Obama: I'd Hire Gore

WALLINGFORD, Pa. — Sen. Barack Obama said Wednesday he would give Al Gore, a Nobel prize winner, a major role in an Obama administration to address the problem of global warming.

At a town-hall meeting, Obama was asked if he would tap the former vice president for his Cabinet to handle global warming.

"I would," Obama said. "Not only will I, but I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this problem. He's somebody I talk to on a regular basis. I'm already consulting with him in terms of these issues, but climate change is real. It is something we have to deal with now, not 10 years from now, not 20 years from now."

Since leaving the White House, Gore has gone on to become one of the world's leading voices for combating the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming. His work earned him a share of the Nobel last year.

Popular among Democrats, Gore is perhaps the single most coveted endorsement up for grabs in the long-running competition between Obama and rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The relationship between Gore and the Clintons became strained after Gore limited Bill Clinton's campaigning on his behalf in the 2000 presidential race which elected George W. Bush.

Obama said he would use Gore to help forge a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions designed to lower pollution.

The Illinois senator cautioned that such a system could mean an increase in electricity bills from power companies that rely on coal-burning, and that some of the money generated from a cap-and-trade system may be used in the beginning to help lower income or fixed income customers with those bills.

He also called on individuals to do their part to lower energy consumption.

"All of us are going to have to change our habits. We are a wasteful culture," he said.

Using compact fluorescent light bulbs, energy efficient appliances, and unplugging power chargers when they're not in use are relatively simple solutions, he said.

"Those kinds of simple steps, if everybody takes them, can drastically reduce our energy consumption."

(This version CORRECTS Corrects thruout to DELETE reference to questioner asking about position higher than Cabinet.)

Comments

[robXdion]

The problem with Gore in 2000 was he was too smart. In 2008 the problem with Obama is that he is black. The funny thing is by next March they could both be on the sidelines looking at America floundering like a beheading chicken because Americans have an intellectual and racial bias. Hillary can trump sexism because of her notoriety, but with her issues and history she can't beat McCain. So we'll be left with McCain, who can't explain how to fix domestic and economic crises, but that's ok.

[ZHarris]

McCrazy will not be the next President...

[WLA]

I think you're wrong, Chet.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/105904/Dems-Reps-Agree-Obama-Tougher-Opponent-McCain.aspx

[livesimply]

Get some hope!

[Titonwan]

I sure read a lot of disrespectful people on here. That's GOOD NEWS! That means, they'll come around (no matter what they say right now) to voting for young Senator Barack Obama so he can be our next President of the United States of America! Good show! I rarely come back to a thread, so if you got some more bitchin' to do, I guess you'll have to "talk to the hand"! Ha:)

[brettv65]

Obama's right .... I cut my home energy bill 24% by putting in all energy-efficient lights and appliances .... unplugging chargers and PC when not in use !!

[GarsLuber]

I did it a while ago, and have been enjoying the savings ever since.

With the price of energy, it's amazing that more aren't easy things to reduce consumption.

[civilbehavior]

We did too.

We did drastic reductions. Set up air conditioning thermostat, all cfc's in lamps most used. never leave on computer, launder less by wearing clothes more than once and we were able to cut our bill almost in half during the cooler months (here in Florida).

It is time not only for conservation but it is time for the government to ration gas.

Yes, ration gas. It must happen if we are to force the oil companies to do something about changing our driving habits.

[JohnKemp]

No wonder Obama likes Gore.

My opinion is that in no time soon the fictitious Obama will be needing to buy some "vote credits."

[WLA]

I don't remember anyone asking, winger.

[ZHarris]

Kemp likes to share his opinion even when he doesn't have one...

[SupremeIdiot]

I guess in your world Obama is ficticious.

Also, WMD's are in Iraq and unicorns prance with fairy princesses.

[JohnKemp]

Hey, no need to worry; Obama is going to bomb Pakistan.

And, yes, he'll not even tell the Pakistanis.

"In case you missed it, this week, there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died — an entire town destroyed," the Democratic presidential candidate said in a speech to 500 people packed into a sweltering Richmond art studio for a fundraiser.

Damn, Obama. What a visionary.

[zippywpinhead]

"unicorns prance with fairy princesses" No, you're thinking of Larry Craig...

[batgirlevi]

Yawn.

You aren't very bright are you?

[Nochnoi]

Last time I checked, Senator Obama was a living person.... therefor he can not be fictitious...

[PingMama]

This is the best strategic move I've seen from Obama yet. Gore is beloved by millions of Democrats and has tremendous sympathy due to the lost election.

This may make more people flock to Obama.

[pupbayer]

The real question here is will Gore work for Obama. As the article states, relations have been strained between Gore and the Clintons for years but yet he still hasn't come out in support of Obama.

[GarsLuber]

It's hard to believe that he wouldn't accept an important position from either Dem, if for nothing else than a sense of duty.

If it were a sincere offer, he'd probably work in the bush boy administration... but we all know that those positions are for unqualified corrupt cronies.

[PingMama]

Gore is right to remain neutral for now, but I do think he would work for Obama. There is no way he would ever work for the Clinton's after how he was treated.

But I do think this is a great strategic move and I wonder how much steam this will pick up over the airwaves in the next few days.

[RRH]

Has anyone done a fact check on Obama's comments about Al Gore? It's unlikely Al Gore would consider any job in DC. He is doing just fine. I think Obama is a name dropper. He is trying very hard to take PA from Senator Clinton. I hope factcheck.org looks into Obama's Gore comments or was it pandering?

[BrooklynLager]

It was in response to an audience question: do you see Al Gore playing a role in your administration?

This headline is kind of stupid.

[ZHarris]

factcheck.org is part of the Republican spin machine...

[WLA]

Surprising? Not really.

[nogimmicks]

Al Gore has chosen not to fight. I understand that it is safer to talk about 'global warming' than about war, economic downward spiral, and disappearing privacy, constitution and the rule of the People. The bosses just love that BS, it does not challenge them but distracts the people, just like religion.

[HansB]

Al Gore will be "at the table" no matter who wins, Obama, Clinton, or McCain. I doubt he's looking for a job, though. Although he may settle for a really powerful one, like Secretary of State. Which would make sense since he is the one American capable of restoring the US's image overnight (we foreigners haven't been subjected to the "Gore is crazy" Bush-propaganda), because of the need to get the whole world aboard re global warming, and because of Gore's national security credentials which everyone seems to forget about.

[WLA]

That's a pretty rational comment, Hans. I hope the crazies don't drive you away from the site. It's refreshing to hear points of view from outside of the US.

[Bluesage]

If Obama had answered this question by saying how honored and grateful he would be to have Al Gore's wisdom and experience put to use in an Obama administration, he would have gained my respect but the truth is, Obama is an arrogant and tactless novice.

[marinade]

Obama seems kind of down to earth and sincere to me. Like a regular guy who can relate to regular people.

[robXdion]

Yeah, he has some audacity! The nerve of him not bowing down to kiss Gore's feet even though he wasn't in the room and the question was asked at random amongst several other random questions. The nerve!!!

[Titonwan]

I think you need to show some respect to the next President of the United States.

[Kim445588]

Yeah right, so you would have changed your whole view.

[Passenger57]

Bluesage,you think Obama's response was "Arrogant and tactless"?
Y'mean kinda like when Clinton offered Obama the vice -presidency when Obama was (and is) ahead of her in the polls and delegate count?
Like that?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Cogito, erGO GORE

Gore for Veep, if not the whole enchilada.

[NoOtherWay]

Gore is a wimp. He should have fought back in 2000. He doesn't have the balls to be a great leader.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Fight back?

HOW exactly?

[WLA]

Take on the SCOTUS in a cage match?

[manuforte]

Wow! I agree! Hiring Al Gore is the first reason I would NOT vote for Obama.

[WLA]

You wouldn't have anyway and you know it. Any excuse will do for you.

[livesimply]

First reason? I think not. First reason is you are a neocon.

[WLA]

Well he's not running, so you have nothing to worry about, tough guy.

[DAbraha]

Do you know anything about Global Warming? Leadership comes in different forms! Or you are used to the Bush type of Leadership!

Regarding fighting in 2000...did you forget he went all the way to the Supreme Court and lost. I guess you Clinton supporters don't understand graceful exit.

[GoodGuysandBadGuys]

yeah and how hard would you fight if lieberman was to be your vp? please, he had better things to do at that point. I do not think that lieberamn was gore's choice - I think he was forced on gore.

[GoodGuysandBadGuys]

forced on gore by the dlc - you know, that horrendous club of elites formed by the clintons.

[TXfemmom]

I agree with some of the other posters, Huffington is the Fox News of Liberal and progressive blogs.

They are cheerleaders for Barack and look at him and treat him the way Condoleeza Rice and Harriet Myers looked and spoke of GW.

Obama saying this about Gore, when Gore is twice the man he is, experienced, noble, and respected abroad and here at home is JUST PLAIN ARROGANCE. Obama should be happy to be HIRED BY GORE. I doubt that this makes it by the bigoted and prejudiced monitors on the site.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Huzzah.

I'd say the same if the colors were reversed, or if they were both purple.

[j0e]

What are you talking about? Are you saying that because the site doesn't censor items that are positive about Obama that it is some fake propoganda machine? Seriously, you Hillary partisans need to get a grip; you are the ones that brought the nasty, and you spend day after day trying to re-project it onto Obama and supporters. Only problem is Obama has too much class, and that is why you guys REALLY hate him and call him arrogant. Your mean-spirited pissy crap is just sliding off (notice Pennsylvania poll narrowing). Everything you are trying is failing... I guess that'd piss me off, too... unfortunately, this is a party that debates facts and looks at things objectively. Sadly, I don't think, by that definition, that these type of Hill supporters are true dems. Otherwise, we wouldn't even be at this point in the "dialogue"

Quit projecting your failings onto Obama! Yes, I smell turds too, but I know (and you do subconsciously, which is the source of your nastiness) which camp is emitting the odor. CLue? IT ain't Obama's...

[DAbraha]

So...don't hate the player, hate the game!!

[missjabez]

Yes, Obama has some nerve not building a shrine to Gore. I find his audacity appalling. And if you don't like this blog why hang around?

[BrooklynLager]

Except he wasn't asked if he saw himself in a possible Gore administration, he was asked if he saw Gore in a possible, uh, him administration.

By the way, you were right. Huffington Post censored you again. I'm responding to a blank screen.

[gipper1]

Al Gore would make a great Secretary of State.

[plutorage]

Gore vs. Clintons - what a contrast in character.

I have the feeling Gore would love to be Secretary of the Environmental & Protection Agency. I remember poor Whitman resigning in (barely concealed) disgust as Bush's Sec of EPA.

I am beginning to feel better about my future already.

I am now going to switch over to read the post about Hillary's new 3 AM call. I wonder if Hillary has considered filling out a partial term as Bush's Secretary of Defence. She could have swell time sitting on the phone in the middle of the night directing bombs to their targets. She seems to have some kind of unnatural bent for this sort of thing.

[finethnx]

Maya Angelou says: When someone shows you who they are, believe them-the first time.
I watched Obama tell the black community they were being bamboozled. I heard his Pastor Wright address his congregation and tell them he was sick of black people who just don't get it. He said Hillary ain't never been called a n------! He was saying that they needed to vote for the black man. Period. Obama showed us who he is by his relationship with this Afrocentric preacher. Don't ever doubt it.

He is telling the good people what they want to hear, not who he really is. But it's right there if you look for it.

[Nochnoi]

I would love to post on this subject..... but nooooooooo­oooo......­..........­.....