On the Today show this morning, and in an interview with Rolling Stone published this week, Gore has once again declared that he has no plans to run for the presidency of the United States. He believes that he can accomplish more as a private citizen and that he can not run a campaign in the current political culture that does not compromise his ideals. Yet, at the same time, he believes that we are on the brink of a historic paradigm shift with respect to our environmental awareness that will have major ramifications for human civilization. Gore remains open to the possibility that, when this shift happens, he could be called on to serve in elected office once again.

It is hard to ascertain when this sea change might occur. Next month? Next summer? 2010? 2012? 2016? Gore believes the change will involve a change in public consciousness about the seriousness of the climate crisis that will be accompanied by a concomitant shift in thinking about such issues as international peace, nuclear disarmament, poverty and health care. A sign of that change will be increased grass-roots activism and the use of the internet rather than television as a medium for political expression.

So, it does not appear that Gore can be persuaded to run just yet. But we should remember that, at this same time fifty-five years ago, a group of citizens intent on drafting Dwight Eisenhower to enter the presidential race encountered the same unwillingness from their prospective nominee. In the years of 1951 and 1952, the American "Winter of Discontent," Americans frustrated by the stalemated Korean War were looking for new leadership. Draft Eisenhower movements sprung up in both the Democratic and Republican parties, but Eisenhower refused to even commit to a political party because of his role as a general of the military.

In December of 1951, Harry Truman wrote to Eisenhower and said, "I wish you would let me know what you intend to do." Eisenhower responded: "I do not feel that I have any duty to seek a political nomination." The Republicans next tired to persuade him to run and created an organization called the "National Citizens for Eisenhower". At the time, Robert Taft was the front-runner for the nomination, but Republicans began to prefer Eisenhower's less isolationist views. Still, Eisenhower repeatedly stated that he would not seek the nomination. But, in January of 1952, months after other candidates had begun campaigning and just weeks before the start of the primaries, Eisenhower said he would consider serving if he was nominated. On January 6, 1952, Eisenhower's entered Eisenhower's name into the New Hampshire primary ballot without Eisenhower's permission. After they did that, Eisenhower stated that if he was offered the Republican nomination for the presidency, he would accept it. But he did not actively campaign for the nomination.

A Draft Eisenhower rally in Madison Square Garden on February 8th garnered 25,000 supporters. was scheduled to be held in Madison Square Garden on that day. The event planners expected no more than 16,000 supporters (and such was the capacity), yet over 25,000 showed up, and the New York police and fire marshalls could get very few people to leave. When Eisenhower won the New Hampshire primaries, on March 11th, 1952, he said "any American who would have that many other Americans pay him that compliment would be proud or he would not be an American." The next day Eisenhower entered the presidential contest, went on to win his party's nomination and governed the country for eight years.

Could something similar happen in this day and age? Why not? Is there not still hope, still idealism, in America? Do we not still want greatness from our leaders?

For Gore supporters, it is not time to give up. It is time to get busy. I say hold a rally in downtown Nashville on Thanksgiving weekend. Let's show Al that we won't take NO for an answer. I'll drive up from Atlanta. I've got nothing else to do that weekend. I can take out a few days of my life to try to save my country and the world from destruction.

What other point is there to the DraftGore movement if it is not to persuade a reluctant candidate to run? What does the movement mean if it is not a movement of the people? If we can get Gore on the ballot in some key early states, he may yet see that the time for change has indeed come.

I'll make the 12 hour drive and be there if it is held.

Ian, thank you for that inspiring and motivational post. It was encouraging reading the history about Eisenhower's draft. It led me to ask the question, what else can we do to cause the sea change? A rally in Nashville sounds like a fantastic idea and on Thanksgiving weekend, no less. I know I'd be thankful to have Gore as my President. And I believe there are so many other there that are ready for a change in our government. I was reading a poll earlier that said a majority of Americans want to see America move in a different direction.

It is interesting that Gore continues with a "no plans to run" phrase, yet he's still not ruled it out at some point in the future. Notice he never says after 2008. He is never specific about this, so there is still room to hope, so we need to keep up with more of what we're doing. I wonder if my husband would be up for a trip to Nashville come Thanksgiving?? :rolleyes:

I wonder if the DraftGore.com folks would be on board for something like this as well as the DailyKos people. They seem to be big Gore supporters. DOn't forget DemocracyForAmerica. If it's well-organized and enough people come out, it would be really cool.

I'm only five hours away!

Thanks Ian for that post :good:

The Draft Gore movement is already the largest presidential draft movement since 1952. I think getting a rally with thousands of people together would be fantastic. Nashville sounds like a natural place to hold a rally (by his office not his residence of course), but we might get a larger turnout in someplace like Madison Square Garden in NYC with it's greater population. Maybe it could be in both cities..

It's a capitol idea :clap:

I would make the 15 hour drive from New York(I don't fly much).

And it would give me a chance to eat again at the pancake pantry and go to the Ryman Auditorium once again.
It's only about a 3 minute drive from Al's office to there.
And anyone who's anyone goes to eat there Saturday and Sunday morning for the best breakfast in the world, bar none.(No I don't get a profit, just fatter).

Matter of fact, we can all hold a meet/greet at the Pancake Pantry, fill the place up with Gore fans. First 50 people from here are on me if I am there.(only friends need apply). :tongue:

Another thought: Maybe DraftGore could hold simultaneous rallies in different regions of the country. There could be one in Madison Square Garden -- deliberately evoking Eisenhower -- led by the NY DraftGore folks and advertised in the New York Times. Then one in San Francisco, one in Des Moines, Iowa, and one in Nashville. Everyone who signed the petition should be emailed and encouraged to attend and get the word out in one last effort to get Gore into the race...

Being from NYC-
you can't just quickly get Madison Square garden and it costs a fortune to rent it out

Especially Thanksgiving weekend, being that the Parade is in that area, and it is the #1 shopping weekend in NYC and Macy's is across the street)

With the hockey and basketball, and concerts already booked, not to mention some other productions, a last minute booking inside the fabled Garden is probably not possible.

And Cablevision owns the whole shebang, and probably would not be overly in favor of this either.

:clap: :clap: :laugh: Now THERE'S some enthusiasm!!

If Y'all are a comin' he-ar, I'll be a contact person for giving local area information as much as possible within the confines of my work and school responsibilities.I have some relatives scheduled to come in from out of town, but they're supposed to be leaving on Saturday.

Possible task #1. Someone research rules/restrictions on holding such a gathering in Centennial Park which is several blocks down from Gore HQ and also in the direction of his residence.

Ready, set, GO! :good:

We've discussed this some before and I still think it's a great idea - let's do it!!
I also like the idea of simultaneous events in multiple cities, NYC and N'ville are musts, but the more the merrier!! We've got just over 2 weeks to make it happen - but I hear that news travels fast on the internet!

:good:

Thanks, IanOC for a great post!

I say N.Y.C., Nashville, San Francisco, and Seattle. These would have to be outdoor events - Central Park in NYC, Golden Gate Park in S.F., etc. - much less to organize, less expensive, etc. There would have to be an assured big turnout, because if it isn't, that would be worse than not doing it at all. Not that I know anything about how these things get organized. But I do think it would be a good idea to contact America For Gore, GoreHub, Netroots, Monica at DraftGore, (plus other progressive groups like DKos, DFA), etc., and ask for input on feasability, commitment, etc..

Dinah

P.S. Thanksgiving is no good. In fact Txgiving is the worst choice for a day. People are busy with the holiday, traveling is a nightmare, there's football, and in NYC, they have that gi-normous Macy's Txgiving Day Parade. Fugeddaboutit!

Oh, sorry, REAG2008, I basically repeated a lot of what you said about Thanksgiving.

:unsure:

This is actually something we'd considered before. I'll run it by the America for Gore Steering Committee and see what they say.

DraftGore.com has a mailing list of tens of thousands of people. AlGore.org does, too. Then there's DFA, DU, DailyKos, etc.

The only thing is, I think a lot of people might rebel against the Thanksgiving weekend date. Lots of people flying around all over the country to be with family. Could cause problems. Thanksgiving's early this year. Could it maybe be the weekend after that?

YES!!! (Have to go to someone's birthday dinner on Sat. night) :good:

I'm just beginning to figure out how to navigate the Current web site. I don't remember exactly what I did, maybe click topics, then politics, then Al gore in search, but there are a gazillion Al Gore threads there. :coolwink: