"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 5 of 6)
61. I made the horrible mistake of voting for George W. Bush in the 2000 election. I would not hesitate to vote for Al Gore if he would run for president in 2008. Al knows and understands the issues that matter to the American people and the world for that matter. We need you Al Gore!!
Joe Eicher at 8:32AM on Jul 31st 2007
62. Al Gore is deserving of the opportunity. Gore/Clinton,
Gore/Obama or Gore/Richardson would win. And win they must.
The Republicans are more afraid of Gore than Clinton or Obama.
R. Bianco at 11:18AM on Jul 31st 2007
63. Imagine, if only for a blink of enlightened awareness, that Life is a precious miracle ~*~
This living Earth... Nature - Flora, Fauna... Human Life... - irrespective of origin - is
(as evidenced by Its very existence & breathtaking variety) a fantastic, precious miracle. Here, on this fragile orb, & Nowhere else in our universal neighborhood have we observed this glorious miracle - this rare jewel that is Life...
and Here dwells HumanKind, with the capacity to Cherish & Nurture, Respect & Sustain Life...
or degrade, diminish & destroy It.
So, there is choice. On the one hand Life,
& on the other... Empty Nothingness...
Conscience & intelligence entreat Respect for Life.
A person (group, society, etc.) is largely defined by their motive(s) as well as by their deed(s) or inaction, as the case may be. And so it is with Leaders, governments, corporations & the like. Further, by consequence, legacy & destiny are manifested.
In terms of intrinsic value, true human progress can only be defined & effected by means of unwavering Respect for Life. A continuous, focused & dedicated devotion to improving the human condition & its impact (Footprint) on Our EarthHome & beyond. Therein is the measure of Our worth & the Hope for Our lineage.
Wisdom & courage are demonstrated by choosing to better OurSelves in all human traits & activities, wherever & whenever opportunity is presented, not only as a matter of convenience or in times of desperate response to crisis.
In that light, there can be no doubt or argument as to the right choices to be made & actions to be taken here & now. Opportunity & necessity mandate decisive measures, on a global basis.
I recognize, honour & support You, Al Gore, for Respecting Life with a proactive visionary determination to ensure a safer, cleaner EarthHome for the benefit & sanctity of HumanKind - & indeed, Life ItSelf - now & in the future.
In my eyes, You are an admirable & honourable man, leading by example.
As I did during the infamous 2000 elections, which will surely go down in history as the catalyst for one of the (if not singlemost) darkest periods in American politics,
I would happily & actively advocate You for the Presidency of America, should You choose to enter the '08 presidential race.
It would give me great hope & pleasure to call You "Mr. President".
I salute & honour You, Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr., & every man, woman, or child on the planet, for whom the noblest of noble ideals - Respect for Life - holds true.
May PEACE Be With You & Yours, & With Us All.
Earth Citizen at 1:29PM on Jul 31st 2007
64. YES. Let's get out the vote for Al Gore. He is still deserving to be President and should have been in 2000.
Betty Marlenee at 12:06AM on Aug 6th 2007
65. Al Gore is a one issue guy. A cult movement Guru. Besides, the she-devil, would NEVER allow him to win the nom. This is HER turn, HER time. Her win would be for ALL women every where. Just ask her. LOL.
chardonnay at 1:13PM on Aug 4th 2007
66. Whoa, Earth Citizen, dude, you need a dose of reality my friend. I reccomend the real Jesus. Al Gore is not the messiah.
wow.
chardonnay at 1:22PM on Aug 4th 2007
67. Whoa, Earth Citizen, dude, you need a dose of reality my friend. I reccomend the real Jesus. Al Gore is not the messiah.
wow.
chardonnay at 1:22PM on Aug 4th 2007
68. Would vote for Gore. Wonder if it would do any good because believe he was cheated out of last election.
patricia lamkin at 3:17PM on Aug 5th 2007
69. RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT 08
Peter at 3:06PM on Aug 5th 2007
70. When I was a Democrat, I voted for Nixon because George McGovern just seemed like he was walking with his head in the clouds and Nixon was so matter-of-fact. Now, I am a Republican and I intend to, once again, place my vote where I feel it makes the most sense for America. Will somebody PLEASE get Al Gore off his ass and get him to announce his candidacy???
W.L. Barton at 3:54PM on Aug 5th 2007
71. The way Mr. Gore's campaign handled itself during the 2000 election, should in my opinion, preclude his further seeking the office of president.
Regardless which side of the political aisle you are from, looking back at his antics was an embarrassment to the political process, himself and to the United States.
Mr. Gore can no more single handedly fix the environment, then he can "take the initiative and invent the internet"
joesands at 7:30PM on Aug 5th 2007
72. I think an Al Gore/Hillary Clinton ticket, or a Hillary Clinton/Al Gore Ticket would be a winner. If Obama is Hillary's running mate though, I will not vote for her. Obama may be okay, but due to the fact that His early upbringing was Muslim, there is no way I could vote for him on anybody's ticket.
Marilyn Lester at 7:47PM on Aug 7th 2007
73. You liberals just don't get it.Government is not the answer.Taxes are not the answer.More programs are not the answer.What our country needs is more participation in the economic process.More people involved in local governments not the federal (one size fits all) approach.We need less taxes and more competition.We need market based action by an informed public.We don't need big business or big government.We need to free, responible and involved.
Jeff K. at 4:59PM on Aug 8th 2007
74. AL GORE, IF YOU STEP BACK AND TAKE THE LONG VIEW, IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE OF EITHER PARTY WHO HAS THE EXPERIENCE, THE INTELLIGENCE AND THE STRENGTH TO BE PRESIDENT.
ABSENT AL GORE, THINGS WILL GO ON PRETTY MUCH THE SAME NO MATTER WHO IS ELECTED.
Joe Reichert at 11:42AM on Aug 10th 2007
75. Hillary and Gore on one ticket!!!!
visit www.politdose.com for the best commentary on everything political!
Patrick at 12:46PM on Aug 10th 2007