What About It, Al?

I know it's not a great job. And I know you didn't like it the first time. But that was because of Bill and Hill. They won't be there. I will.

Here's the deal: we'll redefine the job. I know, I know -- everyone says this, but I mean it. I'll throw every power in my possession behind you and together we'll attack global warming, save the environment, and create a twenty-first century energy policy. We'll be partners in every way.

In return, you'll be vice president of the United States and everything I need in a running mate:

You're white.

You're experienced.

You're older than I am and younger than John McCain.

You're qualified to be president, and yet I have no fear of being upstaged by you.

You were right on Iraq.

You're from the South.

You have an Oscar, an Emmy and a Nobel Prize.

And more than any politician, you're an exemplar of change because you changed yourself.

What about it, Al?

Comments

[Sciguy]

I'd hate to see Al Gore as Veep, because he's done such a fantastic job since he left politics. He has a gift, but it just plain doesn't show well in the shade.

[opines]

The two issues most pressing needs to be addressed by the next Administration are:

1) ending the war in Iraq
2) policies to address the threat of global warming

An Obama/Gore ticket, with Gore assigned the global warming task, would send a signal that the U.S. is again fit to lead.

If assured of the support of the Oval Office, Gore might see it as an opportunity to turn his lectures on the threat into policy.

It would be an offer he would find hard to refuse.

[Mariel]

Some of us think global warming is caused largely by the sun, which is doing such things as heating the core, encouraging volcanoes such as those under the Arctic ice. We do not think Gore's version is primarily correct, although it could have a minor effect. Use of corn to make ethanol is contributing to food shortages; some say it's a major cause.

There are so many better candidates for VP. Why Gore? He would have been much better than Bush, and the election was stolen by the compromised Supremes, but that was then. This is now.

[oxygen]

fortunately as it is for the rest of us - people like you will not have to wonder about such matters as there is a limited supply of fossil fuels of which to burn up - so why don't you enlighten us to the post fossil fuel age, how it will come about, how you think a smooth transition should work - how we'll live and survive - please - you want to sound like a scientist who has some knowledge the rest of us don't have ... tell us how much more fuel is left and that you have calculated it can all be burned safely with no effects on any ecological or biological I should say systems in the macro sense
be a responsible and comprehensively accurate scientist

comments about top soil and population control will give you extra points
try not to have any disclaimers like you put into your first statement

[GeorgeKaplan]

Gore has no version except the one that most scientists agree with.... most say.

[leopoldmozart]

"...global warming is caused largely by the sun, which is doing such things as heating the core, encouraging volcanoes such as those under the Arctic ice."

Just in case someone uses you as a lifeline on a game show, you should know that the heating of the earth's core and volcanoes are caused by the radioactive decay of metals like uranium, thorium, and potassium 40. (Wikipedia "geothermal (geology)" and read citation #3 from Lawrence Livermore) Lot's of energy in those nuclear isotopes.

[GeorgeKaplan]

This is one crazy idea. Not going to happen. Would not work if it did. And why would Al want to be VP?

[BatedBreath]

Why would any sane man run for vice president if he had a wonderfully full and rewarding life doing something else?

[Bademus]

I think Al Gore would be great on the ticket. I doubt he would be interested though. He should have been president. That election was stolen and our country has suffered greatly under Bush. I don't think Gore would want to go back to being VP.

[hunterjond]

I'm throwing this out for comment, both pro and con. Should Barack Obama consider Colin Powell as a VP running mate?

[iheardthisbefore]

funny, this seems to be your first and only posting at HuffPo.......
you want a comment.....okay......
Colin Powell is a moderate Republican who was badly used by the
current administration.....he was no Madeleine Albright, but was a
good choice by Bush.....and just look at what is in the post he vacated....

Vice Prez?........never happen.......
good luck to you.....

[BatedBreath]

Are you from the U.S. hunter?

[Yaa]

Absolutely not!

Asking any republican, even Colin Powell, to be his vice president would be foolhardy especially when there are so very many qualified democratic politicians ready, willing and able to fill the spot.

[doneflyin]

NO, A THOUSAND TIMES, NO!!!!!

Yes, I know I'm shouting and that's just what I want to do.

Colin Powell was complicit in selling us the Bush WMD propaganda and the Iraq war.
He knew it was all bullshit but went in front of the UN anyway with his little bottles and vials.

He could have been great. He allowed himself to be used up and kicked to the curb.

Colin Powell---There is no there there.

[leopoldmozart]

Colin Powell would be a great "wartime consiglieri", but that's not what we need right now. We need a guy who is going to start (in Al Franken's words) an Apollo project of alternative energy. That is our most pressing economic AND military need. To redraw our energy paradigm requires an influential, credible, and powerful person with full access to the president and the workings of government. I say Gore for VP!!

[NotMcCain]

Gore was a "Yes" man during the difficult Clinton years. He's paid his political dues and was left with nothing to show for it but a more difficult campaign in 2000.

Gore has respect now, and an issue to fight for. Why would he want to go back to being VP? Why would we need him to be VP? He was a complete nonentity during the most exciting campaign in US history. Why on earth would he be Obama's #1 choice for VP?

And he still is one of the most boring extemporaneous speakers the Democrats have got. Obama doesn't NEED someone holding his hand. He's plenty capable without a nursemaid.

Let Gore be Gore--and Obama be President. I think he'll be a great one.

[leopoldmozart]

"...he still is one of the most boring extemporaneous speakers the Democrats have got. "

He has improved immensely in the last 10 years. And, in terms of prepared speeches, haven't you seen his blistering critiques of Bush's presidency?? Holy cow!! The most scathing political invective I've ever seen or read.

[eemilla]

I do believe that Al Gore will play a role within the administration, but the VP is not the correct place. I don't believe that Mr. Gore would accept the position if offered, and it seems unlikely that Mr. Obama would make the offer.

[LawrenceL]

If *you* were V.P. for eight years, would *you* want to be V.P again?

I didn't thik so.

Gore has some role to play in Obama's administration. Maybe U.N. Ambassador. Maybe EPA Secretary (with teeth!). Maybe make him the US Energy Policy Czar.

[Wilburrr]

Gore would be 'too old' to run for Prez in 2016. Democrats should look ahead to that race and select a candidate accordingly.

[batbird]

Al will only be 68 in 2012. 68 is not too old. Look at McCain he's 73. If AL chooses not to run again in 2012 the Democrats will have another field of excellent choices on the stage. Don't you worry.

[NotMcCain]

McSame is 71. He'd be 72 when he took office (God forbid).

[SShaw490]

I'm afraid that most Americans think Global Warming is a hoax, and every time they think of Al Gore, they think of Global Warming.

Bad idea.

Pick Biden. He's clearly the best choice.

[Marlyn]

Ridiculous

[Mecklen]

Gore is a mediocre campaigner and would add little or nothing to Obama's vote total. Gore couldn't even carry his home state of Tennessee. Let him continue to do his global warming thing - it's what he's great at.
As veep he'd energize the thugs even more than Hilary.

[bluehorizon]

I'm tired of this Al Gore for VP bullshit. First of all, Gore was already a VP. Remember?? Next, he would totally diiminish and outshine Obama at the top of the ticket. Just look at the comments below: "Gore should be at the top, and Obama should be VP" etc. Why would Obama pick someone who would make him look inadequate? Get real. Obama needs someone with far less notoriety. He's the show, not his VP. By this logic, he should also NOT consider Hillary. Biden, Reed, Kaine, Nunn would all be good picks.

[NotMcCain]

I don't think he'd -actually- outshine him. "Outshine" is not exactly a word for Gore's plodding style on the campaign trail.

But I agree that he'd give Republicans an opening to say, "Obama's not experienced enough so he's got Gore to take care of him."

No. Gore.

Obama's smarter than Gore, better educated than Gore, and a helluva lot better and more inspirational political leader than Gore.

Obama doesn't need a nursemaid. He'll be a terrific president with WHOMEVER he picks (Not. Gore.)

[bluehorizon]

You make a good point. Your post was actually was I was trying to say. Having Gore as a VP was give folks the impressions that Obama needs him to hold his hand and tell him how to run the country, which would consequently diminish Obama's presidency.