Why Al Gore is keeping his 2008 options open

[Karenca]

http://www.rawstory.com//news/2007/Why_Al_Gore_keeping_his_2008_0214.html

By Michael Roston
Published: Wednesday February 14, 2007
Rumors continue to swirl about whether or not former Vice President Al Gore will enter the race for the presidency in 2008. And according to an essay today in the New York Observer, Gore wants to keep the buzz going about whether or not he'll enter the Democrats' crowded fray because delaying a decision helps him if he runs for president.

Steve Kornacki writes today that according to the latest rumors, Gore will consider entering the race for the Democratic nomination in September "if an opening presents itself." The former vice president's spokesperson issued a classic 'non-denial denial,' about Gore's plans, and Kornacki says that there are multiple reasons for Gore to hold off on entering the race.

First, he can bank on his name reputation getting stronger in the intervening months as he continues to promote his message on controlling global warming. Meanwhile, Kornacki writes, he can "steer clear of any early skirmishes between Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards, instead allowing the three front-runners to drive each other’s negatives up."

The moment Gore is looking for, he adds, is one in which the race becomes about Senator Hillary Clinton. The likely scenario for Gore to become a candidate is one in which he is "convinced that he could quickly and bloodlessly push aside, setting up a Hillary-versus-Al contest for the nomination."

But there are also reasons Gore might not choose to enter the race. If Obama or Edwards make gains against Clinton, Kornacki writes that he may not want to further crowd the fray. He also must fear "the risk of being branded, for all of history, as a two-time loser." But, Kornacki concludes, Gore has wanted to be president most of his life, and so he wonders "Can he resist?"

The full article can be read at the New York Observer website: http://www.observer.com/20070219/20070219_Steve_Kornacki_opinions_wiseguys.asp2007/Why_Al_Gore_keeping_his_2008_0214.html

[JNelson6563]

1. I'm on pins and needles

The article is right in that President Gore can, should and probably will wait until maybe September to make his final call on 08. I don't know about anyone else but I have no problem "keeping my powder dry" until then.

I think I will be very glad to stay out of the primary fray until then. :popcorn:

Julie

[Apollo11]

2. Of course he will consider it

but only if he sees that millions of people think he would be the best candidate.

There's not much point in entering the race and then coming 5th in the Iowa caucuses ...


Let's all find ways to show our support for Al Gore! :)

Read Rolling Stone magazine: WHY GORE SHOULD RUN -- AND HOW HE CAN WIN
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/13248532/why_gore_should_run__and_how_he_can_win

Get ready for Al Gore's next book - The Assault on Reason - out in May!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/16/AR2006091600877.html

Visit the following websites:
www.algore.com
www.algore.org
www.draftgore.com - Sign the petition! :)

:kick:

[ThingsGottaChange]

3. He HAS to run now

I just ordered these from CafePress!

[Nedsdag]

4. Al versus Hillary?

I'd pay first class seats for that bout.

Seeing Hillary go after Al for "running away" from Bill in 2000 and Al calling Hillary "two-faced" on the war would be great.

Plus, it helps that Tipper hates Hillary so it should be very, very interesting.

[JaneQPublic]

5. Tipper hates Hillary?

`Never heard that before. Where'd you get that info?

[Bucky]

15. I too am curious where someone might "drudge" up such reliable insider info

You know, they're women with ambitious husbands. At any given moment they're just inches away from a full on cat fight... hopefully while standing next to a swimming pool or jello pit.

Oh wait, maybe I'm thinking of Dynasty. Nevermind.

[Vincardog]

6. AL is right to let Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards

beat on each other. When it looks like we will have to take the Hill pill, let Al step in to save us Democrats from the 'Inevitable" Hillary candidacy.

The question is will we allow the RW prestitutes and Rupert Murdock choose our candidate? I say no. Give is Gore in 2008.

[Jagger69]

7. I hope he doesn't run

No offense to Al, but it's time to move on. The field is indeed crowded enough already so a Gore entry next fall would just exacerbate the fragmentation of the Democratic party. JMO of course....:D

[NYCGirl]

8. We're not fragmented, it's the GOP that's fragmented. NT

[Jagger69]

11. No offense, NYCGirl

But that is a self-righteous and myopic statement. How many candidates are in the race so far? All of them must have some base of support. Check out the list:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_and_potential_2008_United_States_presidential_election_Democratic_candidates

[NYCGirl]

14. At least WE know that the war is mishandled and wrong. The GOP can't agree

on that.

And who are the Repubs all united behind?

[Jagger69]

16. Don't misunderstand me

The repugs are united behind no one. Their leadership gap is horrific. They have no sense of direction whatsoever and it is exemplified by the rumbling, bumbling, stumbling methodology of the current administration. My point is that the Democrats are disjointed as well and to assume that Al Gore can simply waltz in anytime he wants and that Hillary, Obama and Edwards will simply fade away is inaccurate.

[sellitman]

9. I think it would unite the party....not fragment it.

He is head and shoulders above all the other candidates in my book at least. I bet I'm not alone.

[Jagger69]

10. I agree

You aren't alone. And I'm willing to bet that neither am I. Hence, my fragmentation comment.

[elocs]

12. I think there is a lot of soft support for the candidates now running

that will melt away if Gore announces.

[Bjorn Against]

13. He will NOT be a two-time loser

I don't like this quote from the article at all. "He also must fear "the risk of being branded, for all of history, as a two-time loser.""

Let us be clear Gore WON in 2000, if he lost this time he would be a one-time loser not a two-time loser.