Reply #14: I think his reasons have changed as events have evolved

[Samantha]

I believe in the beginning he did not feel compelled to endorse Hillary because of his past run-ins with her while he was Vice President -- this too has been documented by Mariness and recently mentioned by commentators on cable networks. I believe he has been both personally and professionally disappointed by the Clintons, and the former is just as important to him as the latter. I do not think Gore would endorse anyone he does not feel has high personal ethical standards -- even if they have the raw ability to perform the job.

I also think he entertained the idea of not endorsing anyone.

After a period of time, I believe he started quietly leaning toward Obama. No link, just gut. I feel this is probably the case because Obama has expressed so many opinions on issues, specifically the war and the environment, which are extremely close to those of Gore. Gore might have decided to watch him a bit longer before he decided to endorse him.

With events unraveling as they have, I do feel Gore is standing by now deliberately remaining neutral on the chance an "arbitration" might be necessary at the convention. Obviously, he will not be considered as a fair arbitrator if he has endorsed one or the other. In that regard, I believe he will make no public endorsement until a candidate is named.

Putting all that aside, if the fireworks accelerate and it looks like the chances to win the White House will be greatly diminished by the Clinton versus Obama fight now in progress, I think he will step out and make his preference known. I would be extremely surprised, if not shocked, if that preference were Hillary Clinton.