Pres. Gore, if you're reading....time to pass the baton, PLEASE!

[Sperk]

You've made your point, you've set up the infrastructure to have the Climate change issue dealt with. There are many, many gifted and talented people who will carry on the charge you have started. I know you're incredibly smart but you are not the only one who can carry this torch. IF YOU'RE PRESIDENT, YOU CAN CREATE A NEW CABINET POSITION which could target the very issue you want dealt with. Do you think Mitt Romney and or Jeb Bush will help you further your cause??? Think man, think!!!

:loveya:

I hope you are just waiting for the right moment, as some DUers think, but if not....PLEASE RECONSIDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:patriot:
:loveya:

[Colobo]

1. Gore is such a decent man

That is kinda easy to understand why he is probably so cautious about getting back into the campaign trail. You barely lose/get robbed in 2000 after putting the effort of your life. Then the nation re-elects (or elects, should I say?) Bush in 04 even after his disastrous first term (I'm guilty of that, I apologize) thanks in part to one of the dirtiest campaigns against a decent man and war hero like John Kerry...

I mean, nobody can't blame Gore if he decides to stay out of something as dirty as politics, especially after being denied what was yours once already...

[Sperk]

3. no, I wouldn't blame him.....I'd just cry my eyes out, once again...jeez...

even my hubby and kids do make me cry so much. :-(

But I love you anyway, Mr. President.

:loveya:

see sig line..wink, wink.

[peacebird]

7. you say you voted for bush in 04 - (and apologize) but what made you vote for him?

What compelled you to vote for him? I was for Gore in 2000 and voted ABB (antbod but bush) in 04. I was impressed by Dean and several others but after the primaries ended I dutifully voted for Kerry as the candidate... However I knew back before 2000 that bush was evil (his mockery of a woman on death row before her execution struck me as unbelievable).

What was there that caused you to vote for him? I know folks who still say "Thank God bush was in office, not Gore in 2001" - a puzzling sentiment for me. Gore would likely have dealt with 9/11 as a criminal matter, not a war. And he certainly would not have invaded Iraq....

Anyhow - sorry for rambling, and I'm glad you have come around - but out of curiousity - why?

[Colobo]

10. Well, it's a bit complicated

But I'll try to simplify (and summarize) it:
1) Ignorance of what the Republican Party truly represents- I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where the Republican Party is closely related with the pro-statehood movement (which I have always supported). The Bush family has close ties with the New Progressive Party, the party that promotes statehood in the island. For instance, I came here in '01 wanting to become a member of that party, without actually knowing what the party is all about.

2) The "Good American" complex- Right away I looked for Republicans in campus, and as I got introduced into the world of talk radio, Fox News, etc., I bought the "liberals are un-American" talking point (that has been so popular after 9/11). Add to that me, being a black guy from Puerto Rico, trying to prove to everyone I, and for instance my countrymen, could be as patriotic Americans as anyone, I did my best to auto-indoctrinate myself, even though I found the "conservative" ideology repulsive for the most part. So, yes, there was a bit of an inferiority complex in there.

Anyway... those were the seeds that made me a self-hating Republican (I hated it inside) for several years. Of course, one can't live a lie for too long... I'm glad I'm where I should have always been. :)

[peacebird]

20. Thank you for answering. And welcome home! It's good to have you here!

:hi:
Thanks for a thoughtful answer as well.

[Connonym]

2. Why is it that the right recycles their presidential wannabe's and the left doesn't

In the name of recycling, Mr.Gore, we need you back. If McCain can run again, so can you!

[Sperk]

5. Yes! Mr. Gore....BE the renewable resource!!

:loveya:

[w4rma]

4. I disagree. It's time to for him to grab and run with the baton that we want to pass to him. (nt)

[Sperk]

6. How do we do that?

n/t
and which baton are we passing, just to be clear?

[AshevilleGuy]

8. No, he needs to RUN

More and more I am convinced he is the only Dem who could beat Guliani and/or McCain.

[Robson]

9. Gore....Must Be Careful

I espressed an opinion in 2004 that Kerry was overplaying his Vietnam War experience and would end up making himself a political target.

No one wants to hear overplayed wartime bravado except possibly other war comrades. I suggested that Kerry should downplay his VN experience and never mention it again. Everyone knew he was a vet.

We know how it ended with the Swiftboaters successfully corrupting and mudding the Vietnam issue. BTW the cons aren't the only ones that gloat over knocking self-righteousness off a pulpet, as we all know the satisfaction we felt when Ted Haggard and Foley were determined to be a exactly the opposite of what they proclaimed themselves to be.

I'd suggest that Al Gore take a more modest approach to the environment and work on another issue. We all know he's done good, but now he must reduce expectations. Both he and Edwards need to get a grip that average Americans don't have 10K sq ft houses or 29K sq ft. When you as a politician live in one, you need to have a plan to offset the negative press.

While I'd like to see either Gore or Edwards win, they need to understand the hypocritical repercussions of living in huge houses that can neutralize concerns such as environmental and two America's of rich/poor.

[frankly_fedup2]

11. You make it sound like Al Gore and John Edwards are the only

reason there is global warming. According to the right, there is no such thing . . . Environmentalism is a so-called religion of the wacky liberals.

Sean Hannity is wanting people to send in pictures of Gore boarding private planes to put on his web site. How pathetic is that? Are they not suppose to fly because they are environmentalist?

Don't forget, this is a capitalistic country above all else (per the NeoCONS); however, if a Democrat works hard, makes money, and is able to provide any kind of luxury for their family, they are hypocrits.

I hope you are not watching Fox News and believing what they are saying because it's not entirely true . . . and from their less then accurate reporting,I believe they are the hypocrits here.

[Robson]

12. Not Really

If it sounds like that, that is not my intent. I'm saying that we (as people) are all susceptible to resentment. We are all susceptible to jealously. We are all susceptible to a desire to knock self-righteousness off the pulpet...especially when such folks are running for office.

There are political opponents that fully understand and are able to manipulate that, and these opponents have already demonstrated that it can be done...as in making John Kerry, the recipient of medals in combat of lesser stature than a draft dodger.

I'm saying be modest and be careful and do not give the slightest opportunity to Repugs. BTW John Edwards building a 29K sq ft house in the middle of a presidential race where his major message is two Americas is not very smart and I like the guy and the message.

[frankly_fedup2]

19. I find that with the Evangelicals. I get so tired of them telling everyone what

they should and shouldn't do. I think they are a better example of "self-righteousness" then any politician. I live in Virginia, Falwellville, and you would not believe some of the things that have come out of that man's mouth behind the pulpit. He preaches politics more then he does the Bible. Well, he use to anyway. His show is no longer live so I think his son, who will be taking over for his father, got smart and decided to edit his calling Hillary Clinton "Hitlary" and the "National Organization of Women" the "National organization of Witches." One of the worst things I have ever heard him say was that if he ever passed a Liberal Democrat (we are the baby killers, adulterers, sodomites, and other things he has said I just cannot remember now), and if they were dying of thirst, he would not give them one teaspoon of water . . . not one. Then he really accentuates his point by beating on the pulpit and saying, "NOT ON DROP." Even the nuts in his church (nuts because they were in "his" church, not because they were Evangelicals) were mumbling among themselves.

He would get up and claim he was not afraid of the IRS. Well, his son must be because the man is definitely edited.

This Sunday I bet he has a hissy fit about James Cameron's claims. I think I'll record him so I can quote him verbatim.

[frankly_fedup2]

21. 29,000 square feet? You've got to be kidding me? Who needs that

much room unless you don't ever want to run into anyone else living there. Your right, this is a stupid move during a presidential campaign. They have to practice what they preach and then some.

[calimary]

13. What you said!

What I said, too.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3137910&mesg_id=3137910

I think there are more people than you and I realize who are all swimming along with the same current, alongside us. I heard a poll referred to today that found Gore running third behind a tightening race between Clinton and Obama, and he's not even in it (well, not yet anyway). Edwards came in third. Ed Shultz commented on that - intrigued how a guy who's not in the race yet is besting the guy who's currently winning in Iowa.

If Gore can fare that well without even jumping in, imagine what happens when he does (when, NOT if - using positive thinking here). I think once he does announce, that will just change the whole ballgame. The numbers will all switch, and it'll be no contest anymore.


By the waaaaayyyy...

I was listening to Randi Rhodes this afternoon and heard her say something that others of us here have pointed out. She said that it was common talk among her friends and associates on the show that one caller represents a HUNDRED others of like mind. It's TRUE!!! A single call, email, fax, letter, whatever is always regarded as representing the same or similar feelings of dozens, if not 100, or maybe even MORE than that - who didn't weigh in for whatever reason. It depends on the market size. For CNN or one of the big news shows like "Meet the Press" or something, considering the audience size, you're probably talking thousands or tens of thousands. Maybe more. Nice to hear that verified again, especially by her. I'm such a fan!

[AshevilleGuy]

14. He won't come in unless he is sure he can get

the nomination. No way would he endure the humiliation of losing the nomination to Hilary. Perhaps the power players have not yet decided whom they will push next year - I hope they haven't.

But yes, once he comes in, I believe the race will very quickly devolve to Gore vs Hilary; I do not know what the others could say, as to why they would be better than Gore.

[calimary]

15. I agree. I think he's watching the lay of the political landscape.

And it IS still awfully early. Maybe he's waiting to see who's left standing after they all bloody each other up sufficiently. Of course, Hillary's already taking her lumps in the polls. In a couple of 'em, Obama has now passed her in early voter preference - probably as he gains in name-recognition. It's still anybody's game, but MY game winner would be GORE. I think if he decides to get in, that changes the whole dynamic and creates a new "giant sucking sound" - of money and support AND supporters flooding to him from everyone else's camps.

[Apollo11]

16. Gore is the best person for the job -- period.

I agree that Al Gore is the best qualified person for the Presidency, in terms of his experience, knowledge, intelligence and judgement.

As to the question of whether he will run -- 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.

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. Winning an Oscar means that even more people will hopefully see "An Inconvenient Truth". Gore will testify at a Congressional Hearing 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).

Gore is also leading "Live Earth" with concerts in 7 cities across the globe on 7/7/07 -- all with the aim of raising awareness and pushing for action to address the climate crisis.

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 that 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 Live Earth on 7/7/07: www.liveearth.org

Help Al Gore lobby Congress at www.algore.com

Sign the petition at www.algore.org

Also sign the petition at www.draftgore.com

:kick:

[Justice]

17. I like your phrasing, do you think Romney or Jeb will help further your cause...

It is the correct way to think about it - the worst case scenario is a R wins - and we are delayed another 4 years from working on climate change issues.

[theboss]

18. Don't we already have that cabinet post?

If the Department of Energy or EPA is not in charge, who is?