I am about 99 percent convinced that Gore is not going to run for president, but I thought it would be fun to try to argue the opposite, that he will run but has reasons for waiting, even beyond the early deadlines. So here are a few reasons why he might wait until, say, late November:

1. Gore is waiting for the opponents of Clinton, Obama and Edwards, to fizzle out so that he can make a surprise, late run against her that draws in dispirited Obama and Edwards supporters as well as his hard-core fans.
2. A late entry is consistent with his image as a reluctant politician who is getting in the race out of moral principle rather than lust for power (ala Clinton).
3. Gore doesn't want to run but has genuinely mixed feelings about it and may be "tempted" by continued support for his candidacy (e.g. by the DraftGore folks) even after the early deadlines have passed.
4. Gore knows that the other candidates have been campaigning in the early states and that he could probably not win there, so if he gets in it will be with an eye to a surprise win in Iowa (where there is no filing deadline) and then the Super Tuesday states.
5. Gore will cut a deal with Obama or Edwards in late November after one of those guys realizes they can't win and then he becomes the default anti-Clinton.

I think this is highly, highly unlikely, but you can always hope against hope against hope against hope.

As of a few days ago, I had decided to hang it up. I'm with you, Ian. I'm 90-some percent sure that he won't get in now. But . . . you just never know. All our information has it that he's not inclined to run. This comes from people close to him. But he also has said that he would accept the nomination. So what' gives? He apparently wants to be president. I always go back to what he said in Denver during the book tour last spring: "Don't get me wrong . . . I would LOVE to be president."

So will he decide, finally, that the best way to combat global warming is for him to be president? Clearly none of the other candidates are going to give this anything more than lip service. But he may honestly believe that he can affect greater change as a private citizen than as a politician. I disagree, but he may well see it differently.

It's important to remember that just because the filing deadline for NH has passed doesn't mean that there's no hope of anything. If he were to get in late, he could still do very well as a write-in candidate in states where he missed the deadline. As long as he was an announced candidate at the time of the primary, people would write him in where possible. So all is not lost.

I'm still sitting here with my half-full glass on the table. I don't know at what point I'll consider it half-empty.

This is what I posted on two DailyKos diaries that expressed frustration with Gore's silence:

I find it hard to believe that someone like Gore is completely blowing us off. He is very cunning. He may be cooling his heels waiting for the right moment to "enter" the race, perhaps in a non-traditional way. Why do I think this? Because he hasn't clearly said no like he did in 2002. As far as I'm concerned, Gore could be in the race as late as the March primaries. New Hampshire is not do or die. Think outside the box, folks. And never abandon the dream if there is still a chance. The door is still cracked open, and I'll keep trying to break in until Gore officially closes and locks it.

I believe he will run, but "when" is the main consideration.

Some questions that Gore might be asking himself....

If you want to spare your family from the agony of going through a long campaign as you did in 2000, but you still want to be President what do you do?

Are people going to get behind you on the Climate Crises or other initiatives you have if you don't run? And will you run out of time if you don't fix it in this election cycle?

Should you make an announcement now when we are on the verge of a White House Neocon strike in the coming months on Iran? What would be the ramifications if you entered now before that happens?

I would love for him to enter for the MArch primaries. The question, not to beat a dead horse, is what the deadlines are for those primaries. He could have an army of supporters and more money than Bill Gates, but he still has to have his name on the ballot.

We can't know unless we knew the reasons

At the end of the day, are the awards, the millions, the tv station enough to satisfy him at 230am in bed?

For years I have used a line that at the end of the day, Al Gore sleeps at night, knowing he did all he could in 2000 and since to better the world

I am not sure Al Gore sleeps good at night anymore

Back and forth, the one thing I do not comprehend is the following-
If he ran and lost, he does not lose
He still has the same authority he did before
If he ran as a message candidate and it contributed to the debate, the world gains

Does anyone actually think it will be handed to him?

Far as I can feel it, the only way for it to be handed to him, is in Summer 2008, he takes the VP from whoever, and 90 days after gets elected
Then for whatever reason, he becomes President sometime in the next 4 years...
and never ran for it

Whether through impeachment, whether the person just quits to let him have it,
whether there is a bad event to make it happen

But you guys say that can't happen

I don't understand what is so awful about it...
(He could put everything in a blind trust like Cheney did)

That is the only way to get into office without running

Or maybe the next president will name him to the Supreme Court

All I know is, at the end of the day, if he is OK with Hillary, he is doing a good job at allowing her to win
Because Obama can't get the traction with the spector of Gore in the background

4100 delegates or so, and it takes something like 2100 or so (number just an estimate)
Nobody came in late and picked up the nomination. They gave good tries (Jerry Brown, Gary Hart, etc...but they could not steal the nomination).
And Gore would not want to steal it.

I go with their being a major threat to his or his family safety
Only thing that makes sense
Or a deal has been made,but for what? And is it a sell-out or something we can all live with?

The thing most frustrating
He has sort of gone mute on the important constitutional issues in front of us
and the corruption

All he talks about is the Climate

If he doesn't run, we need more fiery speeches, however do those speeches hurt his ability to work for change in climate?

If so, is that a payoff to keep quiet

"Hope is for the long haul. Always"

quote I picked up from a DKoser....I thought it quite apt. It was posted along with an old 15th century Irish Celtic song and a legend that is behind it-it was sung 500 years later when the IRA kicked out the "empire": "Wind that Shakes the Barley." maybe we need some inspiration

Wind that Shakes the Barley Marching Song


thnx Ian

Not true - he doesn't even mention the climate in the three videos he put on Current.

Believe it or not, people who support Al Gore LIKE IT when he talks about Climate Change.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/200.../2003988239.jpg

This was taken yesterday while he talked via satellite to mayors meeting in Seattle.

While we are upset, frustrated and wondering what he is up to...look how happy he is.

I am confused to like many but looking at this pic today makes me think one of two things he is happy doing what he is doing now and feels no reason to address us now, or two he has a plan...

Unfortunately I am leaning towards #1 since have seen no signs of the other. Glad he is happy but feel sad for our country.

Why hasn't he come out to support Kucinich's impeachment bill?

It needs quality people to support and oust the crooks
They need to be impeached and now before they do more damage
Just letting them retire is what Bill Clinton did and look what that bought?
W getting in 8 years later

If you don't want Jeb in 8 years, you gotta repudiate now.
They have committed war crimes and crimes against the constitution
It cant wait til 09, they are not going to go peacefully

If one wants him to be a candidate, he can't be a Johnny one note

Because maybe it might seem improper for him (if he were running for the presidency) to suggest the impeachment of the current president or to be seen trying to influence the house to do so? And if he's not running then it would only be his personal opinion as citizen Gore......and boy would his detractors have a field day with that.

It's the business of the Congress to impeach not his....they are the ones who should be taken to the mat on this.

I'm not even going near that Johnny one note .....what a ridiculous thing to say G.

Have you forgotten the brilliant fiery speeches Gore made?

The thing troubling to me is, once Gore started winning awards, he stopped with the fiery speeches for the most part and changed a bit

That "not being political" could also be "not running" in the effort to garner bi-partisian support for the climate

So that would also indicate 3rd party or not running. As to be "bipartisan"

You can't all have it both ways

And why shouldn't LEADERS suggest what to do? After all that is only what LEADERS do, they lead, not stay mute.

If we are reading tealeafs, this one fact is the most depressing of all the facts.
And impeaching is not one party- it is America, all the people.

We must get passed the Dem/Repub. thingydingy that has ruined this country.
Bush is just as bad for Republicans as Democrats. He is bad for all people on the face of the earth

I am a natural born cheerleader--never give up the ship. I have had a year of unparalled events, none of which made sense at the time. It was only later that I could see why the chain of events had occured and the necessity for them to happen in order to come to a better place in the end. This is how I am looking at this election process. While some things may appear inevitable---it is just an illusion. Nothing is set in stone. So, our undying support for Gore has not gone unnoticed. We need to keep Gore in the spotlight as much as we can. It IS making a difference!

Well,

I don't consider that he's stopped anything.

Of course I remember his speeches, who could not remember them, save those who don't wish to remember. But interspersed between his speeches - which I think were intended to inspire us as well as accuse - he's had other work going on for global climate change and his important book Assault on Reason. One has to do more than make speeches, one has to act. And he has acted toward that endeavor of climate change. He can not involve himself in what are the "affairs of Congress," he can only point the way. In addition he recently gave those brief comments as to domestic policy issues like healthcare, and to the war in Iraq, and as well spoke to congressional accountability on the Current TV spots.

What else would we have him do save running for the Presidency? (a decision I'd heartily endorse). Anything we say about Gore is speculation at this point, although, some see signs of his running or not running dependent on their individual perspective. I just think that if one supports Gore for the Presidency or in whatever venue he chooses to act, that it is foolish to bring recriminations upon him and that it might be something one may regret when one learns all the facts.

You are right about impeachment in one sense. It is about the American people too, and we do need more people power to accomplish this...I have stated many times that the founders gave to the PEOPLE the remedy of impeachment, but we all know that the provisions of our Constitution places the burden of its enactment upon the people's House in the Congress. They must act on any threats to the Constitution, its people or the nation.

How could I argue that Gore still might be persuaded to run? Because it's November 4th and William Tecumseh Sherman still hasn't crossed the road.

Question-

If Al never gives a Sherman statement and it gets to be March 2008 (and the democratic nominee has been picked)...

will people still fight (like me) to have him run an independent run or run for the VP for the nominee?

Because quite possibly that Sherman will never come (if the weeks keep going by and its 2008 and the primaries start, a Sherman is not needed)

but we have to here and the other Gore places keep the backup plan to insist he run 3rd party or for VP IF he don't go for it...

Winning NH as write-in is great, HOWEVER, within 3 weeks, so many other states will have had their primary that it could be out of reach delegate wise by the first week in February.

HOWEVER-if one wins by write-in in New Hampshire, that sure allows thoughts of what else can be done for Gore to get to the White House

Time is for the doubters of 3rd party to stop trying to sabatoge that and think strongly what THEIR priorities are-
Is it Al Gore and his message, or is the democratic party more important.

because I do wonder if Sherman will ever come

(Though the Sherman I wish would come would be the one with Mr.Peabody, and we could all take the way-back machine to 12-12-2000 and have the Supreme Court award the election to Al Gore, at which time now, we would be ending the 2 terms of the greatest presidency of all-time, and Hey, we could play some Sherman record's while doing so!!!)BOBBY SHERMAN THAT IS) :laugh:
(Al Al Al Al Al Al do you love me, Al Al Al Al Al Al do you care(to the tune of Julie do you love me).

So in other words we all have to agree with you or we are not true Gore supporters. Sounds just when the right said we all had to support the invasion of Iraq or we weren't loyal Americans. And you have the nerve to accuse others of Bush tactics.

And exactly how are you going to fight for Gore to run as an independent or as VP other than making pronouncements from behind your computer? As much as you try to belittle the efforts of those launching write-in campaigns or trying to get Gore on the ballot in some states, at least they are doing something constructive. You seem more concerned in being proven right than offering up anything that can really help.

Several days ago I said that we've both had our say on these issues and that it was now time to move on. I haven't commented in that time. But Clay has continued to infect every thread possible in the pathetic attempt to be proven right, as if sheer repetition would do that.

And if you really are a GOP troll sent here to disrupt and divide us as many suspect, you've certainly done a good job of it.

The reality is that Gore may not feel the need to give the Sherman statement this time around. In the 2004 cycle, it was necessary because everyone expected he'd run (and even he was 90% sure that he would, until the other 10% won out). I'm guessing that this time around it's more like 90% that he won't (and never thought he would) and 10% that he might. Therefore, in his mind, since he's been saying all along that he doesn't intend to run, there's no need to come out and say that he's not going to run.

Also, in talking to Dylan Malone the other day, I asked him if he didn't think it was strange that Gore hadn't told him to tell us to take down the draft movement like he did in the 2004 cycle. Dylan admitted that, while yes, he was surprised that he hasn't done that, he could see that Al wouldn't feel the same obligation to do that this time around since, as with the Sherman statement, he never really indicated that he would run in this cycle, and the expectations haven't been the same.

So, we may not get the Sherman statement, and we may not get anything from Al telling us to stop. Instead, what we get every time we approach his people is this: The Vice President appreciates what you're doing, but he has no intentions of running.

My problem with that is that everyone knows that "I have no plans" and "I have no intentions" are political-speak for "I might or I might not." Those who absolutely know that they will not run simply say, "I will not be a candidate in ________" or "I definitely will not be running in ______." And he not only uses the double-speak, he follows it with, "I haven't ruled it out." That puts us in a very difficult position. As long as the door remains open, most of us feel the fight is worth fighting.

It's true that even if Gore were to be able to put in a good showing on a write-in in New Hampshire that there are all the other states that follow. And obviously, if he's not in the race by that time, he not only won't do well in New Hampshire, he won't do well anywhere. People don't want to waste their vote on someone who's not running. So Gore does need to get in the race at some point if he has any hope of getting the nomination. One can only wonder what's going on in his head.

In the meantime, the effort to get him on the ballot in as many states as we can is worthwhile. Getting delegates to the convention is useful. The chances are incredibly slim, but it is possible that no candidate will get in on the first ballot. And after that, anything can happen. Including nominating Al Gore.

Ok here goes mine (Anti-Defeatist comment): The early states are so busy moving up the schedule that they have made themselves irrelevent. The big states should be the ones that matter. And Gore will be on the CA and NY ballot.

Instead of boring 'momentum' on super tuesday, we will be reminded of how few votes the leapfrogging early states actually have.

(I posted before I saw EM's so I want to edit in some comments... I do agree that people don't want to vote for someone who is not "campaigning", but feel that sentiment is amplified in IA/NH/SC who expect it. Also I think Gore's behaviour is simply consistant with "No Action". To me the huge question is what would Al Gore do if he were to be placed on a big state ballot?)

Very well said EM. I don't feel that Gore owes us anything. He is never came to us asking for our support. We are coming to him asking him to serve which he is under no obligation to do. As far as him saying I have no intention of running, I can't blame him or anyone of keeping their options open for the future.

I just heard Chris Dodd say that we sould have a year around Earth Day. The reason that he is in ther race is for name recoginition. Our ticket wil be Gore/Dodd.
Chris Dodd has always been a friend of Gore, and supports Gore. Dodd is well informed
and he would be a help bcause his voting record is close to Gore's.

I sort of like Dodd. I think he did pretty well in the last debate...when he had a chance to speak.

James,

Just a word in defense of ReelectGore2008, and you don't necessarily have to take my word on this, but I thought I should say it anyway. Even though I seem a new member here, I'm not. I was part of the old Gore Forum when he ran in 2000.

Anyway as to the above, I've known REG08 for several years now as a member on the old Kerry forum, and in the reincarnation of it, so I can say with reasonable certainty, that while he is a pain in the ass at times (and as a friend I regularly tell him so :lol: ), he is not a RW shill or troll.

What he has is a political theory that's all his own and he's pretty passionate about it. Sometimes or maybe even most times he can be aggravatingly stubborn about his views. But heck who isn't convinced that their own political theory is the correct one?

So, there it is I hope that I have assuaged your fears with regard to REG08 being a troll. If not then I at least spoke to that assumption.

thnx
Michele

Good post, valadon. I don't think ReElect is a troll either. And I have to respect the passion and conviction he has about his politcal theories.

Michele,

Let me just say that I've know him since he was posting as Clay on the old DraftGore message board. And he did his best to disrupt things on that board too.

I'm not the only or first person here that suspects this and when he posts right wing slurs on Gore like he did this morning it isn't hard to believe that it is true.

But you're a proven liar so for all we know you could be a GOP troll too.

Proven liar? Boy, you are really full of it. Looks like you are proving to be the one who is DELUSIONAL!! Should we call you Judge James??

Watch the name calling and insults, please. We all have different opinions, but insulting each other isn't accomplishing anything. :Y:

I get "AlGoreIsMyLife" and "AlGoreFan" and "ReElectGore" confused. If you could summarize the basic differences between your personalities in several sentences, I would appreciate it and will avoid insulting any of you.

I am sorry Wayne. I shouldn't have stooped to the name-calling myself but he wouldn't let up. I don't appreciate being called a liar and a coward just because I have a different opinion. Next time, I will just report it.

You're right, it isn't accomplishing anything and I want to focus on getting Al to run. :Y:

I'm not Wayne........... :)

Oops, sorry AGIML. Isn't Wayne a moderator too? I guess I was thinking it was him who posted that, even though I recognized your avatar plain as day.

My bad!! :)

You accused me of saying something I never said. When I called you on it and gave you room to apologize you refused. That's sound like a liar to me.

Thanks for responding James.

I sure didn't mean to get everyone worked up here against each other. I was simply trying to add what I knew. I'm here to support Al like most people, and I can truly only answer for my own behavior on the board.

You have nothing to feel bad about. You tried to do a good thing.

I dont give Dems a pass for not doing what we elected them to do in 2006

Namely change something

Now they are going to give Bush an AG who does not say waterboarding is torture
Much like they gave him the Patriot Act and everything else

Much like they gave him Iraq, they will give him Iran

Much like they should have but did not do impeachment

When people have the power to do something, but don't I wonder why
If Martin Luther King Jr. gave up, we never would have gotten the #1 single most important event in the history of the USA, that being the Civil Rights bill signed by LBJ (and if we don't question, we then don't remember Bobby wiretapped illegally Martin Luther King Jr)...

When someone has the ability to change things, but doesn't, we wonder why

And not liking a Barry Goldwater loving college girl named Hillary Rodham, does not make one an operative. Just means one does not love HIllary Rodham and her cheating husband Bill.
You did not see Jimmy Carter running around with interns, and he was 100times the president and man, that Bill Clinton is.
Give me another JImmy Carter, who goes against the grain, against AIPAC (and I am Jewish and I do not like AIPAC or their power), who tells the truth about the Middle East.

Give me an honest person like Jimmy Carter.
That is not Hillary. That would be Gore. But if he doesn't run, that doesn't mean I vote for Hillary or a paid stooge like Joe Lieberman, or any other.

Give me someone who fights for the common man.

People didn't like Tom Joad either. I choose to fight like he does.
And people don't like that I speak not in Dem/REpub, but in right/wrong.

I do not like the Clintons. I especially do not like Terry McAuliffe(who is a paid staff member working for Hillary and will be in her upper circle).

Most people here do not even think Hillary will win. I for one think she will win 40 states if Gore does not enter.
Why aren't people who say Hillary won't win being called a repub op? At least a dozen people here have said that.
Face it, it will be President Hillary if Al Gore doesn't get in the race.
Thanks, but no thanks. I will not vote for her unless Gore or Obama is her vice president. Not that my vote matters if she runs, because she will win.
(Of course James and others did not even think she was a candiate til the day she announced. Because they kept telling me so on this board).

Civil rights is my #1 issue. Someone above said to me and someone else, don't we like blacks or women?
I voted twice for Jesse Jackson for President (And am proud of it and certainly don't hide that fact.) Implying I don't like blacks is just about the stupidest thing one can do.
And I guess, shoot me because the idea of a Barack Obama in office is a great thought, IF Al Gore don't run, and if Al is Barack's VP, that too is a great thought.
So I guess, hang me as a traitor.
But then, I think LBJ signing the civil rights acts/voting right acts is the #1 great achievement of the last 50 years. (again, it was LBJ who did it, not anyone else).
Jesse Jackson got screwed by the Democratic party...he earned the right to being on the ticket, but the party ran from him.
That same party screwed Al Gore good in 2004. They screwed him during the recount of 2000.

So if I don't vote blindly for Democrats, then it is only that I don't consider the person this time a democrat in the sense, but a democrat in name only.
Like a trojan horse.

Give me Al Gore or don't bother. I will not vote for Hillary unless Gore or Obama is on their ticket. None of the other candidates can win this, things being what they are.

So sue me for demanding Al Gore run, and not being worried about his vanity.

I for one am insulted by a fellow posters signature mocking the Muslim phrasing of Allah/God. But you don't hear me saying that poster is making a mockery of billions of people worldwide (until now).

The Monsters are due on Maple Street. That is what it is.
(An old twilight zone reference...If you don't know what it is, google Twilight Zone and Maple Street and look it up).
It's the old mob mentality.

America, we can do better. If better means a 3rd party run winning the white house so be it.
(And as shown, if a 3rd party runs, and no candidate gets 270, then the house will vote, the 2008-2010 house, and things being what they are, then the democrat will be the winner anyhow, as the Dems control the house, and will do so even more decidedly after the 2008 election, so that just prooves a good Dem/Demlike third party run will NOT help the republicans, but help all of America.

Some people want a united America, not a divided one, so that we can again talk to our neighbors across the street at some point.
That won't happen with Hillary. All she will do is change who is smiling and who is mad to the other side (which keeps everything else, all the corruption, the same in the background).
Its correct/wrong not Right/left, not Dem/repub. We can do better, and if Al Gore don't run, we have a right to wonder WHY he blew the greatest(and perhaps last) opportunity.
Alot of people(for example noted writer Naomi Wolf) are thinking that we are back in Nazi Germany, and that the window of opportunity is narrowing to either change things, or get out, like when my ancestors knew they had to either go that tomorrow would be too late, or never be allowed to...time is going quickly...Yelling and slurring me doesn't change that fact.

Question authority is my motto. Was in the 1960s, continues to this day. I don't like authority or being lied to. And I don't idolize candidates/leaders anymore.
I expect more of them. And I don't vote blindly either.

Maybe the man just enjoys his life as it is.. as he has rebuilt it away from the moral landfill of Washington poiltics. Or maybe he knows something else that only he can justify, that will keep him from running.
I have to admit, this is all starting to look more and more like 2003 on the DraftGore message board, but I would still urge everyone to take heart. Do what you can with the draft movement and be vigilant with hope and honor. Unless he endorses a candidate KEEP YOUR FAITH, and keep it with the good intentions of our rightful president, Al Gore. I still hope he will do the right thing and ENTER THE RACE, but in the end the decision is his, and his alone to make. Peace!

:clap: :lol: :clap: