OT: DU is at it again re: Al Gore.

[ginnyinWI]

Al Gore, Al Gore, Al Gore! I don't need to tell you, he's all over the main forums. Now I like Al Gore a lot, but I'm not going to put on a tin foil hat and believe that he's secretly planning a run, will wait until the last minute, etc. etc. Come on now--if he said he's not planning to run, and has no interest in running--why can't the lefty loonies at DU just believe him.

JK said he isn't running, and we all believed him, much as we hated to. We aren't harboring dreams of a secret plan to announce and run at the last minute. (are we?)

I guess it shows some of the desperate feelings of some people on the left. But it's sad to see it; they aren't much more realistic than the crazies on the right. We have to choose from the most honest and capable person out there who is actually running for the nomination. The Al Gore they are worshipping probably doesn't even exist, in reality.

[wisteria]

1. I like Gore too.

However, I think he likes all this attention and is playing games of sort. Unfortunately, until he is says it straight out- I am not running in 2008, this speculation will continue. It is good for the promotion of his video and cause.

[Mass]

3. He said so, and the speculation continues.

In my opinion, it is due to the lack of interest many people have in the 08 contendents. Nearly 50 % are saying Hillary. There is no way Hillary inspires people this way. So, I take it as a sign that the other people do not satisfy people.

I know I would love Gore to run, because, compared to those who run, he is one head above. But he said clearly yesterday he will not run (or at least it should be clear to those who remember how he announced he would not run in 2003).

I think Elias has it best, as often:

http://chimesatmidnight.blogspot.com/2007/02/al-gore-uber-alles.html

Al Gore Uber Alles
The Former Vice President, wins an Osar for Best Feature Length Documentary at last night's Academy Awards.
Even as I write this, there are activists with no small amount of organizational muscle and money who are staking all on a last ditch attempt to tempt Gore into running for President in '08.
There is out there, the annual democratic disillsionment with the current field concurrent with the eternal hope of someone from out Neverland who can unite the party and smite the GOP.

Alas Gore may not be interested and if Lieberman does jump to the GOP then there will be some hard questions asked about the former VP's judgement out on the campaign trail...to say nothing of the baying hounds of the DC Punditariat.

[karynnj]

2. To be fair, there is a difference

Kerry for 2 years could be almost assumed to be running. He had money, people and a better developed platform than anyone. Somethings, like everything he did in 2006, could be seen as doing what he saw needed to be done to regain some power. Others like the Faneuil Hall speeches have to be seen as setting a foundation for 2008 - although as it is they exist as Kerry baring his soul. These speeches will be the strongest foundation anyone ever had running for Senate now.

With Gore, there have been many people asking him to run and much media behind a run. Gore has consistently said "NO". The problem is the lefties think he is Clinton and parsing his words. (ie he said he is not running - but that is present tense - and doesn't rule out running tomorrow or next week.) Also, Gore is in the position where he might look at the field and like us find them all lacking and also see that he has support and jump in. (If Kerry were in that position, I would bet he would jump in.) I suspect that if he were going to do this, it might have happened shortly after Kerry said he wasn't running - which would let him get some of the Kerry people and likely win a significant portion of the Kerry supporters in addition to his own.

[wildflowergardener]

4. Gore

I think this is different. Kerry gave a speech where he announced he has decided not to run.

I do hope Gore decides to run, and if enough public support will get him to run. This is partly that I don't really like any of the other candidates enough to fully support them.

Kerry and Gore were always my first two choices. I have been forced to give up on Kerry, but still hope for Gore, so that I can have someone whole-heartedly to support.

Even if it's a longshot, I still hope, just as I did with Kerry. I just finished watching an Inconvenient Truth again last night and makes me wish for it even more.

Meg

[ginnyinWI]

7. It is a longshot--not impossible but improbable

I think people do keep hoping for the reason you gave: they just don't really like any of the other candidates. If we had a new Howard Dean out there right now, Gore would be set aside. Gore has credibility--something the other candidates lack in varying degrees.

It's such a shame that it is so hard to get into the running: you have to have lots of cash and lots of friends willing to put up large amounts of money. Honesty and integrity have little to do with it, as long as you can seem honest. Sigh. With Kerry I believe we had a really honest guy; I know this because I "tested" him for over a year, watching closely for signs of phoniness--and could detect none. Since the election he's stayed the same person, with the same values, so I know he's the real deal. I wish I could say the same for one of our new candidates. Maybe in time I will be able to.

[whometense]

5. I thought this quote I read on Salon

this morning was telling:

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2007/02/23/carter/index.html

Carter says he has "put so much pressure on Al to run that he's almost gotten aggravated with me." The last time the two men talked, Carter says, Gore "almost told me ... 'Don't call me anymore.'"

[ProSense]

6. Very telling! n/t