"Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world/Like a Colossus..." ~Shakespeare
Al Gore might not be the next Julius Caesar, but his influence over the Democratic Party at this point certainly parallels that of J.C. over the Roman Republic.
If Gore decides to run in 2008, Democratic voters have a counterbalance to their party's most visible current candidates: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards. More than any other candidate, Gore would remind the Democrats that they have "unfinished business" ... a reckoning with the Republicans after the Supreme Court decision Bush v. Gore gave the presidency to George W. Bush in 2000.
The Democratic debaters on Monday night realized this. Only Sen. Joe Biden responded to a two-person question sent from Murfreesboro in Gore's state of Tennessee.
"This here question's for all you candidates," the Volunteer State duo said. "Mainstream media seems awfully interested in old Al Gore these days. Is he losing weight? What's it say in his book? Is he still worried about all the ice? They interpret all these as signs that he may or may not run. They really want to know if Al Gore's going to run again. Yes. Well, what we want to know is does that hurt you-all's feelings?" (Biden said it hurt Tennesseans' feelings.)
Even if Gore does not run, he can relish in establishing an "electoral footprint" on the candidates. For they are sounding increasingly more liberal and less Republican-lite. Their comments reveal this. Clinton said that "we haven't really seriously addressed this incredibly important issue of global warming and energy efficiency."
Edwards told a different questioner that "We need to find fuels that are in fact renewable, clean, and will allow us to address directly the question that has been raised, which is the issue of global warming, which I believe is a crisis." And Obama's proposals ranged from exploring nuclear power to developing solar power to "drastically increasing fuel efficiency standards on cars."
Gore's heirs are sounding more faithful than Mark Antony ever did. Perhaps that sigh you just heard from Gore is one of contentment.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 6)
1. While my goal is similar to the overwhelming majority of my democratic brethern, I would not hesitate to vote for Al Gore. In my opinion, he is the one candidate who I think can unite all factions of the Democratic party behind the one clear objective for'08: take back the White House, increase the majority in both houses. A Gore-? ticket would do just that!
Walter H. at 2:09PM on Jul 25th 2007
2. Al Gore is our country and world's hope.
Time for a COOL change,
Gore
2008
LindainSFNM at 2:13PM on Jul 25th 2007
3. If Al Gore ran for president, a lot of people would vote for him and I am sure he would win.
Clinton and Obama are good canadates, now, but if Gore ran he would deafenatly win.
Janet Bozovsky at 2:24PM on Jul 25th 2007
4. Gore for president. Yes, I think he should run. He needs to get in the debate with the other demoratic runners. He (Gore would win hands down.)
Clinton and Obama are good canadicates now, if Gore does not run.
Janet Bozovsky at 2:28PM on Jul 25th 2007
5. Yes, there is unfinished business regarding Al Gore. I wish he would try again for the Presidency. I would vote for him without a second thought. Why? Because he is honorable, intelligent, accomplished, and respected by all the world's leaders. Al Gore would not let the Republican campaign managers get by with one ounce of "swift boat" activities. We need a new road to follow. With Al Gore we would believe again that our President cares.
J Philips at 2:30PM on Jul 25th 2007
6. The reality is, I think it is because of his position that he should NOT run for President. He has proven to be a tenacious and enigmatic spokesperson for the planet, but do you really think that would get him elected? He doesn't need the support of big business the way that Presidential candidates do - he can make declarations about global changes that need to be made without having to worry about which consituency it potential hurst and what the ramifications for his polling numebrs are. At some point, Gore will endorse a single candidate and that will probably be that candidates meal ticket to the Dem endorsement. Gore knows this and knows exactly how to use that to further his agenda, which is not to be PResident but to effect global change.
Bozz at 2:31PM on Jul 25th 2007
7. How about Gore / Clinton ticket that would get the country back on it's feet and headed in the right direction...!
Randy at 2:32PM on Jul 25th 2007
8. Al Gore is a far better candidate today than he was in 2000. For one thing I think the experiences of the last few years have increased his sense of self-confidence. I think that he is far better able to turn to an "advisor" today and say "Jack, thank you for your input, but I am inclined to follow my own view on this..." whereas in 2000 it appeared that he had a have a focus group about whether he should get out of the bed on either the left or right hand side...
I think he will enter the race in his own due course once some of the other candidates like Dodd and Biden have dropped out. Either might choose to endorse him as they leave the race in the hopes of a post in a future government. Biden, in particular, would make a decent Secretary of State... As for his running mate, I think a Gore - Obama ticket would be VERY attractive
Paul Harris at 3:24PM on Jul 25th 2007
9. Think about this. Gore beat Bush in 2000. If he ran in this election and got the Democratic nomination he would get all the votes he had in 2000 plus additional Independents and some disgrunteled Republicans. There's no way a Republican could beat him.
Warren at 3:28PM on Jul 25th 2007
10. I believe if Gore runs I don't feel Clinton would win, but put Gore and Clinton together that would be a power this country has not seen in years. This country is in such bad shape and we need a miracle and Gore and Clinton is just the ticket.God knows that Bush has been the worst president we have had thank God his time is almost up.
Valrie at 3:30PM on Jul 25th 2007
11. To put it lightly, we need Al Gore to run.
John at 3:40PM on Jul 25th 2007
12. Al Gore is the best hope for the USA and the world. He needs to run for President. The job is his for the taking!!! Even republicans would vote for him. A Gore / Richardson ticket would be unbeatable. If ever the country needed someone, it is now. If Gore does not run, he is a a pussy and does not deserve ever again, to be taken seriously on any issue of national importance.
Don James at 3:41PM on Jul 25th 2007
13. 7 years of a gangster in the Whitehouse have made the country move towards a crueler, more selfish, less equitable, less humane, less caring, less decent and more corporate control by the military industrial complex. Bin Laden has been left alone to foment more and more hatred against America. America has never been or thought to be as low as it has been under Bush/ Cheney / and other extremists. What a loss it has been for America because Gore was swindled out of the Presidency. I voted for him then and pray for him to run, now, to literally save America.
amerrescue at 3:42PM on Jul 25th 2007
14. Its about time liberals addresses the issues that the votes of their party want addressed.
PersonalJesus348 at 3:53PM on Jul 25th 2007
15. C'mon Al......WE NEED YOU DUDE!!!!!!! You HAD IT before...you were ROBBED!!! I know it, you know it, the whole freakin' country knows it! RUN and HELP US!!!!!
Dorothy at 4:04PM on Jul 25th 2007