Daily Kos: Obama should pick Al Gore as VP

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

The Obama team has surely already tasked some staffers with quietly assembling a list and basic research on probably a couple hundred possible choices for Vice President. At some point after Clinton has acknowledged that she won't be the nominee and he shifts entirely in to general election mode, Obama will name a chair of his VP search committee. I'm confident that person will do a good job. But here's a suggestion I hope the Obama campaign is already considering:

Save the time on the VP search committee. Barack Obama should ask Al Gore to be his running mate.

Read more here:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/5/18/174758/308/728/517952

[anonymous171]

1. In before Gore supporter shitstorm

[Warren DeMontague]

29. What's a "Gore supporter shitstorm"? I've been a "Gore Supporter" for a long time

I'm also an Obama Supporter. I will freely admit that, like many here on DU, Al Gore was always my first choice for this year.

If Obama were to put him on the ticket- and, more importantly, could convince him to do it- I think it would be brilliant.

[anonymous171]

34. I'm talking about all those "Gore for President" and "Draft Gore" holdouts

That get super-angry whenever you mention Gore being anything but President.

[mckeown1128]

36. Yeah I wrote a post a few months back saying that Gore

should be Obama's veep.... I was ripped a new one.

[anonymous171]

37. Happens to all of us.

Gore would probably overshadow Obama anyways.

[lildreamer316]

38. Sorry for posting Mr. Gore's OWN WORDS saying he would take nothing but the POTUS..

My bad.

If you would like the link again; I will be glad to provide it.

As a Gore supporter, I would be fine with him on any position on the ticket.But the man himself has said he will not take anything but President. Why is that such a problem to understand?

[anonymous171]

40. I know he doesn't want anything but the POTUS and that's cool.

I was talking about the flame wars that start whenever someone posts comments saying "Gore should be given a cabinet position in an Obama administration" or similar.

[Warren DeMontague]

44. Eh. The man made it pretty clear he didn't want to do it.

I strongly suspect he's backing Obama.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. But does Gore WANT to be VP - again?

I'm guessing not so much.

[Colobo]

4. Exactly. Not going to happen,

[Gore1FL]

3. It would be kick ass if he did and Gore accepted

but I am not holding my breath.

[TheDoorbellRang]

10. That's where I'm at, too.

It would be a perfect ticket, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

[KoKo]

55. Why would Gore want to be a VP to someone so junior to him in stature and experience?

Ridiculous...if you think carefully about it. Gore has moved out of politics now. He's his own person with his own influence that goes beyond being a second banana. Obama should pick someone who complements the ticket and he will.

[lastliberalintexas]

62. That was my first thought as well

That's not a knock against Obama, it just speaks to the incredible qualifications Gore holds.

[TheDoorbellRang]

63. An appeal to Gore to serve might just work. It worked on Eisenhower

I think we all believe here that a democratic win this fall is not only essential for this country's survival as a democracy, but perhaps the health of the entire globe. I would guess Gore believes this also. Who better to ensure a dem win than Gore on the ticket? He may not want to run but might be persuaded, as was Eisenhower who definitely did not want to run for president and was talked into it twice (and a good thing, too!).

As I said, I'm not holding my breath on this one. The reasons are legion why he would not, but I think the man who wrote "The Assault on Reason" feels passionately enough about our dire straits that he might be persuaded.

[saltpoint]

5. Al Gore has put some distance between himself and that job but at the

same time that isn't to say that he isn't wildly and deeply qualified to fill it.

And if that worthless nincompoop Mike Huckabee is McCain's veep nom, just ask me if I'm tuning in to the vice presidential debate.

[rusty quoin]

6. I can't see it.

[ErinBerin84]

7. I don't think that would happen in a million years.

But I would LOVE to know who is on the list of VP possibilities of a couple hundred people! That's a huge list.

[calmblueocean]

8. It would be a fantastic ticket, for more reasons than the author even mentions...

... for one, it would help appeal to a number of Hillary supporters by bridging the gap between the economic successes of the Clinton/Gore years, and today.

But Gore's been quite clear that he's not interested in anything other than the top office if he ever runs again. It won't happen, but it is, frankly, the best ticket I can think of.

[movonne]

20. Unless he would do it to insure a victory...he could be the environmental

vice-president..that way he could keep doing the work he is doing right now..

[OzarkDem]

9. That would be an insult to Gore

but I'm not surprised Obama supporters are pushing it. They don't seem to have any concept of treating other Dem leaders with respect. How does this square with all the attacks Obama supporters made claiming failure of the Clinton-Gore administration?

[Gore1FL]

15. I wonder who Gore will vote for as a SD.

I think his vote might depress you.

[Renaissance Man]

17. An insult to Gore?

Are you serious? Al Gore represents what America should have been over the course of the last eight years, and what was taken from America by the Supreme Court.

If anything, this would complement the good decisions that Sen. Obama has already made and the team that has surrounded him. If Gore wouldn't be a VP candidate, I would love for Sen. Obama to appoint him as an energy/environmental czar so that we could get a two-fer and start making some measurable changes to make us energy independent and work on solving some environmental issues.

[movonne]

24. I believe that Gore and other powerful people were always behind

him..I think they want this country to go in a new direction and they found the man to do it...just a thought..

[Warren DeMontague]

28. Pffffft. How typical of a Hillary supporter to presume to speak for someone like Al Gore.

You DO realize there's no love lost between Him and Hillary, right?

Oh, and by the way, before I was an "Obama supporter" I was a Gore Supporter. He was always my first choice for this year.

[NJSecularist]

11. Why would Gore be second in command to a lightweight with no accomplishments like Obama?

That is, quite frankly, insulting to Gore.

[BlooInBloo]

12. It would be awesome, but it relies on the assumption that Gore would take it...

which the poster doesn't even bother to argue for.

[ccharles000]

13. I believe he does not want to be a politician anymore.

[grasswire]

14. Kos is nuts.

Why in hell would Gore do that?

Even to suggest it is demeaning and an insult to Gore.

Geez. Some people.

[Seabiscuit]

41. Damned straight.

I think even Obama knows enough not to insult Gore that way.

[Catch22Dem]

16. Gore is above the office (n/t)

[anigbrowl]

18. Shit! Shit! Kos is waiting and I can't think of an original story for today! Oh, wait - Gore as VP w

This idea has been floating around for months and months. I'm not against it but this Kos writer doesn't really have anything new to suggest.

[BearSquirrel2]

19. If he didn't want to be president ...

If he didn't want to run for a shoe in nomination as President, why would he accept the VP post.

Now, he WOULD make a kick ass chief of staff to jump start the administration. Then he could walk away after a couple of years.

[Catherine Vincent]

21. He was Veep for 8 years already.

It would be beneath him. No way.

[Cha]

22. Actually, DHinMI makes

a pretty case for Gore. It would be a whole other ball game working with someone who is trying to do the best for our country.

But, Gore wouldn't want to put Obama and the country through the m$$$fm's rehashing of Gore.

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

30. He would be the best person for the job

DHinMI makes the case for that

[elocs]

23. Why, why on earth would Al Gore ever want to be vice president--again?

He has found his life's calling in his battle against global warming and he is working to help save this very planet. He has grown far beyond the petty politics of this country. Yes, his is still an important voice but I no longer expect him to be involved in politics or tied to its limitations. He will never be a political candidate again.

[WillyT]

25. I Have The Perfect Solution...

Put Gore in charge of the VP selection team.

If he pulls a Cheney and selects himself, fine.

But he would be most qualified to help select the right person other than himself.

Discuss.

:shrug:

[marlakay]

46. I agree let him pick...

I had this silly idea that Gore could be VP for just 4 yrs to get obama elected then second term obama could pick someone else. during that time as VP gore gets to do whatever he wants for the environment, like a special agency that he alone is in charge of...

that way obama can concentrate on war and healthcare and economy.

[AZBlue]

26. He won't take it. He's got a different job now. One that can't be limited by politics.

And I admire and respect him greatly for it.

[MagickMuffin]

27. Been There, Done That, Been There Don't Wanna Go Back

Brian Eno: Lyrics

I Was Dreaming
It's a Hundred and Ninety Degrees
We Were Crawling Around On Our Knees
Till the Sun Came Up At Quarter to Three
But the Time We Had
Dirty Clothes and Dirt On Our Walls
Swinging On the Bathroom Doors
Thinking We Were Having a Ball
Until Somebody Said They'd

Been There, Done That
Been There, Don't Wanna Go Back
Been There, Done That
Been There, Don't Wanna Go Back

Yesterday I Called You On the Telephone
To Tell You I Was Feeling Alone
Where You Been For the Last Few Days?
I Want You Back
Put My Feet Back On the Ground
I Don't Need the Lost and Found
I Need Somebody to Tell Me When I've

Been There, Done That
Been There, Don't Wanna Go Back
Been There, Done That
Been There, Don't Wanna Go Back

A Broken Heart
Won't Get You Much Further Than a Cold Heart
We're Getting, Getting Better, We're Running Back
Running Back, Back to You and I'm Feeling That
You're the Money Or the Good Times
When I've Been There...

[ovidsen]

31. Ain't gonna happen... political pragmatism

Don't get me wrong. I like and respect Gore.

But there are too many people who hate him. Over the Nobel Prize they say he didn't deserve. Over his obsession (theirs, not mine) over global warming. His use of private jets (and his detractors may have a point here) when he could fly coach, like all of us other worms, or at least fly first class. He still flies in fuel guzzling corporate jets that leave Godzilla sized global footprints compared to commercial aircraft.

He's suffering from the Hillary syndrome. They're both good, strong, influential people with leadership skills most of us can just stand in awe of as we look at them. But for whatever reason, there's a substantial number of Americans who think Senator Clinton and former Vice President Gore are pond scum. I disagree with them.

But you can't (without intense effort) change welded-shut closed minds.

Whether it's Senator Clinton or Senator Obama who wins the nomonation, they must be very careful about their running mate choice. They can't afford to make McGovern's Eagleton mistake in 1972, or anything close to it.

[woolldog]

32. Why would Gore want to be VP again?

That's crazy talk.

[cloudythescribbler]

33. what an assinine notion! nt

[knixphan]

35. Why don't we let Al Gore

decide what is or isn't 'beneath him?'

[lildreamer316]

39. But he already has.

Has stated publicly that he will not take any position but that of the President.

[knixphan]

58. Oh! Didn't know that -

Well then! That issue's settled :)

[lildreamer316]

64. Unfortunately.

At this point, I'd be glad for him to be in any influencing position. But I have to trust he know's what he's doing.

[Raine]

42. Gore's been there and done that and I'm sure he wouldn't

do it again. I think he would be great to run with Obama but I just can't see him settling for second place again.

[Eurobabe]

43. He.Doesn't.WANT.the.Job.

Christ on stick, what part of NO don't some people understand?

And to be VP again after winning the presidency?

That suggestion will go over like a lead balloon. :eyes:

[rove karl rove]

45. if anything it ought to be Gore/Obama n/t

[Eurobabe]

47. that won't happen either. n/t

[mmonk]

48. He intends to help heal the party for 08 but as VP is dreaming.

[my3boyz]

49. Always a bridesmaid and never a bride...not gonna happen. nt

[davidpdx]

50. I doubt it would happen

and he doesn't want it anyway. He's much happier doing what he is doing now.

[sfam]

51. This sounds like a fantasy football player choosing a fantasy VP...

Yeah, I'm sure Gore shows up well in the various state categories - he really fills the bracket in fact. But this is not fantasy politics. And Gore will not agree to it, nor should Obama ask. Picking Gore as VP diminishes both Gore AND Obama, who runs the risk of looking lessor than his VP choice.

Don't get me wrong - he's a great fantasy pick, but I'm hoping Obama picks based on reality.

[Galway girl]

52. Don't agree ..Gore didn't endorse him so no way in my opinion ...I like Richardson for the Hispanic

Vote

[Czolgosz]

53. No question that Gore would be best, but I can't see him being interested in the job.

[stratomagi]

54. Agreed.

Why would he want to play 2nd fiddle a 2nd time? Besides he's accomplished far more where he's at right now.

[WinkyDink]

56. This punch-line fails miserably.

[madrchsod]

57. never going to happen

AL has more important things to do with the rest of his life.

[GoesTo11]

59. Obama could make it worth Gore's while, and his own.

If Obama has the humility to recognize Gore's vast experience and expertise, and if Gore has the humility to recognize Obama's ability to inspire, then Gore could have a great role.

Obama could use Gore seriously as an advisor who knows how the presidency works, who knows the international poltical scene, and who knows about the issues facing the country. The two of them seem to share a lot of vision and have a lot of vision. There's no shame for Obama in recognizing that Gore has a lot going for him. Then give Gore a portfolio of responsibilities that really do use his unique capability (Environment is the obvious area, but also some diplomacy, some economics, etc.) This would make the Obama presidency more successful. And why wouldn't Obama want that?

What's in it for Gore? Well, what could Obama offer that would make it worthwhile for Gore? Gore would have no interest being there as window dressing. But Gore has nothing left to prove, and would want to have an impact on the world. Obama could give him a role where Gore does have more impact on the world.

If the two of them can work it out right, this could be great. Would probably help in the election too, with regard to the experience tag.

[Neshanic]

60. I thought change meant something. Hillary no. Gore no. Edwards no.

I am a Gore supporter from day one, but if Obama supporters want that "change" thingy to be real, it does not mean going to the temple of lost campaigns for your person.

There is no other human capable of helping him win the WH that is not a republican(Hagel)or just all around intelligent, well known, and not from a past losing presidential election?

[DemGa]

61. The "Kossaks" must be all aflutter over this idea!