Will Al Gore Run?

[senatorlamb]

From politico.com (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0207/2891.html)


Gore's Oscar Fuels Call for Late Run
By: Mike Allen
February 26, 2007 04:18 PM EST

Former Vice President Al Gore, left, and actor Leonardo DiCaprio discuss ther Oscars going green during the 79th Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Former Vice President Al Gore's triumph at the Oscars is already stoking activists’ pleas for him to make a dramatic late entry into the fractious presidential race, and some key strategists insist he could announce as late as September or October and still win the nomination.

“Honestly, this was the inaugural parade we all envisioned,” said Donna Brazile, his former campaign manager. “Gore's political stock is hot right now. I don’t know if I would cash in now with so many players still on stage. There’s no reason to force him to declare tomorrow. ”

Indeed, Brazile said the former vice president could wait as late as the time states begin requiring delegate slates and statements of candidacy, since he could raise money quickly and much of the campaigns’ budgets are devoted to a long nominating process he would avoid. "This was one of those rare moments, similar to the civil rights movement, when you experience the ground shifting," she said. "Perhaps it’s not a movement for a presidential run, but a moment for the debate to start for real change on how we live on planet earth."

Friends who talk regularly with Gore say that he believes what he tells the press – that he’s not planning to run for president. Backstage on Sunday night, he repeated his mantra: "I do not have plans to become a candidate for office again." No draft movement is being authorized or encouraged, and there are no internal discussions of a campaign, the friends insist. But they say he has deliberately not closed the door. It just doesn’t feel right to him and he’s only 58....

From WP (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/26/AR2007022601251.html)

An Oscar For His Second Act

By Richard Cohen
Tuesday, February 27, 2007; Page A15

Now, somebody ought to make a movie about Al Gore. I would call it "An Uncomplaining Life."
The movie would be about a man who did not quit, who came off the canvas after a painfully close election -- he won the popular vote, after all -- who accepted defeat graciously and tried to unite the nation, who returned to the consuming passion of his earlier days, the environment.... This may or may not be a stepping stone to the presidency, but Gore gives us all a lesson on how to live one's life....
Gore would not have taken the United States to war in Iraq. He would have finished the job in Afghanistan -- it was al-Qaeda and its Taliban enablers who were responsible for the attacks on us on Sept. 11, 2001, not Saddam Hussein, no matter how vile he might have been. Gore would not have dealt with the Iranians and the North Koreans in such a juvenile fashion -- axis of evil, after all -- and all over the world, wherever you and I went, we would not detect such anger toward America....
Jimmy Carter said Sunday on ABC's "This Week" that he thought Gore ought to run and had told Gore so insistently. "He almost told me the last time I called, 'Don't call me anymore,' " Carter said. What Gore told me was something similar: "I think there are other ways to serve."
We'll see. After all, Gore -- the son of a senator himself -- was raised for the presidency. But for the moment at least, he is showing all the irritating signs of a man at peace with himself. He abandoned Washington for Nashville.... and he has set out to show that there is life after a failed candidacy, a purposeful life in which a man can do some good. His movie and his speeches are -- to paraphrase what Clausewitz said about war -- a continuation of politics by other means. He cannot make war but he can still make a difference.... With an Oscar in his fist and triumph on his face, Al Gore is a man you can tell your kid about. That, maybe, is even better than being president.

From The Economist
(http://draftgore.com/economist.htm)


Washington, DC
February 26, 2007
As voters weary of the front-runners, what a chance for AI Gore
ENOUGH already. The primaries are 11 months away and the race is already growing stale. The citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire are longing for the day when they can visit Denny's without hav ing to meet Hillary or Rudy. And the press is busy recycling the same old stories. Can Barack Obama run for president and give up smoking at the same time? Will Hillary hand her Senate seat to Bill if she wins? Is America ready for a Mormon president? Or a black? Or a woman? Or a man who once dressed as Marilyn Monroe?
There is no shortage of money or ideas: the candidates' treasure chests are overflowing and the think-tanks churn out policy papers. But there is a severe shortage of attention. People will not be able to watch the same soap opera, endlessly repeated on 24-hour cable news and pored over in the blogosphere, for months on end without getting sick of the main characters.
Which means that there is a huge opportunity for somebody to arrive late and steal the show. The late entrant will not only have the advantage of being a fresh face. He or she could also change the whole dynamic of the race, gaining enough momentum to storm through Iowa and New Hampshire.
Step forward AI Gore. Mr. Gore has enough of a national profile to command instant credibility. He has rich friends to finance him. He will also command plenty of attention in his own right over the next few months: his film "An Inconvenient Truth" could win an Oscar for best documentary on Sunday, and he may be up for the Nobel peace prize in the autumn.
Mr. Gore is the ideal candidate for the Democratic stalwarts who turn out to vote in the primaries. He came out strongly against invading Iraq. He has spent the past six years warning the world about global warming. And he was robbed of victory in 2000 by the man whom the Democrats loathe above all others. What better way of wiping out the Bush era than replacing him with the man who should have been president?
Mr. Gore is adamant that he does not want to run again. But will he be able to resist? It would be one of the great dramas of American political history. And James Carville, keen observer of politicians, says that, for them, running for president is rather like having sex for normal people: it is not something that you do just once if you have any say in the matter.


And additionally, James Carville said on Don Imus this morning that Al Gore will run. http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/02/carvill... (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/02/carville_predic.html)



Carville Predicts Gore '08 Run

ABC News' Paul Fidalgo Reports: "I think he's gonna run," James Carville told Don Imus Tuesday morning of former Vice President Gore's potential presidential ambitions.

Appearing as a guest on "Imus in the Morning" on radio and MSNBC, the former Clinton strategist said: "Running for president is like sex, Don. You don't do it once and forget about it."

This is not the first time that Carville has offered his prediction about Gore, or uttered his line about sex, but it is likely to receive additional attention in the wake of Gore's high-profile Sunday appearance during the 79th Annual Academy Awards.

...

Carville expressed his support for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., but said that it would be "difficult" for her to win the Democratic nomination.

As for the man for whom he once worked, Carville said, "Bill Clinton is the most popular human being on Earth," and referred to himself as a "Shiite Clintonite."

So, will he?

[splat out path]

I have no idea why anyone would vote for him. He's been out of politics for eight years and has devoted the bulk of his time to a single issue.

[thatwasamoment]

Not sure, but if he runs, then he will win. But I don't think he wants the pressures and responsibilities of being the president.

I think he'll keep doing what hes doing and preserve his legacy as the man that brought global warming to the mainstream media and the man that should of been president.

[aminorthreat55]

I'm going to go with no, but if he does he should wait a few months and stay out of this three ring circus.

[senatorlamb]

Personally, I prefer he concentrates on global warming. I have a feeling that the next President, regardless of party affiliation, will have to address the issue. Therefore, Gore could remain a strong, continuing voice to influence policy. However, once he becomes a candidate, his message will become politicized and then viewed a lot more skeptically, especially by conservatives. I think its important his message stays above the fray of politics no matter how much some Republican elements wish to make scientific fact apart of the left/right political battles.

[and we whisper]

I don't think he'll run in 2008. he's seems content and still completely rapped up in everything he's doing with global warming and he's fine with that. but i do think we'll here a lot more from him coming up toward the election just to get the candidates talking about the issues important to him.

[IAPAI]

Personally, I prefer he concentrates on global warming. I have a feeling that the next President, regardless of party affiliation, will have to address the issue. Therefore, Gore could remain a strong, continuing voice to influence policy. However, once he becomes a candidate, his message will become politicized and then viewed a lot more skeptically, especially by conservatives. I think its important his message stays above the fray of politics no matter how much some Republican elements wish to make scientific fact apart of the left/right political battles.

I don't think it's as important for him to concentrate solely on global warming. He's delivered a message. An Invonvenient Truth isn't going to have a sequel.
He's shown that he can reach out to the people and convey a message, and garner incredible support. People used to think he was boring - now that his movie has won an Oscar, his public perception has changed a bit - he seems "cooler".
If he can do for other issues what he has done for global warming, I think it would be a shame for him to NOT run for President.

[Ambulance Y]

Zomg Al Gore halp me! Mah globe iz warming!

[and we whisper]

Zomg Al Gore halp me! Mah globe iz warming!

that was stupid on your behalf.

[senatorlamb]

Zomg Al Gore halp me! Mah globe iz warming!

moron.

[Drewisrad25]

I hope he runs.

it was pretty funny when he was up there with Leonardo and started to say he was going to run and the music cut him off.

[trindaddy]

i honestly dont think he will run. he would probably win if he did, but im guessing he would've already announced by now if he were going to actually run, since big names like hilary and obama have already announced.
can you imagine if he does though? the democratic party would have 3 of the biggest names in american politics over the past decade.

[senatorlamb]

i honestly dont think he will run. he would probably win if he did, but im guessing he would've already announced by now if he were going to actually run, since big names like hilary and obama have already announced.
can you imagine if he does though? the democratic party would have 3 of some of the biggest names in american politics over the past decade.

well, keep in mind. the presidential campaigns have started extremely early this year because candidates need more and more money for the high priced markets of increasingly early primaries, such as in large states like California and maybe Illinois and New Jersey. So, its still early in the game. Plus, Gore has a lot of sources for money, considering he already had an established donor network, and clearly, has a lot friends in Hollywood. So, he still has time and if he did it at the right time, he could suck a lot of air out of the other campaigns, and build big momentum going into the primaries. However, with Obama and Clinton dominating as it is, I think he will wait on the side to see if one of those campaign loses steam or makes a major mistake, because with those two running, he would have a hard time.

[trindaddy]

well, keep in mind. the presidential campaigns have started extremely early this year because candidates need more and more money for the high priced markets of increasingly early primaries, such as in large states like California and maybe Illinois and New Jersey. So, its still early in the game. Plus, Gore has a lot of sources for money, considering he already had an established donor network, and clearly, has a lot friends in Hollywood. So, he still has time and if he did it at the right time, he could suck a lot of air out of the other campaigns, and build big momentum going into the primaries. However, with Obama and Clinton dominating as it is, I think he will wait on the side to see if one of those campaign loses steam or makes a major mistake, because with those two running, he would have a hard time.

good points. im sure money is no problem at all for gore, neither is support. it's just that it seems all the big people running have announced and i would think he would do the same by about now. he could announce he's running this summer and still have plenty of time to get together a following. everywhere he goes to promote his movie only gains more support for himself.
however (though im obviously not a campaign advisor by any means) i would think he would announce around now for a few reasons. one is to get better known to younger voters. i myself was only a freshman in high school when he ran against bush. kids who were four years younger than me are now old enough to vote. i feel he could appeal to them better if he jumps into the race now (the younger generation seems to love barrack, even myself). another is to remind people what his stances are on issues seeing how he's spent the last 8 years dedicated to global warming. i think he has some good policies, and wouldn't mind him running,
who knows though, im sure we'll find out definately soon enough.

[TheByrus]

al gore should run.


the dude needs to shed some lbs.

[senatorlamb]

al gore should run.


the dude needs to shed some lbs.

wow, what an intelligent remark. you amaze me more every time you post.

[TheByrus]

wow, what an intelligent remark. you amaze me more everytime you post.


everytime is not a word, chief.

[TxRepresent]

everytime is not a word, chief.

pwnt.

[concernedparent]

run where

[lightcollapse]

i love me some al gore

[chronomic]

lockbox

[senatorlamb]

pwnt.

He can come in this thread to make a dumb joke about Al Gore's weight, but, oh yes, because I forgot to put a space in between every and time, I got pwnt.

[trindaddy]

looks like king of factual knowledge is here too :rolleyes:

[TheOtherAndrew]

al gore should run.


the dude needs to shed some lbs.
I see nothing wrong with a fatty president. William Howard Taft made it, why can't Plus-size Gore?

[Nowisnotthetime]

I just doubt he'll run. He really seems over the whole idea.

[TxRepresent]

He can come in this thread to make a dumb joke about Al Gore's weight, but, oh yes, because I forgot to put a space in between every and time, I got pwnt.

I didn't stutter.

[music3chick]

I just doubt he'll run. He really seems over the whole idea.

i agree. he mentioned too many times that he's more focused on the issue of global warming.
but then again, barack obama didn't like the idea of running for president either

[aircourtneys]

I vote no he won't run

[and we whisper]

i think he realizes how hard it would be to enter the election with two other very strong candidates. if he doesn't run, who do you think he'll support? Hillary or Barrack?

[The Revisionist]

wow, what an intelligent remark. you amaze me more every time you post.Oh c'mooooooon man, I thought that was a fairly humorous turnaround on the title of this thread.

[thatwasamoment]

He can come in this thread to make a dumb joke about Al Gore's weight, but, oh yes, because I forgot to put a space in between every and time, I got pwnt.Figured you would know how this site works by now.

[Ambulance Y]

moron.

What about Al Gore?

[TheByrus]

I see nothing wrong with a fatty president. William Howard Taft made it, why can't Plus-size Gore?


all i'm saying is "cake is not a good group."

[TheByrus]

He can come in this thread to make a dumb joke about Al Gore's weight, but, oh yes, because I forgot to put a space in between every and time, I got pwnt.


if you don't bother to read what you wrote, why should anyone else?

[MotionIsntMeaning]

He would probably have a good chance of winning the nomination if he did run. His image has improved a lot over the past few years. With a year left before the primarys he still has lots of time to announce.

Obama and Clinton are the front runners now due to name recognition and media attention. They may get the nomination but I don't know if either could win the presidency. As much as most Americans like to think they are unbiased and would vote for a woman or a black man, when it came down to actually voting I don't know if it would happen.

Al Gore is a white man (sadly this still does seem to make a difference to many people) with 8 years of VP experience. Realistically, he probably has a good chance, especially to win over the south.

[senatorlamb]

He would probably have a good chance of winning the nomination if he did run. His image has improved a lot over the past few years. With a year left before the primarys he still has lots of time to announce.

Obama and Clinton are the front runners now due to name recognition and media attention. They may get the nomination but I don't know if either could win the presidency. As much as most Americans like to think they are unbiased and would vote for a woman or a black man, when it came down to actually voting I don't know if it would happen.

Al Gore is a white man (sadly this still does seem to make a difference to many people) with 8 years of VP experience. Realistically, he probably has a good chance, especially to win over the south.

Keep in mind a recent Gallup poll (http://tailrank.com/1318754/Some-Americans-Reluctant-to-Vote-for-Mormon-72-Year-Old-Presidential-Candidates) shows that the American people would be more comfortable voting for a woman or black person, then they would a Mormon, a 72 year old, and a person married three times. If you know the Republican frontrunners, you know that the latter three descriptions do not bode well for their political prospects.

[youcomebeforeyo]

al gore iz in ur atmospherz, stopn ur global warminz


Though seriously, he seems like a good candidate from what i've read. I don't even live in the US and i'm sick of the pre primary coverage on Fox (the only American cable channel we get here :S). A fresh face towards the begining of the primaries could be a major winner.

[senatorlamb]

An interesting AOL poll and feature (http://news.aol.com/dailypulse/022707/_a/should-gore-run/20070227110209990001?ncid=NWS000100 00000001) on a possible Gore run.

[MotionIsntMeaning]

Keep in mind a recent Gallup poll (http://tailrank.com/1318754/Some-Americans-Reluctant-to-Vote-for-Mormon-72-Year-Old-Presidential-Candidates) shows that the American people would be more comfortable voting for a woman or black person, then they would a Mormon, a 72 year old, and a person married three times. If you know the Republican frontrunners, you know that the latter three descriptions do not bode well for their political prospects.

True. The Republican party may have a tough time finding a viable candidate. Which might make the Democrats win by default (again). But I think sometimes in polls people give answers based on what they think they should say, not what they actually believe. In theory they would vote for a woman or a black person (over the Mormon, 72 year old, and the divorcee), but given the choice of a qualified white male (Gore) I wonder how the results would turn out?

[AnotherTale...]

if he runs, hilary will kill em in the primaries.

[AnF1500]

al gore should run.


the dude needs to shed some lbs.
aaahahaha I lol'd.


But I seriously doubt he would run. I do however have a ton of respect for the guy.

[senatorlamb]

Just saw on CNN's Situation Room that a new poll puts Al Gore in 3rd place (above John Edwards) among Democrats in their preference for President. Keep in mind Al Gore has so far said he has no intention to run. Now I didn't catch the exact numbers, but I think Gore had 16%. The new poll also said that he has a higher favorability rating than both Clinton and Obama. Seems that Oscar has got him some buzz.

[TheOtherAndrew]

Just saw on CNN's Situation Room that a new poll puts Al Gore in 3rd place (above John Edwards) among Democrats in their preference for President. Keep in mind Al Gore has so far said he has no intention to run. Now I didn't catch the exact numbers, but I think Gore had 16%. The new poll also said that he has a higher favorability rating than both Clinton and Obama. Seems that Oscar has got him some buzz.
Sucks to be Edwards right now, a guy who probably isn't even gonna run is beating him. Oh well.

[senatorlamb]

Sucks to be Edwards right now, a guy who probably isn't even gonna run is beating him. Oh well.

I wouldn't count Edwards out yet, we still got a long way to go until primary season. Barring an Al Gore run, Edwards is the only high polling white male right now. A lot of cautious Democrats may think Obama and Clinton don't have a chance, and instead play it safe with Edwards. Also, Edward's populist campaign gets support from both liberals and blue-collar, conservative Dems. Additionally, since he's no longer in the Senate, he has a lot of freedom to use the tougher rhetoric, and the base generally loves the red meat.

[TheOtherAndrew]

Additionally, since he's no longer in the Senate, he has a lot of freedom to use the tougher rhetoric, and the base generally loves the red meat.
Good point, but if Gore does decide to run, he'll have that advantage too, and he's much more popular with the base than Edwards.

[aminorthreat55]

I was at a discussion this evening with Terry McAuliffe (runs Hilary's campaign, former chair of DNC, etc, etc) and he said there is no way in hell Al Gore will run. He has no intentions to and has no desires to and in fact hates politics. I'll take his word for it seeing as how he's a great friend of Gore's.

[senatorlamb]

I was at a discussion this evening with Terry McAuliffe (runs Hilary's campaign, former chair of DNC, etc, etc) and he said there is no way in hell Al Gore will run. He has no intentions to and has no desires to and in fact hates politics. I'll take his word for it seeing as how he's a great friend of Gore's.

Interesting...Where was this discussion? Considering he is Clinton's golden boy, why would he know for sure what a potential political rival was going to decide? The only one who knows is Al Gore.

[aminorthreat55]

Interesting...Where was this discussion? Considering he is Clinton's golden boy, why would he know for sure what a potential political rival was going to decide? The only one who knows is Al Gore.
This was a closed discussion at my college tonight. He said based on all of his experience with Al Gore as a person (which is a lot) he can see no way that Gore would enter. Based on all of the things he is currently involved in as well as his dislike for politics, he wouldn't enter the race.

[senatorlamb]

Newsweek (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17662279/site/newsweek):


Gore On the Un-Campaign Trail
Newsweek
March 26, 2007 issue - Since the documentary he starred in, "An Inconvenient Truth," won an Academy Award, speculation has only increased about Al Gore's potential entry into the presidential race. He is not taking any overt steps toward running, and that may be the cleverest strategy of all. A Democratic strategist sent Gore a memo sometime ago suggesting he announce, but forgo the traditional campaign trail and continue promoting the cause of global warming. He would be the nonpolitical candidate. Word came back: Gore isn't running. But in fact he is. Whether it results in an official run depends on what the field looks like six months from now. Laurie David, who helped bankroll Gore's film, and whose "personal fantasy" is that he run, says that when she presses him, he's always coy and says his cell phone is breaking up. "I believe him when he says he doesn't have any intention of running," David told NEWSWEEK. "But I also believe the door is not completely shut."

As part of his noncampaign, the former VP is returning this week to Capitol Hill for the first time since he left the White House to testify before the House and Senate about global warming. Gore will warn that the problem is accelerating so fast that any solution must be more than incremental. "The danger is they'll do some small fix that allows them to claim credit without facing up to the problem," says an adviser who did not want to be on the record seeming to disparage Congress.

A leading indicator of his intentions could be Gore's waistline. The theory is that slimming down will be a signal he intends to run. "He has lost a few pounds, and Hillary can read into that what she wants," says a longtime adviser who declined to be identified discussing his boss's figure. Gore has always been a voracious eater, and at 58, the pounds don't come off so easily. He is trying to be healthier, working out daily when he can.

Gore is also finishing a book that sure seems like a prelude to something. "The Assault on Reason," to be published in May, is about "the forces in society that are undermining democracy," says Roy Neel, Gore's chief of staff. The manuscript has gone through three rewrites in the past month because of new Bush administration scandals. Gore undoubtedly knows that he'd lose his iconic status the minute he got in the race. But Earth Day is coming up. Laurie David and Sheryl Crow will lead a college tour that will culminate with a rally in Washington. Perfect setting for a presidential announcement, but Gore won't be there. He'll be conducting a virtual reunion of the thousand "climate messengers" he has trained to carry on his crusade.

—Eleanor Clift

[theguilt engine]

I want him to, but I don't think he is. Sadly.

[aminorthreat55]

I still don't think he'll run but if he does he should wait until at least the fall.

[lilRIPsta]

o god o hope not

[chronomic]

lock box








im so cereal, guys.

[cortezthekilla]

the moment he is elected, i'm packing my bags and i'm moving to canada or england. aggg

[senatorlamb]

Telegraph.co.uk

Gore campaign team assembles in secret

By Tim Shipman in Washington, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 11:59pm BST 21/04/2007

Friends of Al Gore have secretly started assembling a campaign team in preparation for the former American vice-president to make a fresh bid for the White House.

Two members of Mr Gore's staff from his unsuccessful attempt in 2000 say they have been approached to see if they would be available to work with him again.

Mr Gore, President Bill Clinton's deputy, has said he wants to concentrate on publicising the need to combat climate change, a case made in his film, An Inconvenient Truth, which won him an Oscar this year.

But, aware that he may step into the wide open race for the White House, former strategists are sounding out a shadow team that could run his campaign at short notice. In approaching former campaign staff, including political strategists and communications officials, they are making clear they are not acting on formal instructions from Mr Gore, 59, but have not been asked to stop.

His denials of interest in the presidency have been couched in terms of "no plans" or "no intention" - politically ambiguous language that does not rule out a run.

One of his former campaign team said: "I was asked whether I would be available towards the end of the year if I am needed. They know he has not ruled out running and if he decides to jump in, he will have to move very fast.

"He hasn't asked them to do this, but nor has he told them not to."

In an interview on Thursday, which touched on the prospects for next year's presidential election, Mr Clinton commented: "You've got the prospect that Vice-President Gore might run."

The most recent opinion polls show Mr Gore as third favourite to take the Democratic nomination, on about 17 per cent support, only a whisker behind Barack Obama, 45, who is aiming to become the first black US president, and ahead of John Edwards, 53, the senator whose wife was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Vice-President Gore's allies believe that Hillary Clinton, 59, the frontrunner, is unable to win the presidency. The most recent poll shows a growing number of voters think negatively of her, in contrast to Mr Gore, who enjoys far greater popularity than when he lost the 2000 presidential race despite polling more votes nationally than the eventual winner, George W Bush.

The second aide approached by Vice-President Gore's allies said: "There is no love lost between Gore and Hillary. They don't think she can win and they're probably right. If Gore runs, he's got a really good chance of getting the nomination. And he has a good chance of pulling off the election, too."

Gore-watchers believe that a new book he is publishing next month on the state of US politics will keep his name in the public eye. Many of his supporters helped to run the unsuccessful presidential campaign of John Kerry in 2004. But since Sen Kerry abandoned his presidential aspirations this year, many of his leading advisers have yet to align themselves with any of the other candidates.

They were expected to join the campaign of Sen Edwards, who was Sen Kerry's running mate last time.

The former aide, who has himself signed up with Sen Edwards, said: "The question is: where have all the Kerry people gone? The answer for most of them is nowhere. Now ask yourself why."

Among the senior officials not yet committed is Michael Whouley, who was national field director for the successful Clinton-Gore 1992 presidential campaign, national campaign manager for Mr Gore when he stood for re-election as vice-president in 1996, and then a senior adviser to Mr Gore in 2000.

Considered one of the most talented Democratic "ground war" experts, he masterminded John Kerry's political resurrection in the New Hampshire presidential primary three years ago, putting him on course for the nomination. Last year, he oversaw the Democratic victory in the mid-term elections.

Two months ago, a former Gore aide, Elaine Kamarck, convened a group of former aides in Boston to consider the possibilities of a Gore campaign.

James Carville, President Clinton's former strategy chief, suggested last week that Mr Gore, who has piled on the pounds, could shed weight over the summer to make himself more media-friendly for a White House run.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he lost 15lb or so," said Mr Carville. "And I think if people thought he could get us out of the mess we're in with Iraq, they wouldn't care how fat he is."

A poll of leading Democratic and Republican strategists found that one in four thought Mr Gore would emerge a strong contender. "He already has emerged - he just has to announce," a Democrat told the magazine Opinion Journal.

A Republican said: "Gore could be the toughest Democrat to beat."

At least eight websites are campaigning to "Draft Gore" into the election. More than 70,000 people have signed an online petition, and more than 120 groups of Gore supporters meet each month around the country to promote the case for a Gore presidency. One website offers the chance to download a song called Run Al, Run!

[IAPAI]

as far as a democratic nominee goes, he'd have a pretty good chance at this point.

[aminorthreat55]

Based on what McAuliffe said, I still don't think he'll run.

[atticus1492]

and the "election" of Bush didnt promt you to do that?

Seriously.

[IAPAI]

Based on what McAuliffe said, I still don't think he'll run.

But, in all honesty, where else is he expected to go with his "global warming" campaign? I think a Hollywood movie and an Oscar is about as much as you can expect as far as drawing attention goes. If he wants to really make a difference, he needs political power. He is in a perfect position to run and, personally, I hope he makes his enters the democratic primaries.

[aminorthreat55]

But, in all honesty, where else is he expected to go with his "global warming" campaign? I think a Hollywood movie and an Oscar is about as much as you can expect as far as drawing attention goes. If he wants to really make a difference, he needs political power. He is in a perfect position to run and, personally, I hope he makes his enters the democratic primaries.
It's because he just created and owns an entire television network. That's more of the reason than the good old slideshow, although he still gives that all the time.