Will Gore Be Drafted Onto the California Ballot?

[FourScore]

Volunteers Surge as California Draft Gore Ignites Ballot Initiative Effort

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - August 22, 2007) - Upon announcing their intentions of putting Al Gore on the California ballot for the state's primary election, California Draft Gore has seen a surge of Gore volunteers and positive support for the statewide initiative which joins a national effort to place Gore on the ballot.

Since the organizers of California Draft Gore announced a grassroots statewide campaign earlier this month they have added a slew of volunteers and contributions to their efforts. The statewide organization is coordinating hundreds of Gore volunteers who will be participating in the signature gathering process.

"It's been an overwhelming but exhilarating experience to see the enthusiasm for Al. People who normally don't volunteer for stuff are eager to help," said Chris Vallone, Northern California campaign coordinator. "In just the last weekend we have had at least 180 volunteers sign up, but many volunteers are still needed in every district, city, county and region. Everyone who supports Gore has a place in this campaign."

The California Election Code requires that in order for a candidate's name to be placed on the presidential primary ballot, a minimum of 500 signatures of registered Democrats must be obtained from each of the state's 53 congressional districts. California Draft Gore has regional coordinators and sub-regional coordinators managing signature collection in each of the four regions of California. Each district within the four regions has a district leader recruiting and training as many volunteers as possible to begin collecting signatures on October 8.

"I view a donation to Al Gore's candidacy as a gift to my grandchild!" said volunteer Bonnie Price of La Mesa, California.

San Francisco volunteer Chenoa Akey added, "What happened in 2000 was a travesty, the ramifications of which are being felt globally to this day."

Signature collection begins on October 8 and must be completed by December 4, 2007. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the last president elected due to a draft effort. For more information on the campaign or to contribute to California Draft Gore's campaign, visit www.california4gore.org.

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=763255

[FourScore]

1. shameless kick.

[dkf]

2. run Al run!

[MonkeyFunk]

3. I don't understand "draft" movements

why would anybody want a reluctant candidate? I want a candidate who wants to run, and wants to win, unambiguously.

[DCKit]

4. Sheeit!!!! I just realized that if we'd told GW it was a draft, he'd be living in Mexico now.

With his constituents.

[book_worm]

9. Stop! you make too much sense

besides Al could just tell the state he doesn't want his name on the ballot even if they got enough signitures. Don't get me wrong, I want Al Gore to run, but I don't want a Mario Cuomo coy routine. I want him to want it.

[JTFrog]

11. Reluctant, maybe.

If he were that reluctant, he would end the speculation like he did in 2004. He's even said he believes he'll get back into politics, he's just not saying when. Why would it be at anything less than the highest position he's qualified for?

HE is the one playing the game out. HE is the one who hasn't put it to rest. So far, I'm thinking game well played.

[mod mom]

13. Maybe reluctant or maybe very smart.

there is no need for Gore to enter the race this early. If he enters, there will be a GROUND SWELL of support for him and he will have no problem raising large sums. He has received continued coverage and positive media attention w/o being in the race.

Although I have given taken amounts to campaigns I support, I for one am saving my $ for the hope that Al Gore enters the race this fall.

[Labors of Hercules]

17. He wants the large sums business to end.

I think what he WANTS to do is let all these other candidates raise astronomical $$ to run bloated campaigns using the same F**ked up system, while he coasts into the presidency on the wave of free media and real political conversations.

[Californian Dreamer]

5. At this rate...

It seems he would never even have to run and would still be elected president.

[marions ghost]

6. yeah

and then he'll come up to the podium and say,

"I TOLD you guys...you can take this job & shove it...for the last time--NO THANKS!"

[Labors of Hercules]

18. rrrrriiiiiiigggghhhhhttttt.

That's something Al would definately do. Completely in character for him. not.

[marions ghost]

20. Good grief

take a joke. After what Al went through, he'd be perfectly in his right mind if he thought that.
I KNOW he wouldn't actually SAY that!

Anyway, it's a Joke. You know, like how political cartoons put words in people's mouths that are not what they'd really say, but illustrate something about the situation. Like how you could almost believe that AL could be elected without running because he is so popular and revered now (with good reason)...but it's still a preposterous idea, right? I'm just adding more preposterous on top of that. Politicians don't talk that way....we all know that.

Sorry if you misunderstood my intention.

[RestoreGore]

7. And the harrassment of Al Gore continues...

While his message is ignored.

[OnionPatch]

8. Why do you think his message is being ignored?

I think he's been quite successful in bringing attention to global warming. :shrug:

[JTFrog]

10. Because obviously you can't be supporting

his global warming efforts AND want him to be the next president. Gosh she hasn't pounded that into your head yet? :shrug:

[Nickster]

12. *snicker*

[OnionPatch]

16. I must be hard-headed.

I am totally on board with his efforts to stop global warming and am doing all I can do to further the effort. His fight against global warming is the main reason, I wish he could be our next president. And (no offense to RestoreGore....I agree with *most* of her posts), but Al is a public figure and I don't see the Draft Gore movement as "harassment." I'd venture to guess that most politicians and/or public figures would welcome that kind of harassment.

[Labors of Hercules]

19. He welcomes it, is counting on it, needs it... etc. etc.

Because he has a plan to change the world, and the "harassment" is a big part of it.

[alittlelark]

24. .

:rofl:

[rosesaylavee]

14. This is very good news!

Not all states allow a drafted candidate to appear on a ballot. In Illinois, the candidate has to sign on to the petition.

Go California! You are again leading the country in the right direction.

[Mabus]

15. Go California!

There are so many people who would sign up to support a Gore presidential run. Like Mopinko and others say, "if we build it, he will run."

K&R

[FourScore]

23. If I lived there, I'd sign on. n/t

[FourScore]

21. kick

[JDPriestly]

22. If Gore wants to run, he will get a lot of support.

If he does not put his name out there, we should respect his choice. His primary shortcoming in 2000 was that he did not really fight hard enough. I had the feeling then that he didn't really, really, really want the election. Had he really, really, really wanted it, he would not have given up after Bush v. Gore. He would have stayed in the public eye and fought for us. He did not. I don't hold that against him. I just think he really didn't want the presidency enough to fight for it to that extent. Same for Kerry in 2004. He did not want the job enough to fight to challenge the election results.

We have to have a candidate who really, really, really is willing to be embarrassed, laughed at, reviled, hated if that is what it takes to become president and stand up for the American people. That is, frankly, why I am supporting Edwards. I think he has a vision beyond just protecting his own image from ridicule.