Al de Gore?
Faced with intractable opposition to his plans for political reform, Charles de Gaulle retired in 1953 to his Colombey estate, wrote his wartime memoirs, maintained his contacts and awaited the crisis he knew would occur because of the inherent weakness of the Fourth Republic.
In 1958 it happened. Charles de Gaulle held a press conference to let the country know he was "at its disposal" and, just 10 days later, his offer was accepted. He won an election, extricated the country from its Algerian morass, forged the beginnings of a united Europe, righted a declining economy and won a referendum on a new Constitution establishing the Fifth Republic that survives to this day.
After a wretched "loss" in 2000 (consider how many different small matters had to go wrong -- the butterfly ballot, the purging of voting rolls and intimidation of black voters, the presence of Ralph Nader on the ballot, a Supreme Court committing the ultimate right wing activism, a decision specifically stating it was not to be precedent, and so on), Al Gore similarly left politics while maintaining his contacts. He wrote two books, won an Emmy Award, the Nobel Peace Prize, and produced an Oscar-winning film from a serious slide show on global warming.
Like Barack Obama, Gore was right about the Iraq War from the start. Although he patriotically kept silent for awhile about Bush being asleep-at-the-switch prior to 9/11 so the country could rally, he eventually called him out about that first instance of gross negligence and incompetence. When he was Vice President, with a broad national security portfolio (unlike Hillary, he actually HAD security clearance!), they caught the millennium terrorist who planned to blow up the LA Airport.
While many urged, pleaded, cajoled and even begged him to enter the 2008 Presidential primary race, he maintained that he was not "good at that stuff" (although none of the events that denied him his rightful victory were of his doing), and decided against it.
As the country blunders to the close of its most disastrous presidency ever, the stars should be aligning not just for a Democratic 2008 election victory, but, more importantly, to usher in another progressive age as the empty rhetoric, false idolatry, cowardly aggression and phony piety that was the culmination of all the right wing dreamed for this country came crashing down on all our heads.
And yet, the stars seem to misalign again. Out of a talented crowded field, two appealing, enormously well-funded candidates have emerged to lead that new progressive era. The electorate appears to be divided 50.1- 49.9, and the anomalies of superdelegates and unseated delegations jumble even that calculation. Regrettably -- that is, to the wide electorate who desperately wants only to turn the page -- neither is likely to desist.
The Clintons scored their comeback by launching a scorched earth strategy, specifically aligning themselves with McCain over Obama. While Obama will probably show his superior character, his inevitable counterattacks -- and, key questions that now must be raised by reporters and superdelegates on her taxes and White House records and Marc Rich, etc. -- are not likely to boost her chances in the fall election either.
The Democratic electorate is split. While 50.1% and 49.9% of the delegates and electorate will find it difficult for their candidate to retire in favor of the other, would it not be true that ~85% or more would enthusiastically embrace Al Gore?
Time for "Al de Gore" to "put himself at the disposal of his country"?
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
I would have said early such a scenario is not sense. However, if Obama doesn't close the deal and Hillary does freeze the superdelegates, I would like to see a Gore/Obama ticket. If the popular vote and elections don't count. Why not, Gore? He should have been the President in 2000.
I would love that to happen, but I think it is unrealistic. Right now I'm mainly just hoping for John McCain to flop because this democratic primary is turning into a disaster. The democratic party does NOT fall in line like republicans do so we can't afford this kind of mud slinging in our primary. The polls have shown the negatives of both candidates are climbing and the dissatisfaction with the alternative candidate is increasing. People are becoming less and less enthusiastic and more bitter with the rival side. Unless something incredibly fortunate happens or John McCain makes a big mistake I'm really started to fear we are again snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory.
America rejected Al Gore? America ELECTED Al Gore. To have him swoop in now like a superhero would be more than we deserve. As Ed Koch once said about the New Yorkers who did not re-elect him mayor: "and now you must be punished." Gore is the closest thing American has to a true statesman. He has image, freedom, and the world as a platform. Why he should he want to give up his power to be President?
That is the most well articulated and logical suggestion that I have read today, and hopefully Senator Obama is being properly advised to consider Vice President Al Gore. I am in awe of the class, dignity, and honor that Vice President Gore has shown throughout his years of public service, the years in the White House and perpetual Clinton scandals and lies, and then his "loss" to President Bush. And, without missing a beat, he emerged upbeat working on his environmental initiatives and private sector projects. I still cannot forgive Mrs. Gore for having my "Bugs Bunny cartoons" edited but I am adult enough to overcome that one shortcoming. I think the nation would be doubly blessed to have a statesman with the experience and credentials of Vice President Al Gore and a young man with the hope and energy of Senator Obama. Perhaps, Dr. Warren is right, when it seems darkest, God provides an avenue for deliverence, the republic needs patriots not profiteers in the guise of politicians.
"Patriotically kept quiet" - how is that serving your country and fellow man? "The presence of Ralph Nader" - Ralph did more to help than hinder Gore in '00 - get your facts straight! Where was Gore when Clinton bombed Iraq during the Lewinsky smokescreen? Where was Gore during the free trade agreements which not only hemmoraged domestic jobs, but also gave socially and morally irresponsible industries the license (and tax breaks) to pollute globally? I could go on...and on...and on...
Dear "tomemioli",
I suggest that you read the newest book by Mr. Woodward that clearly outlines how the Clinton's and their team headed by Mr. Carville derailed the campaign of Vice President Gore, and Senator Kerry. Furthermore, to answer your questions in regards to Ms. Lewinsky, Vice President Gore accepted President Clinton's assurance that he was innocent, and he was not allowed in the inner circle for NAFTA or Iraq; nonetheless, his dissenting policy papers are on file if you wish to take the time to properly research your position. And, finallly in regards to Vice President Gore's life long commitment to the environment, he wrote numerous policy papers on the issue, and tried to be heard, but was consistently rebuffed by President Clinton. I believe you are a passionate and intelligent person and it would be in your interest to be properly informed about who did what and for what purpose, for example, after leaving the White House, Vice President Gore has worked to build America, while President Clinton has worked as a lobbyist for foreign oil, industrial, mining, and related interests - the facts are out there just do the research. God Bless.
If people want to focus on the "old Al", there is plenty to critique---starting, really, with his farm growing tobacco even after his sister died of lung cancer.
I believe, however, that Al Gore was liberated by however you wish to describe the events that led to the Bush presidency. I see him as a person who has gotten back in touch with himself, is far more self-aware, and, frankly, does not have the political ambition that a Senatorial father must have instilled whether consciously or not.
Thus, I trust Al Gore not to be the Al Gore that was a created persona---by him--in order to achieve an end. Rather, he is who he is---and I like that meaning of the word "is".
For those who choose to perseverate on his pre-FLA persona, I have no argument.
I see him not as a different person, but one who has shed his created persona for the real Al Gore. I like that person. You may choose not to.
we should be so lucky.
we are beginning to look like the monkey f**king a football.
why would he want to associate himself with the likes of those running this party at this time.
those who have voted so far have made this mess. now they want Gore to clean it up.
I say, hillary and obama need to withdraw for the good of the party,
not be kicked out, but withdraw,
then, a gore, biden ticket would be just what the country would want.
remember, we don't need to appeal to the left as much as the middle.
Don't blame the voters. How can any one person know what their impact is going to be by their single vote?
We are where we are. I actually predicted a lot of this in early January if Obama won Iowa (this was before the Iowa caucuses), although I thought Edwards would stay in the race longer.
And, part of that prediction was that an Obama victory in Iowa would yield a Gore Presidency.
I do blame voters who don't look far enough down the road to see the possible outcomes.
Do you have a prediction of how we can extricate ourselves from this crapper?
Unfortunately, that would be about 85% more than Al "One Senator" Gore himself.
If the Florida delegates were seated today, Hillary would remain behind Obama in pledged delegate count.
Without Florida, Hillary cannot surpass Obama in pledged delegates, based on the fact that she rarely obtains 60% of the vote in any one state. To equal Obama in pledged delegates would require Hillary to consistently win 62% of the delegates in the remaining states. That will not happen.
Hillary significantly trails Obama in the popular vote.
Gore would be a wonderful choice for president with Obama as his VP. However, that is unnecessary. The Democratic Party is not experiencing a tie in the pledged delegate count between Hillary and Obama.
The most important question is not whether Al should jump in. The questions is why is Hillary determined to delay the start of the Democrats general election bid when she cannot hope to equal Obama's pledged delegate count.
If Hillary tries to overturn the pledged delegate count with super delegates, what would be the result? The Democrats would lose a significant portion of the African American vote come November, and potentially for years to come. The Democratic Party would also lose a portion, possibly a significant portion, of the educated white vote who has been supporting Obama and would rightly believe that their vote was being stolen. Further, Hillary would draw more anti-Democrat Republicans to the polls in November than even McCain would, because of that party's pathological hatred of all things Clinton, negatively affecting all down ticket Democrats.
Some things to consider.
"If Hillary tries to overturn the pledged delegate count with super delegates, what would be the result?"
There's an alternative to voting for Obama or Hillary. The superdelegates themselves are free to vote for whoever the want. We should start petition drives asking them to support Al Gore on the first ballot. If no candidate wins a majority on the first ballot, then all the delegates are free and the convention is thrown wide open. If Obama and Clinton cannot come to a deal, then the only way to save this year is to draft Gore. If either Obama or Clinton is the nominee without the other in the ticket, too many Democrats (still fooled that either Obama or Clinton is anything other than DLC) will pick up their marbles and go home.
Oh, please someone else take this idea seriously.
Having Gore become President after the election was stolen from him by Team Bush and the Supreme Court would be a true act of healing.
There are already "Draft Al Gore" websites. I am begging one of you: start it up again.
While it's true that "she can't catch up to him in delegates" etc., it's way too close for comfort and there are too many people who will be mortally insulted.
The question is, does America deserve Al Gore? After showing blatant stupidity in electing, then re-electing George W. Bush, has the country paid enough penance to bring a true statesman out of political retirement and into the power of office? That would be a true miracle - and one we're not likely to see - because the Democrats would literally have to crawl to Gore on hands and knees to have a chance at talking him into running. I think Gore is simply fed up with the whole process and is enjoying life as an environmental celebrity. Our loss.
I could just weep.
Cogito, erGO GORE.
It's not too late.
I have been saying this for some time. Not only should Al Gore put himself at the disposal of his party, he should choose Obama as his running mate. This would be an unbeatable ticket.
From the very beginning of this process I was for John Edwards for 2 reasons:
1. He was the first candidate since Robert Kennedy who spoke out for the poor in this country and made poverty the heart of his campaign.
2. More importantly, he was certain to defeat any republican in November. Although I sincerely hope that a black man and woman someday become president, I am not SURE that the country is ready for this. If this was a normal election year I would believe that it is worth the chance. However, this criminal presidency has done more damage to this country in the past 7 years than even I believed possible. We simply cannot permit a republican to follow bush into the White House. To do so would certainly doom our nation. This is not gloom and doom; looking at the state our union from any perspective it is indisputable that we are facing the greatest crisis in the past 75 years.
I do not know if Al Gore can rectify the damage done to our country and restore our dignity and place among the other nations of the world-a place that many people gave their life to establish. But I believe that no one would have a better chance, and most importantly, the country would want to right the wrong done to Gore in 2000.
Is anyone paying attention?
Gore/Edwards
gore plus anybody but obama/clinton
I don't know if he could rectify the damage either, but I believe he could come closer than anyone else will come. I hope that attention is being paid.
obama is as damaged as hillary at this point. he needs to withdraw along with hillary, for the better of the party.
let him age a few years and see if he is still vital.
Hillary Clinton is NOT a progressive. Both she and Bill Clinton have made an art form out of talking sweet to progressives but doing business with the wealthy and powerful. Al Gore could have easily taken the primary season if he had chosen to..... I hope that he reconsiders, if this stalemate cannot be brokered before the convention.
While I agree several of Clinton's policies were reich-lite, I also recall that thugs like Bob Barr were publicly annoucing his (their) intent to impeach Clinton even before he took the oath of office. Also recall that Clinton won with less than 50% of the vote, he had to walk a fine line. And in the first federal election with Clinton as president, democrats lost heavily across the nation.
Senator Clinton tried to get a progressive healthcare system for the nation. Her plan was soundly defeated by rethugs and Pelosi/Reid democrats.
When you talk, try knowing what you're talking about.
here here, thanks for the duly needed correction of facts.
It's a great idea. But seriously, could you imagine Clinton or Obama saying, "Oh, Al's in?!? OK, I'll just go home then...."
I honestly don't think Obama would have a problem with it and I could see him even agreeing to VP. Hillary Clinton would be another story. Al Gore and Bill Clinton have some "complicated" history together.
Sorry. You missed your chance. America rejected him, and now when we have an opportunity to learn from our mistakes, we again choose not to. After 7 years of watching republicans follow blindly and drag us along for the ride, it is apparently now our turn to follow blindly.
I cannot agree that America reject Al Gore.
51.0 million Americans voted for Gore.
50.5 million Americans voted for George.
America rejected BUSH! And does so now more than ever.
In the end, the only vote that mattered was ONE, on the Supreme Court.
We did not reject him. And we would welcome him back.
we did not reject him, but those who went over to nader did.
We know that there are no candidates on the field right now. There's the one that's going to win because the voting-machines will be programmed that way, and there will be the two ("black man, white woman," how original is that?) who will flame-out against each other and lose. Nowhere to be found is the national leadership that this country now requires.
But is Al Gore willing to be that leader now... and why should he be bothered to step up to that plate now?
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
