Part of me thinks that this is the end for Gore 2008 since we found out that his office asked his supporters to stop ballot efforts. But I assume that he hasn't asked the DraftGore movement itself to cease, or else that web site would have put a notice up saying that it's over.

DraftGore.com has this statement on its site:

We commend the decision of Draft Gore California to honor the wishes of Al Gore and halt its extraordinary effort to qualify Al Gore for the state primary ballot.

The decision, however, has no immediate impact on Draft Gore's activities. Our goal has been very different all along: to influence Al Gore's decision to become a candidate for President in 2008. The request from Vice President Gore's office specifically mentioned ballot efforts and write-ins, not general efforts to draft Gore.

As long as there's still time for the former vice president to enter the race and he does not give us any indication that our efforts are not welcomed, we will continue our activities.

Does this mean that the overall draft movement is still a go until further notice?

Why wouldn't it be?

A draft can be up until late summer 2008, when it will need to be known to qualify for the actual election ballots

It has nothing to do with the democratic party, as far as I know, it is for specifically Al Gore to run for president 2008 anyway possible

And until the nominee is secure by the democrats, it is not too late for a democratic draft either (or a brokered convention) and of course to be in place to have Al be remembered at VP time too

A candidate could also suggest it be stopped, but in America, one can do as they please and it could go on even against the wishes, as the point is to get him in the race

DraftGore.com's approach was always different from ours (AlGore.org). DGC has done exceptional work with media outreach, etc. AlGore.org was always the ground-troops operation, the place where supporters got down in the trenches, rolled up their sleeves, and got dirty. We've tried all kinds of strategies, all aimed at getting more support for Gore and getting him to see the support. Our last big effort was the petition drives to get him on the ballot in states where we could do that. His office has shut that down. For now, we have no more activities to recommend to our people. How many letters can a person write? How many buttons and bumper stickers can he/she distribute? How many signatures urging Gore to run can he/she collect? We've been there and done that, and it hasn't convinced Gore to run, at least by all outside appearances. I believe we'll continue as an organization at least until the convention, though, just in case the need arises for us to mobilize again. But I don't think we'll be actively involved in anything. Of course, it's possible that the various draft organizations will come up with some ideas, and we'll remain open to that. All we have stopped is the ballot efforts. Gore hasn't made a Sherman statement. I don't expect any of the websites to be taken down.

Sing it, sister!!!!

And, one more thing: you don't know that all the legwork and signature collection and letter writing and bumper sticker distribution and other efforts have not worked to convince, or help convince, Gore to run. Take heart, dear Earthmother. We don't know just yet, imho. To quote Jesse Jackson: keep hope alive!

It doesn't look good...but I'm with the majority of pups round 'hea: without the Sherman statement, I'm still clinging tenaciously to my ever-slimmer sliver of hope!