Is Gore Energized to Join the Obama Cabinet?

Al Gore is flying to Chicago tomorrow to meet with Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Is it just to chat up and advise the new Democratic president and vice president? Or is there something more at work?
Obama is reportedly considering creating an energy czar. Gore would be the logical pick. As czar he would be able to help oversee the Transportation department, the Interior department, and the Environmental Protection Agency. He would have a powerful voice over everything from mileage standards to conservation requirements. Even as the Bush administration continues to try to gut regulations such as restrictions on mining and drilling in Utah's most pristine national parks, it must be awfully tempting for Gore to have the chance to put rhetoric into action.

His warnings about global warming, ridiculed when he first delved into the subject decades ago as a Congressman, have proven prophetic. George H.W. Bush even mocked him as "Ozone Al" in 1992. Now who's laughing?

During the Clinton administration, Gore devoted much of his energies to reinventing government and foreign policy. Now that his political career no longer hangs in the balance, Gore would be liberated to do what he believes is the right thing. As energy czar, he'd have the chance this time to reinvent, among other things, Detroit, which is sorely in need of reinventing.

For Obama the choice would only have upsides. The Democratic base, which is chafing at his cabinet choices, would be jubilant. If Obama is going to ransack the Clinton administration for advisors, then Gore seems like a logical move. He's the biggest name Obama could land. It would, you could even say, be an electrifying choice.

Comments

[Beacheagle]

From your mouth to God's ears........ We need Al.

[DasBoatless]

I am a big proponent of Gore and his environmental views, owever your article suggests that Mr. Gore operate in a maverick state. We are at a period where jobs must be protected as well as the environment. I think Mr. Gore is better off as a free speaking advocate than as a cabinet member in the new administration. Unfortunately the new president has to act in moderation to preserve both sides and Al Gore could prove to be a devisive factor allowing the republican party to regain over the next 2 election cycles. Including the 2012 elections...

[cjgnew]

Just like Obama managed to convince HRC that the Secretary of State position would be challenging to her while actually helping the country that she loves, I hope our President-elect will be able to convince Al Gore that the czar energy position in his cabinet is a unique opportunity for him to set the country in the right direction in regard to energy. I wouldn't be surprised if Al Gore were to accept this challenge. It may not be as challenging as being president of the U.S. might have been, but he might actually be able to make a more profound, long-term impact on this country than being president would have been.

[AuntSally]

Sorry to burst your bubble Jacob, but I don't think you've been paying attention to either Obama or Gore...

1. Obama won't ask Gore to be 'Energy Czar' -- he's a lightning rod for the nutbags, and included in the calculus of each Obama pick is taking one more thing off the table for the hysterical right, not arming them up. My guess is, this is a big picture meeting for Obama, to help him set his course, and he'll likely ask Gore for Energy Czar and EPA suggestions.

2. Even if Obama were offering, Gore will not be accepting any government positions: he's having enormous impact from the private sector and, after eight years, has far too many conflicts of interest. It would be screamer of a headache for a man who doesn't need it. Further: Gore, in his own mind (along with many of us) believes he already won a Presidential election (if not the Presidency). He's got a Nobel Prize, a hundred million bucks, an Oscar and an Emmy: The Goracle is beyond government service at this point, save perhaps as some sort of special advisor or special envoy.

[Jayson F BA]

I hope your wrong. We would all benefit greatly if Mr. Gore re-entered into public service. We just lost 8 years and our running out of time, Gore could steer the country back into the right direction.

[SantaFeConservative]

Gore didn't do anything in the eight years previous to that either.

[AuntSally]

I agree Mr. Gore can be hugely effective, but one doesn't need to be in public service to play a major role in steering the country. Gore will continue to do critical work, and I personally believe he can be more effective outside of government than in.

There are many talented committed people that Obama can choose for energy and evironment positions, and I'm confident he will...

[luke150]

"Who's laughing?" I don't feel like laughing, the last 8 years are completely lost for the environment cause. Our children won't feel like laughing too.

[N2Sman]

For what has been done to our country over the past eight years Bush should be the subject of many books as "Gorgo The Destroyer of Worlds". And the Repug party should go into a decline and fall led by Sarah Palin all the way down.

[Danigirl65]

I've always been a fan of Gore's and I truly believe this would be a good post for Gore and Obama.