Al Gore, you're tearing us apart...

[Joe Fields]

My feelings toward Al Gore are as torn as can possibly be. I love the man, and am very grateful for his years of service to our country. He has truly gone way beyond the call of duty. And time has borne him out to be, not only right, but prescient on a number of important issues facing our country and the planet. So, a part of me says, "thank you, Al, for everything you have done, and everything you are doing to curb co2 emissions."

But there is also a part of me who desperately needs him to do what is necessary to save our republic. As much as he has given of himself, we need more. We need him now. He needs to run. I am very concerned that if he doesn't run for president, then the wrongs of the Bush administration will never be addressed by the administration that follows, regardless of whose it may be. And if not the following administration, then most likely never. I want my country back. I want my freedoms back. I want my rights back, and, short of a Kucinich administration, I honestly do not believe it to be possible, unless Al Gore runs.

Which brings up my last point. Al, you are now beginning to truly piss me off. How long does it take for you to make up your mind? And, for whatever reason you have for being so coy about a run for the presidency, I have to say it has worn very thin with me. Make up your damned mind and let us know, one way or the other. You may not think so, but you owe us that much. You're making me feel like an unwanted step-child; like none of us voters matter, that we are just pawns in your little cat and mouse game of "will I or won't I?" We don't like being taken for granted. We have gotten enough of that with our current dem leadership. Please Al, tell us, and make it soon. So many of us want to support you, but the process waits for no one, and we find we must throw our support behind someone. This presidency can be yours for the asking, but dammit, ask for it. And soon, please.

[havocmom]

1. So, if Al doesn't do what you want, it's because he has yet to make up his mind?

That's amusing.

[Joe Fields]

4. Get real. It doesn't take this long to make your mind up.

And, as I said in my post, the process waits for no one, and also, it is a disservice to us voters. And one more thing, it isn't so much what I want, as what this country needs.

[havocmom]

28. Seems the man isn't running. Why do people not get that?

Sure looks like he HAS decided.

Makes no sense for him to run for an office that would only hobble him and his efforts at this point. He is a smart man. Seems likely he HAS decided. Many just don't seem to like or accept the decision.

[knitter4democracy]

34. Last time, he gave an unequivocal no. He hasn't done that yet.

Hard to not have hope when he hasn't said no.

[EstimatedProphet]

37. Of course he's running! He just doesn't know it yet!

Hopefully he'll find out that he's running before he's elected, but even if not, the fact that he doesn't want to run has no bearing on him running!

[iamthebandfanman]

38. why dont people get that

we still want him to run?

[IndyOp]

2. Joe, I too hope Al will toss his hat in the ring, but I believe that if he does

have any thought of running right now then he is holding off for good reason.

He could easily make a late entry into the primaries -- after New Hampshire and Iowa -- when the big state primaries are about to happen, just as Bobby Kennedy did.

He could wait until the DNC convention and accept the nomination there -- if it is an open convention because no candidate has more than 50% of the votes -- then Gore could win the nomination.

Peace.

[AZ Criminal JD]

27. You are wrong

Kennedy could enter late because there were not as many primaries in 1968 as there are now. Many delegates were independently chosen back then and not bound by primary votes. Now almost all delegates are bound to state primary votes. Also the primaries were much later. The California primary where Kennedy was killed was in June. Now it is on Feb. 5. If you think this convention will be open you are dreaming. Name me the last time that has happened.

[rainy]

3. Patience grasshopper, Gore will enter the race. He once said that only the

people could get him to run again. We have work to do. Sign all the draftgore petitions.

[Joe Fields]

8. I have done so, as well as written letters.

And I realize that he feels the process is much too long, and maybe in his own way he is shortening the process, but at great risk to his chances and our hopes for a better America. I haven't given up hope, but really, I am feeling used and abused. I'm sure I'm not the only one, either. He really needs to declare soon. People have to commit to some candidate, and the longer he waits, the less support he will have. Right now, it wouldn't affect him. He is running a strong second in polling. But in another month? Who knows...

[mopinko]

19. i second this- patience

i know, tho. i am passing petitions for a state senator that i have never even met, because i just have to pass petitions for someone. it looks like he will not be on the ballot here in illinois, except maybe as a write in. so, no trip to denver for me, which i was really hoping for.
have a beer. twist one if you've got some. and wait. he is either running the most brilliant campaign ever, or he is really not running. either way, have a beer.

[Pastiche423]

26. I third this

(This is the third time I have thirded (is that a word?) something in the past month.)

Whether Mr. Gore decides to run in the traditional sense or not, his name will be on my paper ballot.

I believe he is trying a different sort of campaign. We all know that he believes our current campaign season is wayyyyyyyyyy friggen too long. It's not like every presidential campaign has lasted almost two years like this one.

If I am wrong and he does not run, it will break my heart. But it will never take away the admiration and appreciation I hold for him.

[cali]

5. Must this be turned into

a fourth rate soap opera? For pity's sake, he's said he has no plans to run. Take him at his word, and stop turning this into theatre.

[Blashyrkh]

11. "Take him at his word". This is what bugs me the most.

The implication of insisting Al is running a covert campaign or undertaking any actions that undermine his statement of "I have no intention of running" is that you consider Al Gore a liar, or at the very least, dishonest with his intentions.

He's their saviour, but they won't accept his word at face value. What's the fucking point?

[Joe Fields]

12. What's the matter Cali? Run out of 90 year old dems to bash today?

[cali]

14. LOL!

yes, I'm just the Cruella Deville of DU, out to bash poor pitiful old dems.

Seriously, time to move on, joe. And time to stop with the hero worship.

[Patchuli]

23. If "his word" included a Sherman Statement,

then we'd let it be so. But we haven't heard that yet, nor has he endorsed any Dem candidate. That is odd, unless he is going to jump in at the 11th hour.

[qdemn7]

6. The only people being "torn apart"

Are those who think Gore is the Messiah.

[Buzz Clik]

7. How many times does Gore have to say he isn't running?

It ain't happening.

You can quit being pissed off now.

[Joe Fields]

13. There must be something wrong with your hearing.

For the 10,000th time, he has said he has no plans to run. That is quite different than saying he will not run.

[SledDriver]

15. Some people hear what they want to hear...

right Joe?

[Joe Fields]

18. And everyone seems to have an agenda.

[Buzz Clik]

22. An agenda? I have no agenda when it comes to Gore.

We nearly two months away from primary season, and Gore has made no moves.

[Peregrine Took]

9. Joe Fields, you have spoken exactly what I feel. S**t or get off the pot, Al!!

I love you but you're driving me crazy.

[backwoodsbob]

16. HE'S NOT RUNNING!

Al:I have no intention of running for president

Worshipper1: Al,quit being coy

Al:I will not run for president in 2008

Worshipper2: Al,why are you teasing us

Al:*taps foot* I have lost my love for politics and will not run

Worshipper3: Damnit Al,when are you gonna announce?

Al:*grabs giant axe* LISTEN TO ME..I"M NOT RUNNING!!!

Worshippers in unison:Al..you better hurry before the deadline for the primaries

Al: *Pulls out uzi and goes to work*..LEAVE ME ALONE!!


Sorry guys...he isn't gonna run

[Buzz Clik]

24. Exactly. Al Gore has left the pot.

[Javaman]

54. I fear the posts come november 13th.

It will be like a massive AA meeting around here.

Al anonymous LOL

[Fly by night]

30. Links, please, to the Al "quotes" in your post. Thank you.

[Milo_Bloom]

39. Too bad he didn't say most of those things.

[Uncle Joe]

48. Except Al Gore never said "he will not run" that's future tense

he's said "he has no plans" present tense, there's a big difference between the two. Even you screaming "HE"S NOT RUNNING!" is only present tense.

[SledDriver]

10. Yeah Joe, not gonna happen.

Heartfelt as your little letter there is, there's no way Gore is running. Sorry to be the one to break that to you. Sorry that he's pissing you off by not making up his mind. It's nice of you to make it up for him though. Still doesn't change the fact he's not running.

I used to be like you. Clinging to that hope that Al would throw his hat in the ring one more time and come riding in on a white horse with shiny armor with the sun glinting off... yeah, he's not running. And it's probably a good thing. This country is finished. It's over. No one can save us. Not Superman. Not Santa Claus. Not Captain Picard. Not me or you. Not Al Gore. Things are too far gone at this point for any one person, and he would be standing alone on everything all of the time, to make any kind of real change in just 4 to 8 years.

Best to just accept it and get ready to have Hillary rammed down our throats next year.

[Joe Fields]

17. My reasoning dictates that you are absolutely right.

My heart just doesn't want to let go, if there's a shred of a chance. You see, I was raised in a different America than the one that many here at du have grown up in. Those memories won't last forever.

[tjwash]

20. "I have no intention of running"

"I have no intention of running"

"I have no intention of running"

"I have no intention of running"

Get. It. Through. Your. Skull.

It's time for you to move on, and work for a different candidate...

[yodermon]

25. He is still purposefully leaving the window open compared to

his language in 2004, where he absolutely ruled it out.

Why is he leaving the window open? That is a fair question, regardless of skull thickness.

[yodermon]

21. There are deadlines coming. You'll know soon enough

Relax! :hi:

[Swamp Rat]

29. NeoGore is "The One!"

:D

[JPettus]

31. Give it up

He's gonna go the Jimmy Carter route and be a more effective statesman in private life than he was as a politician. And that is not a bad thing.

[Joe Fields]

36. If he doesn't make a bid this time, it will haunt him for the rest of his life.

[Stephanie]

32. Petition for Gore in NY >

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2163784

[CK_John]

33. Gore has always been "decision challenged" just like his supporters. Gore is a "fact finder", not

a bad thing, but the job of POTUS needs a "decision maker", not more data.

[Labors of Hercules]

41. What a crock of bullshit.

to call someone "decision challenged" because they THINK before making a decision? :rofl:

[CreekDog]

50. Al Gore is a phenomenal decision maker and commits to things like nobody else

Did you see how hard he worked in the 2000 campaign?

Up all through the night before election day in Miami after a whirlwind tour and despite that he was vigorous, coherent, energetic and emotional.

I had been working for the local dems that year already, but that night he just sold me. I thought, there is nobody that will work harder for me than this man will work for all of us and not for his own gain but because he thinks it's right.

We have seen again and again that he doesn't do things for personal benefit but to benefit causes he cares about. The irony is that this makes him admirable and liked even more than if he had carefully done things to cultivate an image.

But whatever his decision is, I respect it. He is a good man.

[seven7sign]

35. Please do it.

Come on, Al Gore

[Milo_Bloom]

40. There are still ONLY 3 choices.

He knows the amount of time, money and energy being spent on his behalf AND he also knows he could stop it immediately, just like he did in 2002 with the Draft Gore Movement (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/08/AR2007020801273.html) "In 2002, Gore asked Malone to stop a draft effort he had begun; Malone did. Malone started up again and, so far, Gore hasn't waved him off." In fact, as of Oct 13th, Dylan is still out there pushing for a Gore run http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071013/NEWS01/710130343/1001/NEWS "Dylan Malone is the chair of AlGore.org, an organization and a Web site meant to link grassroots Gore organizations around the country.

"My best estimation is that between us we've raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and gathered twice that many names and e-mail addresses of Gore supporters," Malone said. "That dwarfs the presidential campaigns of some of the people who are real, live, honest-to-God candidates."


So, why is Al Gore choosing his words so carefully in 2007 and allowing people to spend so much time and money on his behalf? If Al honestly had NO PLANS to run, wouldn't he encourage this money to spent on other candidates OR on Global Warming? Further, as he continues to issue his non-denial, denial and refuses to make a definitive statement, he knows that he continues to create the expectation that he will run. He is smart enough to know that the longer he holds out, the more he allows people to get their hopes up, the more there will be a BACKLASH if he does not run. This type of backlash can only hurt his future prospects as his most dedicated supporters will feel somewhat led on by his coy statements.

So, at the end, I am left with 3 possibilities.

#1) Al Gore is stupid and doesn't realize the expectation he is creating and that people are spending so much effort and money on his behalf.

#2) Al Gore is heartless, doesn't really care about these people, their time, effort or money and just enjoys having his ego stroked knowing that people want him to be a leader.

#3) Al Gore actually WANTS to run and plans on doing so, but is doing so in a different an innovative way, by putting his ideas out there and allowing a grass roots organization to form around ideas, rather than retail politicking.

Given those choices, I see only one true option.

[Labors of Hercules]

44. KICK THIS SUBTHREAD! I pick door #3 too, Monty!!!

woohoo Milo the reader of minds! :woohoo:

[book_worm]

42. How long does it take you to make up your mind!!?? he has said numerous times he's not running!!

It's the people on DU and elsewhere who won't take him at his word. Get real.

[Milo_Bloom]

45. Please link to the definitive statement. (nt)

[GrpCaptMandrake]

43. Al Gore knows what a mess we're in

probably better than any of us here. He knows its breadth, its depth, its scope.

He knows that the '08 Democratic Presidential nominee is being set up as a Judas Goat.

The Repigs don't want the White House in '08. They fully intend to demonize the Democratic president for four full years as "the woman who lost the war in Iraq" and "the woman who destroyed the economy" and every other vile thing that the BushBastard has done to this country for eight long, cruel, hateful years.

Then, in 2012, with the country in a shambles (caused, bear in mind, by Bush, but dutifully credited to the Democratic incumbent by the MSM and the RNC), they will unveil the Saviour: Jeb Bush, who will lead us to a Bright Golden Tomorrow (TM-RNC) in a City On A Hill (TM-RNC).

Sound familiar? It's the 1975, 1979 and 1983 GOP playbook, and, like a dog returning to its vomit, the Repigs will go straight back to that one because it fits the circumstances in spades.

Al Gore's a mighty smart man. That's why he isn't running. And won't.



Get On The H.O.R.N.!
America's Only Independent Liberal Radio Voice
www.headonradionetwork.com
and
iTunes Radio (Talk/Spoken Word)

[goforit]

46. We the people have to save the republic! Not one man..Al Gore!!!

I'm tired of looking for somebody that can wave their wand and make all the bad guys go away.
This is not reality!!!
Al Gore can't do it with the abusive/power hungry corporations at hand.
We need to do it!!! and starts with the Corporations that have destroyed all essence of a Democracy and are destroying every
part of this Earth's Habitat.
We need motivated scientist that care about Earth.
We need to recycle!!
We need to conserve!!
We need to clean up!!!
We need desalienate ocean water!!!
We need to acquire solar and wind energy!!
We need to produce locally!!!
We need to organize and incentivize all to participate.
Yah... Al gore is great!!! but lets pick up the ball and run with it!!!

[Tactical Progressive]

47. He is not handling this well

He's not running and he shouldn't run. It's Hillary's time, and by a huge margin. Al is being a little pathetic with his coy little 'I have no plans to run' bullshit. He isn't running, yet he can't even get HIMSELF to fully admit it.

If by some strange set of circumstances he ends up running it would be a slap in the face to Democrats everywhere for him to have been playing such a game for so long, against not Republicans, but against his own. He's smart enough not to do that, but he still can't let go. I'm sure he figures he's 'keeping his options open' in case something big happens. But that's bullshit, because if, for instance, Hillary were to suddenly become gravely ill or whatever, he wouldn't have had to leave the door open to explain why he could be convinced to re-assess. The circumstances would provide for such a change in themselves.

Not to mention all of the Gore worship that comes primarily from Dem-Hating-Leftists who intentionally lost the 2000 election to fascists because Al was just a DLC corporate whore. There's not a dime's worth of difference between Al Gore and Dick Cheney. DHL's told me so. Now, without Al having changed nearly one iota as far as I can tell, and I've been a fan of his for twenty years, he's the DHL hero. With their comic-book level political sophistication, Hillary is now the evil DLC antagonist. These are the people he's going to trust to make up his mind? I don't think he's that politically foolish.

Hillary is the right President for the next eight years. Al will hopefully be running the Dept of Energy or the EPA, wielding some serious authority. And maybe Bill on the Supreme Court. Democrats need to strongly kick right-wing ass just to undo some of the damage of the past eight years. These are the people who can do it. If Al honestly wants to do some public service, in the area of environment or whatever else he wants to do, and I have absolutely no doubt he does, he's going to have more opportunity to do so in a Hillary adminstration than he's ever had before - without all of the political bs that Republicans will be puking up on the Dem leader, which he never liked and didn't handle well. Hillary will be fighting Republicans in the death throes of their party and ideology. Al will be working to change the world. He just needs to let go. And there's no saying he can't run for President in eight years. I'd support him in a second.

[Uncle Joe]

49. Why is it Hillary Clinton's time?

Your post seems to be slapping other Democratic candidates in the face, we haven't reached the first caucus and you're ready to declare Hillary Clinton as President?

I believe Al Gore to be the best qualified person for the job hands down, that doesn't mean I worship him.

I believe Al Gore was the primary political champion of the Internet empowering the people over the corporate media's monopoly of information. We can communicate our thoughts and feeling for the entire world to see with out having to go through a media filter, that doesn't mean I worship him.

I believe as the Internet grew in power and influence, the media came to resent him for it, thus they slandered him relentlessly, "Al Gore claimed to have invented the Internet", "Al Gore claimed to have discovered Love Canal", "Al Gore lied about growing up having worked on the family farm" "Al Gore is a fake because he wore earth tones", etc. etc. etc. These were all corporate media spun lies and I dare you to find an owner or CEO that is a DHL as your put it. The truth and facts were out there for them to find if they didn't know them already, they just didn't care. So why the hell should Al Gore trust these people to cover him in a fair or just manner!?

Personally I have doubts the Clintons truly believe the threat of Global Warming is for real or at least they didn't behave like it when Al Gore was running for President.

[Tactical Progressive]

51. I made those points eight years ago

before Democratic Underground even existed, before most DU'ers even knew what the internet was for. It's nice of you to rehash them for me, but I remember the Dem-Hating-Leftists ignoring them wholesale, oblivious to anything but their mindless DLC hatred and their purposeful slander of the very guy they now champion: Al Gore, Corporate Whore.

Same as now.

DHL's haven't changed, they have just re-targetted their mindless, fickle, dishonest tirades against Hillary. So you'll forgive me if I don't really want to listen to eight-year old arguments in favor of Al Gore that they had such disdain for when they counted. Now that strain of leftist that ushered in nearly a decade of fascism - and much more when you count the after-effects like five trillion more in debt, and of course the Supreme Court - wants to inform us all about political realities. They should spend a few years listening instead, for penance if nothing else. If I had done what they have done to this country and the world, I would feel too ashamed to open my mouth about politics one millimeter. But here they are, screaming as loudly and dishonestly and childishly as they always have. No shame whatsoever.

For the record, I didn't mention a single Democratic candidate, let alone slap one in the face. You must have me confused with the DHLs that have been nastily trying to slap Hillary down non-stop. And yet here you are, feeling victimized by my complete non-reference to any other Dem candidate. Why don't you start challenging all of the nasty slaps, since you seem to care, against Hillary? That doesn't seem to bother you? Huh.

It's Hillary's time. She's the first real tough progressive since Bill - tougher even. She's smart and she's had sixteen years experience in DC. Eight of that in the White House, eight in the Senate, and years before that in the Arkansas governorship. Two for the price of one. Repubs tried to use that against Bill in a big way. Instead it's come back to hit them in the face in a big way.

Like alot of what Hillary has done. And will do, to their ugly, evil ideology.

[Uncle Joe]

52. You said this

"If by some strange set of circumstances he ends up running it would be a slap in the face to Democrats everywhere for him to have been playing such a game for so long, against not Republicans, but against his own."

Do you not consider, the corporate media's role in Al Gore's decision whether to run or not and that should he decide to run, it doesn't reflect as a slap against Democrats everywhere? I believe Al Gore was indeed attacked from both sides, but the primary damage came from our so called "fourth estate guardian watchdogs for democracy" who transferred the sins of the Presidency's integrity on to the Vice-President, in this regard Bill Clinton only aided them in that endeavor, and today much of the same corporate media that waged an eight year witch hunt against Clinton can't promote him enough as our nation's very first First Gentleman only they've taken to calling it first husband or first spouse, I find that rather ironic.

I believe the perfect will always be the enemy of the good, but that doesn't change history even after eight years, but a few things are changing. The Internet is growing stronger and more influential every day as more people hook up and global warming has become too big for the corporate media to hide anymore.

[The Witch]

53. SIGNED.

He's pissing me off, too.