Will Al Gore run for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination?

[Guaranteed]

Poll question: Will Al Gore run for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination?

What do you think, at this point?

[More Than A Feeling]

1. There is only one person who can actually claim to know that, and even he might not know.

[Guaranteed]

2. How would he respond to this poll? nt

[More Than A Feeling]

3. To know that, I'd have to be Al Gore, and I am not, sadly.

[Guaranteed]

4. Let's pretend you're Al Gore. What's your answer? nt

[More Than A Feeling]

7. (channel Al Gore)If I were Al Gore...

I'd have to balance my duty to my country, with the risk that if I didn't really want to be president, I might not, no matter how hard I try, give my greatest effort to win. My whole mind, body and soul would have to be committed. On the other hand, I know that there are people out there who are so committed, and whom I might be able to trust to do the right thing, at least some of the time. I'll still be around anyway, and its not like they'll be able to refuse my calls. I'm becoming a national icon here!

So the question is, how much do I want it? The answer, based on everything I've said, probably not enough. (/channel Al Gore)s

[Milo_Bloom]

5. Here's why I think he is...

If he wasn't seriously considering it, he would make a definitive statement about 2008. People KEEP asking him if he is running and he keeps giving coy answers, "I am not PLANNING on running", etc. However, if he wasn't considering it, his answer would be, I am definately NOT running in 2008, but can't rule out sometime beyond that.

Keep in mind, by this point in the 2004 election, Gore had ALREADY ANNOUNCED that he was not running (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/12/15/politics/main533080.shtml)

To continue to keep himself in the discussion despite several other people announcing and his knowing that many people are holding their donations back until he makes a definitive statement, makes me 90% certain he is running, thus, I went with "Pretty sure"

[crispini]

13. Yeah, BUT, he might just be doing that as a coy way of keeping the spotlight....

publicity for Mr. Gore is also publicity for global warming.

That said, I do think that his leaving the door open just that wee bit is interesting.

As someone very astutely posted above, how confident is he that he can entrust his issue to someone else? I think Mr. Gore himself has not made up his mind about that.

The other factor which nobody has mentioned yet is exactly how damn addictive it is to be a candidate. It's really heady. There's a reason Al uses the line "I'm a recovering politician." I can't help but think that there is some small corner in his mind that remembers exactly how much fun it is and wants to go back, despite all of the crap that you get.

[Guaranteed]

15. The RS article mentioned as one of its main points that

running for President is one of those things you never give up. Once you want it, you want it for good.

Think about it- this guy was V.P. for eight years. And he got HOW close to the Presidency....? LOL he WON, and wasn't able to take office.

You don't think he still wants it? Come on.

And look at what he's been doing....year after year, making speeches, presentations, movies, writing books...about to win a Nobel Prize, maybe.

I would be very surprised if he decides not to run. Very surprised. He is exceedingly well-positioned, and it sure seems like he's been working on putting himself in that position for a looooooong time.

[crispini]

16. I bet he has mixed feelings.

Mr. Gore strikes me as the kind of person who has found a new personal balance in his life. I bet he has a lot more time to spend with his family and having fun these days. That's addictive too. Does that counterbalance the deep inner need to "save the world and help people" that you see with the true public servants? I don't know. One thing that Buddhism (and other philosophies) teach you is that you CAN'T save the world, you can just save yourself. That said, if you WANT to save the world, go for it.

I am willing to bet that he has not yet himself made his mind up.

[PhilipShore]

6. 100% sure he's running

[wakeme2008]

8. Rolling Stone mag says the biggest problem facing Gore is running against

Bill Clinton's wife. He likes Bill but he knows once he enters, Bill will become his enemy.

[Guaranteed]

9. Awww....how could Big Dawg do that?

He's so cute and loveable... ;)

[Samantha]

18. 1992 Clinton needed Gore more than the other way around

Read Mariness on the subject.

In 2004, right before Gore bowed out, he was polling over 50% preference among the Dems, Hillary was polling 19%. The only difference between then and now is that many Dems think he is not running and Hillary is on record as having supported the resolution that enabled Bush* to go into Iraq, as Gore spoke out against it. If he announced he was in, all the big Dem money men would back him, as recently reported in the New York Times.

Gore and Hillary have been political opponents since 1992. He is accustomed to butting heads with her and Bill behind her certainly would not give Gore pause.

I think he's really scoping out the political landscape and struggling to make a decision. Hillary is a non-factor to him. Additionally, he could self-finance now if he chose to do so, having made 50 million off his Google investment alone.

The only thing giving Gore pause now is Gore's ambivalence. He's got to talk himself into it.

[wyldwolf]

10. a different question: Would you bet your next paycheck on him running?

[Guaranteed]

11. Well, even as sure as I am that he is, no.

That's just not the type of thing I would bet. Seems a little risky...

I'd bet your next paycheck on it, though.

[wyldwolf]

12. you'll bet MY next paycheck... hmmm... gimme some odds!!!

[PresidentObama]

14. I don't think he'll run.

I REALLY wish he would. And I would be on board, but I just don't think so.

:cry:

[JNelson6563]

17. Are you afraid to hope?

I am a little bit.

[PresidentObama]

23. Not afraid to hope.

Just afraid to get my hopes up. My original candidate got out, so it kind of taught me to not get my hopes up. I hope Vice President Gore and General Clark both get into this race, we need their voices in this debate!!

[against all enemies]

19. Probably the best candidate. Best chance to win.

[Clarkie1]

20. No idea, but I hope so.

He would sure beat the "top tier" (cough, cough) candidates we have now.

[Apollo11]

21. He is keeping his options open

First of all: I would say that Al Gore is the best qualified person for the job, 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 (he spoke to 10 000 people in Boise last month, and is speaking at a Conference in England today). He will testify at a US Congressional Hearing in Washington on March 21st. Hopefully he might even get on stage at the Oscar ceremony on Feb 25th! :)

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! :)

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! :)

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 pro-Gore websites:
www.algore.com
www.algore.org
www.draftgore.com - Sign the petition! :)
www.draftgore2008.org
www.patriotsforgore.com

:kick:

[lojasmo]

22. I hope so...No desire to vote for the current crop. EOM