Al Gore Sigh Reprised On Capitol Hill (VIDEO)

The sigh heard round the world -- the one that may have cost Al Gore the White House in 2000 -- returned to Capitol Hill Friday as an exasperated former vice president dealt with questioning from his home state Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).

"Thank you for your patience today," Blackburn began, before asking him if he was familiar with a company that stood to profit in a green economy.

"Well yes, I'm a partner," said Gore, laughing.

Well then, said Blackburn, is it true that you're pushing all this climate change stuff because you're trying to get rich?

That was enough to bring out the first sigh. "If you believe the reason I have been working on this issue for 30 years is because of greed, you don't know me," he said.

Blackburn replied that she was merely looking for "clarification."

"I understand exactly what you're doing, congresswoman. Everyone here does," said Gore.

Blackburn wondered if Gore would donate his profits to charity. Gore told her he already does. "I've been wiling to put my money where my mouth is. Do you think there's something wrong with being active in business in this country?" he asked.

Just asking, Blackburn said, this time eliciting an even more audible sigh, followed by a disbelieving head-shake.

For a flashback, here's a Daily Show clip circa 2000 highlighting Gore's famous debate sighs:

Ryan Grim is the author of the soon-to-be-released book This Is Your Country On Drugs: The Secret History of Getting High in America

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Comments

[rwext]

Hey Al ,,, Did ya see those planes doing Baracks photo Op today ? almost the carbon footprint of one of your junkets

[marco01]

The sign didn't cost Al Gore the election, the media's childish and irresponsible focus on it did. In just the same way they cost Howard Dean the nomination because they focused on a whoop of excitement from Dean that no one could hear above the crowd unless you where in the booth with his mike feed.

The media does not seem to understand or accept their responsibility of providing accurate coverage when they misuse their influence and focus on tabloid style trivia which ends up warping the narrative.

[revhatchell]

so, she either didn't do her research or or she thinks attacking a nobel prize winning environmentalist would get some play back in the sticks.

btw can anyone answer this question?

does manufacturing of carbonated beverages effect c02 levels?

[iamaceltic]

Give 'em hell, Al!

[kappa08]

And you wonder why this guy wanted NOTHING to do with politics for a country filled with idiots....

[freelyb]

Go, Al. We appreciate all you have done!

[Octoberluna]

Poor Al, ignorant people are everywhere. Don't you know better than to point out the obvious to the oblivious after all this time?

[Andrew Shapter]

It seems as if some Republican comments are from dittoheads who would rather take their cues from a man who is losing his credibility as days pass. A man who is not a scientist but considers himself an expert of science.

First Limbaugh claimed that "Global warming is a myth" however, once he learned that he was going to look stupid for saying it, he modified it to "The fact that Global warming is 'man made' is a myth"....soooo, now he agrees it's actually happening? Did the dittoheads even notice El Rushbo's recent choice of words? Probably not.

I remember working in the Senate Russell building in 1990 and seeing Senator Gore talk about these issues back then. At that time, folks thought he was nuts, but who's laughing now (besides dittoheads)?

[Crass Innuendo]

Sighing really wasn't the appropriate response. The appropriate response to idiots looking to score cheap political points is to throw a brick at them.

[BadgersBite]

She was trying to take a dig at Al and he stomped on her - good for him !

[texasnative3]

Good for Al Gore. He's not running for anything, and the days of ridiculous attention to non-events should be over. The guy who posted this must have nothing else to contribute, or he would have found something more interesting to post.

[power1]

The awareness that Al Gore has brought to this issue shouldn't excuse him from being a hypocrite.

[freelyb]

It's a matter of relative good in any one person's existence, don't you think? He's definitely earned some good karma...

[Brian F]

I'm not a huge Al Gore fan or anything, but those sighs are classic. Honestly, I can't blame him for them either. I find myself sighing heavily anytime I listen to govt officials as well. Whether you agree with Gore or not, it doesn't take much to realize that he really is light-years ahead of most of those people in terms of intelligence. Me thinks he's aware of it, too. lol

[stondem]

Didn't we think the earth was cooling 30 years ago?

[fumes]

that was before SUV's

[stondem]

Or before the sun warmed?

[Aristophanes Smith]

Scientists didn't. See:

http://ams.allenpress.com/archive/1520-0477/89/9/pdf/i1520-0477-89-9-1325.pdf

[fumes]

there should be a 911 type number that we can call when witnessing the unnecessary burning of fossil

fuel.. like the photo op over nyc just now. how about the number 262 (for CO2)?