Could Gore Finance His Own Bid?

[jakem]

Washington Whispers: "If you're wondering why, despite his denials, Al Gore remains the most talked about nonpresidential candidate, it's this: His friends think he's done so well in the private world that he could bankroll the start of his own 2008 bid."

Said former campaign manager Donna Brazile: "If Al Gore wants to run, he will come with all the means necessary. Al Gore is someone who can pull it off at half time."


http://politicalwire.com/archives/2007/02/25/could_gore_finance_his_own_bid.html

[AndyTiedye]

1. I ALWAYS OPPOSE THE DRAFT, BUT FOR GORE I WILL MAKE AN EXCEPTION!

DRAFT GORE
for President 2008

[Top08Gear_com]

11. Drafting Gore

The oscar bit with Gore announcing was HILARIOUS! :)
Now, if he'll just ACTUALLY announce!

Draft Gore/Edwards 08
http://top08gear.com/index.php?a=stats&u=goreedwards08

[Island Blue]

2. If Al does decide to run

I hope he first runs as far away from Donna Brazile as his legs will carry him.

[Ignacio Upton]

4. And I hope that he stays away from Lieberman this time

n/t.

[SharonRB]

6. Exactly my feeling

Stay away from him, Donna!

[politicasista]

13. Mine too

She is poison. She didn't do anything for him in TN.

[Ignacio Upton]

3. Well, he has lots of connections in Hollywood

Plus, isn't he on the board for Apple and Google? He must be making millions off of stock from those companies.

[Bluzmann57]

5. Quite frankly, if he finances his own bid

I think he wins big. People are getting tired of candidates always asking for money.

[halobeam]

7. Good point

[TomClash]

10. Funny thing about that

In a way, if he financed his own bid, I'd be more likely to give money to his campaign.

[Peace Patriot]

8. I hope he does something really different and runs a nearly no $$$ campaign.

No millions to the war profiteering corporate news monopolies--those bad actors--for cheap, shitty campaign hairdo ads and hit pieces.

No PR firms.

No consultants.

No focus groups.

No bullshit.

Just announce. Everybody knows who he is. Take whatever free venues there are. If others want to put on concerts, etc., fine. But he spends not one day fundraising.

Pay the fees for filing. Pay for travel and phones, and a couple of aides. Drive electric vehicles. Economize. Minimal paper. No bumper stickers or signs. Some other greener token. Green ribbons maybe (made of recycled paper or hemp cloth!).

A real campaign. Give speeches. He's turned into a magnificent speaker. Let the people speak back. It will spread like a wildfire--the passion for reality, real politics, real discussion, a real president. It will put all the other politicians to shame--or inspire them, depending on who they are.

I've been longing for this for more than twenty years--for someone who could do this. And Al Gore can. He has the name recognition. And it's an idea whose time has come.

[Greeby]

9. The guy can sell-out arenas faster than Elton John

he doesn't need money, at least not in the sums the other candidates are talking about.

[talkinghead]

12. When it comes to public funds, he and every candidate should have to.

Why should we, as taxpayers, be forced to support the candidacy of someone whose platform we oppose? I shouldn't have to fund a Republican's campaign no more than they should have to fund any candidate supported on this board.

[crispini]

16. Do you want only rich people to be able to run?

Public financing is SUPPOSED to be a way of helping us have candidates who are not (as) influenced by corporations and big money donors, and I for one think it's a good idea. I am really disappointed in Hillary saying that she will refuse public financing. What that means is she thinks she can raise big $$$ and will thereby be even more indebted to private donors.

I think our legislators should have to wear logos of the companies that sponsor them, like NASCAR.

[talkinghead]

17. This is basically what happens now.

And I am not arguing that individual candidates should have to finance their campaigns from their own resources; they could still raise money just as they do today. My argument is against welfare for politicians. Why should we have to fund the candidates we are going to vote against?

[AtomicKitten]

14. rumor has it

... his work in the private sector has been quite lucrative and that he could finance a run. That makes jumping in the race later doable for him. Fingers crossed.

[Apollo11]

15. Money would not be a problem

If Gore would decide to enter the race sometime in the fall, I don't think the financial aspects would be a major part of his decision. Certainly not an obstacle that would prevent him running.

He has enough dough to start up a national campaign. And I know there are hundreds of big donors and millions of regular citizens who would be happy to make a contribution.

I think Al Gore is keeping his options open right now, watching how the "pre-season" goes. I don't think he yet knows what he will do in 2008.

There is no hurry for Gore to enter the race for 2008. He is doing a great job raising public awareness about the climate crisis. He will testify at a Congressional Hearing in Washington on March 21st.

Gore is also busy working on his next book "The Assault on Reason" - to be published in May. The theme of this book - why we need better decision-making in government - is very timely (whether he runs or not).

Depending on how things pan out, and the reaction to his book, Gore can consider his situation over the summer and announce his decision (or if you prefer - "change his mind") sometime in the fall.

Don't forget that Bill Clinton did not kick-off his campaign until October 1991. But Al Gore already has nationwide respect and name recognition that other wannabees can only wish for!

And by the way - Gore is younger than Hillary, Clark, McCain and Guiliani (I'm not saying age is the most important factor - but you should be ready to serve for a full 8 years).

Unless and until Gore endorses another candidate, we have to assume that he is keeping his options open. So it is too soon for those of us who prefer Gore to switch our allegiance.


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

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:

[Samantha]

18. He made 50 million off his Google investment alone.

And look at it this way - it appears that a lot of his PR is pre-paid, meaning "free." That publicity last night alone is priceless in the political arena and it didn't cost him anything.

Even if one is not a Gore fan, he or she must admit he has a lot of smarts.