If Al Gore Wins The Nobel Peace Prize

This week Al Gore will be addressing the United Nations about global warming at its annual meeting.

It is possible that in a few short weeks America wakes up to news from Europe that Al Gore has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.

If this occurs, it will be a powerful transforming event in American politics that will bring a surge of patriotism and pride to a nation that has been torn by war, divided by partisanship, trapped in a quagmire and alienated from what Jefferson called the decent opinion of mankind.

Let's set aside for now the question of whether Al Gore runs for President, which is unlikely though world events can change our politics in a heartbeat.

The more important matter is what happens to our national dialogue and our democracy if indeed the Nobel Prize is awarded to Gore.

From the moment his award is announced through his speech in December accepting the prize, Al Gore will be the most influential living American in defining the terms of our national debate.

From the immediate surge of media attention until the aftermath of Gore's acceptance speech there will be a profound surge of international and national attention to what Al Gore stands for, and what he has done.

For the first time since September 11, 2001 was hijacked as a pretext for the Iraq war, there will be a powerful, compelling and global discussion of the America that has been and should always be a genuine beacon of hope and light for the world.

At first there will be saturation coverage of the dangers to planet earth, the crisis that poses the ultimate danger comparable to, and possibly even surpassing, the threat of nuclear weapons during the Cold War.

There will be a national and global debate, led by Gore, about the "war of the worlds" between the corrupt and destructive oil-based energy that creates pressures for war and dangers for earth, against the new-energy economy that would benefit citizens, consumers and the planet itself.

Within hours of the Nobel announcement there would be a global statement of American ideals, American values, American traditions, and American notions that have been time honored for more than two hundred years, and placed under attack by George W. Bush and enabled by a submissive Congress unable and unwilling to stop him.

There would be a statement to Americans, and to the world, that the real America is the nation that respects and rallies the free nations of the world rather than the preemptive and arrogant power that alienates freedom's best friends everywhere.

There would be a statement to Americans, and to the world, that we are the nation that agrees with George Washington and believes torture is a crime unworthy of our society, and agrees with generations of military commanders and troops who believe that the Geneva Convention is right, and good, and noble and serves the safety of our troops while standing for the values of our country.

There would be a statement to Americans, and to the world, that we are a nation and a people that believe in the sacred trust embodied by our Constitution, in the two hundred year legacy of the rule of law, where the King is not the law, but the law is the King.

There would be a statement to Americans, and to the world, that we are indeed the leader of the free world, the champion in the battle of ideas, the aspirational hope of good people everywhere that is the friend of those who dream, the ally of those who hope, the partner of those who seek to build a better world and that the arrogance and corruption of recent years is not the real America.

What will happen, if Al Gore is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, is that his issues will be championed on the front pages and on the television screens, stronger than ever, across America and throughout the world.

If Gore chooses to run for President he will have an opportunity to mobilize the nation in a manner similar to Robert Kennedy's late entry in 1968.

More likely, if Gore does not run, his issues will be championed stronger than ever by candidate Clinton, candidate Obama, candidate Edwards, candidate Richardson and the others and will be acted upon, with greater commitment, by President Clinton, President Obama, President Edwards, President Richardson or whomever is elected.

The Democrats will be stronger candidates; the next President will be a stronger President; the American people will feel a resurgence of the patriotism and pride when people around the world once again applaud an American leader who speaks for the authentic voice of America as world leader and beacon of hope.

The recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be predicted, but with the announcement to be made within a few short weeks, there is the real possibility of a transforming moment that will lift our spirits and our national debate at a time when Americans are cynical and distrustful of our politics and government.

Comments

[JamesA1102]

Unfortunately what will also happen is the right-wing smear machine will swing into full action. The likes of Rush, O'Reilly, Hannity and Coulter will do their best to discredit Gore, the Nobel commitee and Global Warming. And they will be aided by Maureen Dowd, Chris Matthews, Tim Russert, Frank Rich and all their other acolytes in the MSM.

[DemandTruth]

You're kidding, right? Talk about wishful thinking. Where is all this heartening and intellectual dialogue supposed to take place? On the TV? Surely you jest! Have you taken a gander at the MSM lately?

If Al Gore wins the Nobel Peace Prize, all you will have is weeks and weeks of the hacks on FOX NOISE gleefully pointing out to you, me, and us all, that the Nobel Peace Prize doesn't mean anything, nobody cares, and actually they always award the Peace Prize to Moonbat Commie Traitors anyway. And the other stations will jump back on the bash-Gore bandwagon and off we'll go to the races.

Honor Al Gore? The American MSM? I'll believe it when I see it.

[nippersdad]

I do so hope that he runs. I think that after all that has happened to him in the political arena, he now has the maturity and political independence to say what he wants and to do what he says. How wonderful it would be to have someone with intelligence and the nation's interest at heart in the White House. I'm probably dreaming, but what a dream to have!

[LindainSFNM]

If Al Gore wins the Nobel Peace Prize, it will be hard for him to resist our call and he'll know that the only person that will make the change we need is him, and he will then soon announce 'he has heard us, he too is concerned, we need to make changes to move forward and he will seek the Presidency of the United States'.

And I can't wait to hear that from him. As time goes by, you can see these candidates running will not make the change we need. And thankfully, Mr. Gore has the vision and the intellect to make it happen.

btw Arianna, saw you and Lawrence ODonnell at the Swing Vote taping in Santa Fe lastnight. You look gREAT!

Time for a COOL change
Gore
2008

[Rowland]

Not only must the United States find energy efficiency for itself, it must lead the world by showing how quality of life is vastly improved by moving to a green society. If this is not done, no matter what we might do, the imitation of our lifestyle will swamp the planet. We must do and lead others to do.

In order to carry all this out, there must be a commitment on a scale rivaled only by the national effort in WWII. In fact, it must surpass that by an order of magnitude. Further, this must come at a time when we have maxed out our credit with China and other nations.

On a practical basis, only the election of Al Gore with a mandate that is truly impressive will enable the United States to convince creditors, friends and foes that we have turned about face from the profligate life we have continued after WWII in using up our resources and throwing the tailings in the yard. Any other candidate and the political wrangling that is sure to follow the election of a lesser light will put our creditors in a wait and see mode that will swamp us before we can carry out such an undertaking.

This time we must hold up an authentic icon to the world in order to expect a rally around our effort and undertaking. Our margin of error and patience for our undertaking has been squandered and yet we must spend our way out of the maelstrom we have created.

[bajamary]

If indeed Al Gore wins the Nobel Peace Prize, perhaps Gore will realize that the bravest path for him to take is the Presidental path. Without his sane leadership our global climate crisis and our very democracy could not recover.

Having read his excellent "Assualt on Reason", where he frequently refers to the significant power of the US President, I believe he knows this is the single most powerful position that a person could have to ease our race to global extection.

So why would Al Gore not seriously consider running for President? Historically, it is not "too late" to announce a canadacy nor does Gore need to have a large politcal machinery in place. If he runs, millions will step up and contribute their money, time and engery.

Hope never dies, for if it really did, if indeed Al Gore has settled for the path without running for the mosty powerful position for change in the USA, well I'd have to finally admit the negative powers have won.

[The Collinbrandt]

Al Gores time is over. He should have raised any army and fought a civil war before he capitulated to a rigged election. I and my kind don't fight in wars but, we would have fought for that one!!!!!!!!

[bringbackimus]

As much as I respect Al Gore, I can't see the media giving him a break even if he does win the Nobel Peace Prize. He will always be too intellegent and geeky to the media. This country is seriously wounded after almost 7 years of Bush, and the media can't see beyond reporting celebrity news and disaster. Mr. Gore may make headlines on the day he wins, but the next day it will be back to the same old stories about H. Clinton, Bill Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, and other has beens. Its a shame that Mr. Gore has decided not to run for president.

[Annisee]

That's the first uplifting article I've read in weeks.

Thank you, Mr. Budowsky.

Maybe it's a forlorn hope that Al Gore will run, even if he wins the Nobel Peace Prize, but it's a hope and a dream to carry us a little further along this dark road we're travelling on just now. If he'd run, win, AND ask Kucinich to be his VP - that'd be an even better dream.

[BillZBubb]

Does the corrupt Bush administration (redundant, I know!) have any stooges on the Nobel committee? If so, Gore's not going to win. The right wing cannot allow that.

If he does win, as Janco pointed out above, Gore's glory will be short lived as the right wing noise machine goes into full attack mode.

[mkylksit]

If it happens it might very well be "a powerful transforming event" in the eyes of the rest of the world, but - sadly - we in the U.S. probably won't hear much about it in the media, what with important people like O.J. Simpson, Rosie O'Donnell, Britney Spears (and her fans) making all the news....

[standupnow]

Even if Gore Wins: the Democrats will still be cowards; the war in Iraq will still grind on towards an escalation into a war with Iran, too; masses of Americans will still be fixated by OJ or Brittany or the latest media circus of the day instead of dealing with realities like the human misery we have unleashed in Iraq; and the global warming deniers and their right-wing echo chamber will be in full force. Sorry, but all the evidence is that our Republic is ending, its unresolved internal contradictions accelerated into self-destruction by our absurd reaction to 9/11, and Global Warming is just too slow, and too abstract, to wake up too many Americans.

[LizM]

Here is something that will make you forget all about Al Gore...

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&cPath=6_12&products_id=201086-1&tID=5&highlight=

You'll have to scroll through about an hour and 48 minutes worth of Senate business to get to Senator Biden's introduction of the Biden et al. amendment, to the Defense Authorization Bill, which would require the US government to begin to promote a political solution in Iraq based on principles of federalism.

His remarks, including a very interesting exchange with Senator Warner, were a singular demonstration of presidential leadership in action.

After spending the hour or so viewing this video, I will bet that your facsination with Al Gore will be over.

[DaveMacaray]

People of Earth:
As much as we'd all like to see Gore throw his hat in the ring, he's made it clear he's not going to run for president. His daughter has made that clear. His closest friends, advisors, colleagues have said as much. Gore is happy doing what he's doing.

And even if he were interested in running, it's more or less too late. The Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina political machinery is already in place. Enough with the pipe dreams. Gore is out.

[CADem]

The world can't wait for America's turn around. This is an opportunity for this nation to heal itself and become the democracy that it was intended to be. Al Gore could be the answer.

That would be great day for our nation! Even if it might be raining.....