"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 3 of 6)
31. I love politics. I'm passionate about the electoral process. The truth is, it never really matters who we elect for President. The President is a "figure-head" - that's never been more true than it is now. A very select, powerful, mega-wealthy group of people...primarily, in the 'private' sector...really run this country.
They allow us to have our little elections to appease us and make us feel we have any say in anything.
Nevertheless, I'll get just as excited as the campaigns heat up, as I always do, while the real "good ol' boys' club looks down from on high and just smiles at our naivete.
E Han at 9:46PM on Jul 25th 2007
32. Why compare Al Gore to Julius Caesar? Gore is fighting for reason, balance and our democracy. George W is better compared to the dictator responsible for destroying the Roman Republic. I sincerely hope he decides to run.
Nina Serros at 9:56PM on Jul 25th 2007
33. Yes - Al Gore for President. Let's finish the job he should have had 8 years ago.
BJM1952 at 10:10PM on Jul 25th 2007
34. Al Gore. Would be President if he could have carried his own state. His family made millions from the coal industry. It is easy to be be against global warming once you have made millions raping the land. Al if your are serious about global warming give those millions back your family made from Island Creek Coal Company, cool this country down.
Tom at 10:47PM on Jul 25th 2007
35. You go Gore, We NEED YOU!!! NOW!!! We Need your wife too!!!
Lorraine at 12:03AM on Jul 26th 2007
36. AL Gore needs to stand up and take the seat of President.
Will the real President please stand up!!!!!!
Time for a Cool Change
Will
Will at 1:32AM on Jul 26th 2007
37. I feel Gore had his election stolen from him in 2000......9/11 was a World War II reinactment, Roosevelt kicked out the Japanese two weeks prior, built an oil embargo around Japan, knowing they would attack the closest US owned Island, cut off communications between Pearl Harbor and the US and sent the WWII ships out on manuevers and left the WWI ships at port to be destroyed getting the US in the war....Now I'm Not saying we shouldn't have beaten Hitler but this 911 is history repeating itself....We need Gore to change the way we think about evil politicians that steal, kill and lie.......save us!!!
Howard Bernstein at 3:02PM on Jul 26th 2007
38. Al Gore? C'mon, they counted and recounted, and recounted, and recounted the Florida votes in 2000.
Never, did Al Gore win any of the counts. He is the one who tried to steal the Presidency from George Bush. Should Al ever become President, he would spend billions of wasted dollars on global warming just when the world is entering the curve where we are going to see an "ice age". The world knows how to correct itself weather-wise.
Rich at 3:56PM on Jul 26th 2007
39. If you think that Al Gore is so good, please answer these three questions.
1. Is there really Global Warming?
2. Are human beings responsible for Global Warming?
3. Are you willing to pay taxes to some World Government to decide what to do about it?
The answer to the first two questions are opinion. The answer to the last question is directed toward what are you willing to do about it........
John Broad at 12:29PM on Jul 27th 2007
40. AL Gore, is the best hope for change in the usa, 8 years of republican rule is killing this country, there are so many things wrong from global-warming- health care reform, our country veterens need someone to fix the problem with there not getting the benifits they should get, then there are problems with social sercurity, disabled people are being denied there benifits so many are dieing before they get the medical treatment they need. Are we better off today than when Clinton and Gore ran this country, no so many people have suffered under bush it is time for a real change in this country. We need you Al we also need Bill as vice President.
baklee at 12:51PM on Jul 27th 2007
41. I know there are those who think Mr. Gore is more effective as a free agent spokesman outside of the political system but I disagree. The best opinion on this that I have read is Michael Yatik's column in the San Francisco Journal. Read it. If Mr. Gore is really serious about global warming, he will have to run for president. The only way to really effect the massive changes that are going to be needed is from the inside.
My only concern is whether my country has the determination and discipline to insist on Mr. Gore as the democratic nominee. I fear we have become too complacent.
Plain Jane at 6:59PM on Jul 27th 2007
42. IF EVER WE NEEDED ANOTHER WASHINGTON..FDR..A LINCOLN NOW IS THE TIME.OUR NEXT PRESIDENT WILL NOT ONLY HAVE A MESS TO CLEAR HE WILL HAVE TO WORK TO RESTORE OUR GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLES TRUST IN THAT GOVERNMENT.AS A VIETNAM VETERAN I'M TIRED OF THE SWIFT BOAT POLITICS.RUN FOR PRESIDENT MR. GORE..YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU.
CHEOAH51 at 9:15AM on Jul 29th 2007
43. If Hillary, like bubba twice, can engineer third party opposition she knows she can beat, then being elected president would be easy. Algore is basically too wrapped up in GW, even though he paints this untrue picture of its consequences. He, like most Dem/Libs, are big fans of fear as voting motivation.
He can only make it work for Hillary.
jay2del at 9:33AM on Jul 29th 2007
44. A Gore-Clinton ticket would be the key to sucess for the democratic party and I believe would win over the republicians easily. The current contenders are good but not a shoo-in. As republician contenders distance themselfs from the worst administrition ever, they become more appealing to some of the independents and disgruntled republicians.
Raymnd Murray at 10:18AM on Jul 29th 2007
45. I am praying that Al Gore runs for president and saves the United States, the world, and our planet. Re-unite the United States. Throw out the GOP thieves.
I. Kellebrew at 10:32AM on Jul 29th 2007