The Gore Factor
Let us assume for a moment that the Democratic convention commences in August without a presumptive nominee. (Neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama appear likely to throw in the towel before the convention, no matter what happens on May 6, and it also seems increasingly likely that the candidates will be effectively locked in a stalemate, notwithstanding Obama's almost inevitable lead in pledged delegates and probable lead in the popular vote.) If no nominee is selected on the first ballot, the convention will become a brokered one, and (obviously) it is at this point impossible to guess who will emerge victorious on any subsequent ballot.
But imagine this: what if Barack Obama, if unsuccessful on the first ballot, rather than continue to fight for the nomination, meets with Al Gore, yes Gore, and tells him that he would willingly throw his support behind a 'Draft Gore' campaign, and become his vice-presidential running mate. One cannot imagine a scenario under which, with Obama's and his supporters' (and delegates') support, Al Gore would not become the nominee on the second or a subsequent ballot, even accounting for a last-minute furious fight by a Clinton campaign known for its fury.
Admittedly, Al Gore has often publicly said he is no longer interested in the presidency, that he is well over the disappointment of not attaining it, and that he can do better work (on the environment and global warming) as a private citizen. And he has said those things with all sincerity. But it is relatively easy to make those comments and believe them when the presidency is an abstract notion, and when the idea of entering the grueling fray of a long winter of primary politics is a singularly unattractive one to a retired politician. But one cannot underestimate the effect, sitting in the convention hall in Denver and watching the future of his party, and potentially his country, being decided and his being offered, on the proverbial silver platter, the opportunity to likely become the forty-third president of the United States a mere two-and-a-half months later, can have. (And who really believes that as president of the United States he cannot do more for his cause than he can as a tireless, and admittedly often effective, private citizen?) As the saying goes, "show me the money," and such a scenario would surely have to figuratively count for a lot of cash. Nobel prize winner, Oscar-winner Albert Gore would have to possess an unusually small or suppressed ego, something neither he nor any other politician is known for, to refuse the proposition.
But why, one might ask, would Obama make such a suggestion in the first place? Well, why shouldn't he? He is, and would be, understandably reluctant to become the Clinton running mate, a rival he will have arguably beaten; he would understandably be reluctant to become the running mate of a rival whose husband was himself a two-term, and highly popular, president, and he would be understandably reluctant to become the running mate of someone whose campaign at least, if not always herself and her spouse, has engaged in rather vituperative, malicious, and even vulgar attacks on him and his character. But the running mate of the granddaddy (now that Bill can really no longer be considered that) of his party? Barack Obama knows full well that if he cannot become president in 2008, matched with the right candidate (and assuming a good eight years), he will likely become president in 2016. When he is still in his fifties. He also knows that even were he to prevail at a brokered convention, he will be in a tough fight against John McCain, not least because as we have recently re-discovered, race cannot not be factor in these United States, certainly not in 2008.
I have been, and am still, an enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama for President of the United States. I believe that an Obama presidency will be enormously beneficial for the country and will have the potential to revolutionize our foreign policy, to the great advantage of the U.S. and the rest of the world. I am still hopeful, indeed optimistic, that he will become the nominee of the party, and believe he should. But if that is not to be, Obama might do almost as much good as the Vice President, at least in a Gore administration.
A Gore/Obama Democratic ticket would be a hard one to beat by any Republican, let alone the seventy-one year old John McCain, who can hardly be considered one of the more formidable Republican nominees in recent history. Dream ticket? It's this, not Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton. Al Gore and Barack Obama, if they were to seriously consider running together, would be the saviors of what soon will be a fractured Democratic party, and would virtually ensure a Democratic White House in 2009. And as my friend Glenn O'Brien, copywriter extraordinaire, pointed out last year (well before it was clear that Gore would not be running) a Gore campaign would have the ultimate campaign slogan, one that Obama, (even) Clinton, their supporters, and many independents couldn't help but happily endorse: "Re-elect Gore 2008."
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Look, Obama friggin won. Why would he be anyone's running mate, this is insanity. Frankly Gore had his chance and while I think he won, the problem wasn't florida it was Tenn. If you can't win your own state after the best economic boon in a hundred years then you lose the presidency. It should be like a rule.
Obama lost his bid for the presidency the day he met Rev. Wright.
YOU WISH!!!
You can say the same for Hillary, cant you? When she and Bill were going thru their "Monica crisis", it was Rev Wright that was summoned to the White House for spiritual counseling. Obama doesnt throw that up to her though.
Gore was following an economic boom of sorts (the poor didn't make out too well under a number of policy changes, such as Welfare reform), but more importantly he was following an impeached Chief Executive and the most embarassing and specific details of personal sexual conduct (misconduct to many) ever to be publicized about a sitting President. This, plus the presence of Nader and the historical disadvantage VP presidential candidates face, makes Gore's victory in the popular vote (and probably in the electoral college too) quite impressive, and underscores the vast difference in qualification between him and his opponent then, a difference that has been felt keenly by the country every year since.
Obama is ahead, but that's not winning under the rules. Winning is getting X number of delegates. Nobody has done so. Nobody has won. The superdelegates will decide that and the rules say they can use any basis they want. From that standpoint it is legitimate to argue electability to the superdelegates. They can argue that voters would have voted differently had they known all the "bad" stuff about Obama that we do now.
That's legit, just like it's legit to argue that they should go along with the guy in the lead, or that they should ratify their local constituency's vote, or any other argument. (The "electoral votes" argument is not logical, however.) Unfortunately, the polling doesn't really show voters abandoning Obama in droves. He is either gaining or holding his own in the remaining contests.
It won't be Gore.
However, I can see Obama offering Edwards the VP spot and the two of them being chosen for the ticket. Just because Obama isn't the nominee on the first round won't mean he won't be on the second.
I think Hillary /Edwards is a much better ticket
Neither Clinton nor Obama can go to the convention as the winner. It is simple math. There are not enough delegates left for either of them to declare victory. One would have to drop out of the race. Not happening. Over the next 4 months, the attacks will continue. Rev Wright, Mickey Kantor, sniper fire, lapel pins, etc. The people are growing weary. John McCain and his friends in the press will continue their unifying of the republican party. Show the picture of McCain eating cake with Bush while New Orleans drowned. Contrast that with the picture of Gore. At his own expense, Gore rented an American Airline. He gathered doctors and nurses, flew to New Orleans and rescued more than 200. He took them to Chattanooga to receive medical treatment. Gore asked the awaiting reporters not to publish his name or it would become political. Getty Images has the photo. This is the kind of leadership Americans are wanting. Gore never made a "sherman statement". If asked, I do believe Gore will accept the nomination. I believe Obama would be the best choice for VP. Obama would make history and it would help some of our less progressive citizens ease into the idea of a man of color being in a position of leadership. If it is Obama that approaches Gore, his supporters will join him in the effort. My choice is Al Gore.
I love Al Gore. A piece of me died in 2000 when he didn't win. His concession speech brought me tears. I was hopeful when I heard the chants of "Gore in '04" at the end, but knowing how the Democratic party treats its losing nominees, I knew his opportunity has passed. So while I share your fantasy of having him as President, I just don't think he should get it in that way. I'm not a Barack Obama supporter but I know that it just isn't right to hand over the fruits of his labor to Gore, who hasn't even so much as endorsed him.
It should not be assumed that Barack Obama's supporters will support this, particularly the black community who has been giving him 90% of their vote. 90% despite Obama not bringing black issues to the fore. 90% despite Obama throwing Wright to the wolves in an attempt to appease the white working class. 90% despite Obama taking their vote for granted. They are unified and have put up a protective shield around Obama. If he steps aside, that reduces Obama to the role of slave, having done all this free work so the white man could prosper. That shield will drop and won't ever be raised so strongly again. Not in the 2012, 2016 and so on.
And as I recall, the black vote did not come out for Al Gore in 2000.
Are you kidding? Gore is not half the fighter Obama is, and Obama should just give up now that he is about to win?
Folks know that for a very long time, I supported the idea of a Gore/Dean ticket. But I don't see why Obama offer to give up a nomination that he has clearly earned.
Obama/Dean 08
Fast relief for the Fierce Urgency of Now
I support him but he hasn't earned it. Getting the required number of delegates = earning the nomination.
What is it with all these democrats fantasizing about weird things.
Lets have a dream ticket so we don't have to chose.
Lets see if Gore will run and the nominee can be vp.
on and on. How silly.
You are so right. We are wasting pixels on these silly what-if's. The Primary's Season will mercifully end in 4 weeks, and then the Superdelegates will chose the Dem Nominee. Until then, let's try to hold off on the "Presidential Fantasy League Draft".
How about Gore throwing his support behind Obama?
Yes!!
Now you're talking.
Gore won't do it until Obama has 2025 delegates or Hillary drops out. Gore knows Obama can't win the general election, but he also has personal issues with the Clintons. Therefore, he stays out of it until it won't matter.
why do we have to put up with these silly opinions?
just in case you read the peoples comments Hooman, here i s what will happen.
the s.d. will get behind Obama very soon.
they are not silly enough as you to even think to allow hillary the nomination or to wait till the convention to speak up.
take it to the bank.
and btw...Obam
sheesh..si
no need to put up with these opinions. you clicked on it and read. feel free to skip it.
What if pigs could fly?
What if I won the lottery?
What if the supreme court had never appointed Bush king?
What if Al Gore could fly?
This should be the next issue of Marvel Comic's "What If...." series...w
I've been happy for Al Gore. You can see how much more relaxed he is just saying what he believes instead of mouthing the script provided by a national campaign staff. He's in his element now.
Don't put him back in that box. He wasn't a good national campaigner. He blew a very winnable election. He's doing good work where he is. If he wants to be Secretary of the Interior, or Secretary of Energy, bravo. But don't campaign, Al. Just don't.
I agree. I loved the beard, thought it really flattered him by making look more loosened up. Give him the EPA or the dept of Energy.
Okay, we've had our fantasy moment. Obama is going to be the nominee. Can we start to support him, please?
This might be the best way to disenfranchise millions of voters. Great idea! Let's all follow the reasoning of one man. What country are we living in that this could actually be a good idea? We have few different branches of government (last time I checked). I don't care who the democratic nominee is... no one deserves that much power! This is goofy.
The Democratic Party appointing Al Gore is analogous to the SCOTUS appointing GWB. I have to look at your bio Mr. Majd to see where you come from. Don't they have a thing called free elections over there?
I would have no problem with it, and it would certainly be poetic justice for Gore, wouldn't it, becoming president 8 years after the office was stolen from him. But Mr. Majd, is fantasizing, like we all do from time to time. Gore seems to be over politics and I don't blame him.
What would that accomlish? Hillary isn't any readier to allow Gore to deprive her of her destiny than she is Obama.
Hate her though I do, both Clinton and Obama have killed themselves campaigning and raising money, and they're just going to say, okay, and hand it to Al Gore who has done nothing to show that he wants this nomination more than anything? Sheesh!
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