted Draft Gore and others to stop their efforts.

Al knows that a Sherman Statement is what we are waiting for before throwing in the towel,
And yet he comes out and specifically says he will not make said statement.

Al would not let people waste their time and money. He is a better man than that.

This all leads me to believe that something is going on.

Whether it is an impending entrance into the Democratic Primary or a potential Independent Candidacy, I can't say.
(Perhaps, a staffer knew of an upcoming announcement which will eliminate the need for involuntarily placing his name on the ballot)

Al is still sending smoke signals
and where there is smoke, there is fire.

[Milo_Bloom]

42. Thank you!

That is a very interesting distinction and it is very surprising that they made no contact with the largest organization operating (draftgore) who is actively raising money to pay for ads, which are airing.

I guess, for now, I will continue to hold hope on my old deadline of 12/4 (filing deadlines for Tenn and California)

[sandnsea]

35. Support the cause

That's the way to support him. He does not have to be President to address the climate crisis. He'd be a significantly better President than any of our current candidates, but putting money into helping him get the changes made would seem to me to be more effective at this point.

[Milo_Bloom]

14. At this point I agree.

Al Gore's staff contacted the draft Gore movements and asked them to stop.

Unfortunately, for me, it means i will not be voting for a democrat in the next election, unless somehow the impossible happens and Kucinich becomes the nominee.

I am debating right now between staying a registered democrat and voting for Kucinich in the CA primary, OR temporary switching to republican party to try and vote for the candidate who is most likely to create a race where most people dislike both candidates and a well financed 3rd party with a real indepdent might have a good shot of winning. I have until January 21 to decide.

[cali]

17. well,

keep that up and we won't be hearing much from you here. Advocating against dems and for third party candidates isn't such a good idea if you want to stick around.

[Milo_Bloom]

19. I wouldn't plan on posting here anymore.

I can't find any reason to vote for any of the currently democratic candidates, except for Kucinich, but I fear he has no real chance for a ton of reasons I have discussed in the past.


I just am deciding whether to spit in the wind and vote Kucinich or spit in the wind and try and influence the republican primary.

[cali]

24. I'd hope you vote for Kucinich who actually deserves your vote

instead of throwing it away on a repuke in a cockamamie scheme.

[yodermon]

15. Because if GORE stays in the spotlight then the CLIMATE CRISIS

stays in the spotlight. If he issues a Sherman statement, people will pay less attention to him, and by extension the climate crisis. He wants to save the world by any means necessary, and he'll piggyback on 2008 campaign innuendo & speculation until every last primary filing date is past. Then he *still* won't issue a Sherman statement which will fuel more attention for a write-in campaign. He will milk this for all that it's worth to keep the climate crisis in the forefront of people's consciousness, and good on him for it.

Also, the mere speculation that he'll enter the race will serve to keep pressure on the other candidates to keep climate change as major planks in their respective platforms.

I do think that if it looks like a write-in campaign is *actually* gaining steam later in 2008, and it's actually threatening to split the Democratic vote, he'll come in and endorse someone or make the Sherman statement. But why the hell would he do so now, only to let the spotlight fall away?

More Americans probably heard him say "replace the payroll tax with a carbon tax" on 30 Rock the other nite than from all his appearances on news shows over that past year.

Just IMHO. :)

[Atman]

18. Wasting WHAT?

The people asking a man to lead them out of darkness is a waste how exactly? Oh, if you're a Hillary supporter, I suppose it could be scary. But personally, I'll keep imploring the man to run until he goes Sherman on us.



.

[icymist]

20. Don't get me wrong, I love Al Gore. I love what he's done for our planet, so far.

It's just that when the man says he won't run for President, than I believe he won't run. At that point, I begin to look at the Democratic candidates that share most with my values and beliefs. That's what I want to put my energy and money behind.

[terrya]

23. I don't think he has, excuse the hoary cliche, the "fire in his belly"

I genuinely think he loves what he's doing right now. And a Presidential campaign, with the constant need of raising money, would distract from his committment to fighting global warming. Just my humble opinion.

[Uncle Joe]

27. I won't or will not is future tense, Al Gore has never said that.

He has only said "he has no plans" present tense. Until he slams the door or time runs out, I'm not slamming the door. I'm with Al Gore until the end, whenever that is.

[gollygee]

25. I can't help hoping

I just can't help it.

But I wouldn't spend any money on it at this point. It's to the point of incredibly unlikely at best.

*sigh*

But my hope hasn't run out yet, even if it isn't entirely rational.

[redqueen]

28. ...

:hug:

I can certainly understand wanting to hold onto hope...

[AngryAmish]

29. I heard he is announcing next week

[icymist]

30. How many times has he announced now? How many hints?

How many unclear statements? The man has a book, a movie, and a tour to promote. That's all and great with a very worthy cause. Now, a very serious cause, maybe as big as global warming, looms; Who will control the largest supper-power the Earth has ever known? If the Neo-Cons win this election than the entire Earth looses just as big as if we ignored global warming.

[Uncle Joe]

36. Should the full wrath

of global warming climate change hit the fan, there will be no superpowers as there will be no people except maybe a handful of holdouts surviving for a limited period of time in the mountains of Paraguay.

[icymist]

38. Should the full wrath of Neo-Cons in unlimited power hit the fan...

even global disasters like global warming be ignored. Even those handful of holdouts won't survive. Please, let's put Al Gore aside for the moment and help elect a President that will work with the people for a change.

[Uncle Joe]

44. The neocons are in a hurt,

the people have seen them for what they are. I believe their power is ebbing, the only question is how much damage will the wounded beast do before they're voted out of office?

Regarding global warming the holdouts in Paraguay would be the Bush supporting neocons and their militia of Black Water types should global warming climate change hit the fan, that's why they purchased such a large tract of land including one of, if not the world's largest fresh water reserves. They know global warming is for real, this is their life boat, they've just given up on saving the rest of humanity without ever trying.

[icymist]

45. Humh. The Neo-Cons stills seem to hold some type of power over Congress.

Besides, have you looked at the flip-flopping Republican candidates lately? Recently Guilliani was endorsed by Pat Robertson. Mit Romney declared his opposition towards Gays, and the rest are either an ass or a puppet of the corporate right wing. Yeah, at the moment, the Neo-Cons are in a 'hurt' as you say, but they still have the ability to rebound if we Dems let them. This is why the time to send e-mail letters to Reed and Pelosi, is so critical, even if there is no reply. Keep the pressure on them. Let them know that we are watching them as we approach this next election.

[Uncle Joe]

46. I see this as a sign

of them splintering, Pat Robertson endorsing someone that is pro-choice? The last I heard, the Moral Majority as a whole were not giving an endorsement on the Presidential level.

I do believe there are elements that support a neocon agenda with a smilie face in the Democratic Party and I'm concerned about that as well. I believe the same powers that be, are working both sides of the aisle.

But in my final analysis, I don't believe even the neocons are so stupid as to start World War 3 on purpose. I do believe, they believe in social Darwinism or everyone should fend for them self and as such this philosophy makes it much easier for them to give up on even trying to curb the looming catastrophe of global warming climate change, other than making short sighted arrangements for their own survival.

I believe Al Gore recognizes this corruption of the system and is doing the best he can to work around that in the private sector to bring about solutions to global warming climate change, thus saving life as we know it.

[Forkboy]

31. I think it's just to piss you off.

:evilgrin:

[icymist]

33. I'm more bewildered. Not angry.

Kind of like after a statement from Al Gore saying he's not interested in the Presidency followed directly after an ad 'drafting' Al Gore to run for the Presidency. My question is simply,: Would not this money be better spent on someone WANTING to run for the Presidency? Speculation only follows on why Mr. Gore would allow such money and energy to be spent on a Presidential aspiration after hinting that he has no such interest.

I have an inquisitive mind.

[Malikshah]

34. To give you something to start a thread about. IOW to Spite you.

Not to spite anyone else. Just you.

BTW, Al told me to send this to you.

[icymist]

39. Awwww. Aren't you cute.

And yes, I only started this thread to make you respond in such a manner. Me too, for that matter.

[Malikshah]

40. See-- it all works out in the end. Everyone's happy.

Spleens are vented.
Teeth are gnashed.
Clothes are rent.
Pants are soiled.

Glad to oblige.

Best,

Cutie Patootie

[icymist]

43. Tooshay, my misguided friend.

Until this election is over and people began asking why so-and-so voted what when.

[Malikshah]

49. Misguided? Ooooh dear, I am utterly lost. It's cold out side and the

wolves are calling.

I do declare, I've got the vapahs...
:)

Whatever shall I do?

*must remember to think of the children*

[ecstatic]

41. I wonder how many homeless could have been housed & fed

with the money they spent on that ad. It's pure selfishness aand this reflects very poorly on Gore--he needs to set those people straight ASAP.

[Pastiche423]

50. I wonder how many homeless could have been housed & fed

w/all of the money spent on the other candidates. Afterall, only one can win.

Are people wasting their money on those that will lose?

[Kahuna]

48. Because we love him!

ALLLLLLLLLL!!! You're breakin' my heary! :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: