Al Gore didn't run, but he could end this overnight with an endorsement

[IDemo]

Amidst all the angst about how tight the race is and may continue to be, with images of Super Delegates settling the issue with or without regard to the popular vote, it seems obvious to me that much of the pain could be spared (well, for ~half of the voters, anyway) with an endorsement by Al Gore. While Edwards will more than likely offer his endorsement and delegates to Obama, Gore's preference remains the single biggest unanswered question of the campaign. As much as he may feel he wants to focus all his energy on climate change, he surely must feel that one of these two will advance policies in that area more effectively than the other one would.

Of course, a brokered convention which resulted in a Gore nomination might be the best outcome for all, but don't hold your breath for that one!

[Captain Hilts]

1. He has nothing to gain by doing so. nt

[IDemo]

8. I don't think he necessarily would look for personal gain in doing so

The man's ethics seem to indicate he is more concerned about actual global issues than with gaining personal benefits. Promoting the right person for the most powerful job on the planet would be a natural part of that.

[onehandle]

2. Gore/Edwards 2008

And all of this goes away.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

3. Sure, Al Gore endorses, and things get settled once and for all. There won't be any

petty attacks on him or the candidate he endorses. The seas will calm, the skies will clear and we'll want for nothing after his endorsement.

[Radical Activist]

9. And I'm sure Clinton supporters care very much about what Gore thinks.

No doubt that would be enough to make people switch. uh huh...

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

11. And I'm a delegate for whom? Do your research, please.

[sam sarrha]

14. i love that photo of McCain hump'n Bu$h's leg..!!!

[IDemo]

12. binary thinker much?

I don't think I actually implied that. Sure there would be emotional fallout for whomever didn't receive the nod, but this would mean much more to most Democrats than even Kennedy's Obama endorsement. No other factor at this point minus a major blunder by either campaign is going to keep this from being tight through the convention.

[polticalpout]

4. Are people who support 1 sideor the other going to change their minds because of Gore?

I don't think people will just follow Gore and do what he says, at this point is about the Obama and Hillary, not what other people thnk about them, including the mighty Gore.

[John Q. Citizen]

5. I don't think it would matter to the degree that it would end it over night. Some undecideds

might listen and vote accordingly, but I doubt people who have made up their mind would switch because of an endorsement.

Would you?

[IDemo]

13. This is definitely about the undecideds.

Those who have already chosen, from both camps, are not going to be swayed. But a large number of undecided voters left in the remaining races very definitely would be listening to Al if he spoke up. It was without question the biggest disappointment of this election for many Dems when it finally became evident he was not running.

[nightrider767]

6. Gore the Silent Sentinal...

Seems like he truly is sick of the political arena.

I give him credit for that.

I highly doubt he'd be backing Hillary though, on what I guess would be his own personal reasons.

A guess friends, not an invitation for an all night debate.

Cheers.

[lastliberalintexas]

7. And I applaud him for not trying to do so

Let the voters have their say for once, even if I personally disagree with their choices so far. It's been too long since we had such a contested race.

[TomClash]

10. He won't endorse

but if he does it will NOT be for Hillary unless she is the nominee and then it will be tepid.

[KaryninMiami]

15. If there is a chance he could be drafted, then he's smarter to wait.

But that still, sadly, seems unlikely.

Otherwise, the gift of a Gore endorsement might be better served used to endorse unity of our party which at the moment, is splintered in two camps and will be until after the convention. He and Howard Dean could do some serious positive party healing - and regardless of who wins the nomination, we will ALL have a shitload of work to do if we want to beat whom ever the GOP winds up running (probably McCain). They are not going to give up power without a major battle- remember that and we will need a landslide if we are to take over the White House and Congress- both of which are mandatory as we know, in 2008.

[RestoreGore]

16. Mr. Gore already stated none of the candidates have a climate change plan that meets criteria

As a Nobel Peace Prize winner who actually sees the science, I think he knows better than most what is needed, and as he stated in Davos none of them have addressed it as it should be addressed to this point. So perhaps he just doesn't believe any candidate warrants his endorsement. I believe he is also not in this to soothe his own ego or get political revenge like everyone else is, and truly wants to keep it non partisan. And that is his business and I respect him immensely for it.