Fred Thompson is the great white hope for the Republicans. If you look at him in just the right light he might remind someone (not me) of Ronald Reagan. However, his fundraising is half of what his supporters were hoping for and he's been through three campaign staffs before not announcing yet again. The more one gets to know Thompson, the less there is to like. Have you heard him give a speech or speak off the cuff? Not good.
Michael Bloomberg. He said he would launch a third party candidacy only if he's pretty sure he can win. Anyone could say that, what's the risk in that? A national run requires 'infrastructure' like 2-300 staffers and the ability to collect signatures and get on the ballot. No movement in that area means Chuck Hagel is likely out as well. Looks like he will announce he's out of D.C. and will not run for re-election to the Senate. Giving up a sure thing means he's either reading a run for prez as an independent or he's just had it. I'll vote for the latter. His replacement? Bob Kerrey has all but announced so that's a likely pick-up for the Dems.
That leaves us Al Gore who, if he is teasing, is doing a masterful job. It's either the best 'non-campaign' ever or he really doesn't want to run. Unless. Unless he sees the current Democratic front-runners as not able to win. Certainly all three have handicaps. If I were on the other side I could run effective (negative) campaigns against the current leading Dems and I think Gore knows that. He may not want in but he knows full well that with a Republican in the White House, the stalemate and partisanship, not to mention the endless war will be the order of the day. Climate change won't be on the agenda. Bottom line, I won't be shocked if Gore gets in this fall and I'll put $10 on the table to back it up.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Chuck Hagel is one Republican I do like. Here is a man who is not afraid to stand up to his own party if he thinks they are wrong. Considering he is from Nebraska, one of the reddest states in the nation, that is admirable. Hagel could tow the GOP line all he wants and keep easily getting re-elected. Instead he takes the Bush administration to task and asks the tough questions. Hagel is probably not electable as president, but this Democrat would seriously consider working on his campaign if he ran.
Hagel is probably going to leave the Senate - too bad for Nebrasks - and all of us.
David S. at 12:30PM on Aug 25th 2007
2. I've been praying that Al Gore decides to run for president. It's time we have a leader that's more interested in representing the people than there own political career. If the Democrats lose this election it will be because they beat themselves. I don't see a candidate from either party that I would want to vote for. We've seen the worst President, now it's time to see the best. We need someone that is honest (if that's possible), and represents the people. That person, in my opinion is Al Gore. I hope enough people feel the way I do, and he is convinced to run.
James Rynier at 4:03PM on Aug 25th 2007
3. I completely concur with your Gore analysis. He's the only Dem out there that I can confidently say would win. I'm not saying Clinton, Obama, Edwards, et. al. are unelectable, but they each carry considerable baggage. If Gore entered the race, I'd predict game over.
Americans are essentially fair-minded folk, and they're fond of second acts in politics (witness Nixon, Reagan, even Clinton after losing the governor's race in Arkansas). I think a majority of folks feel Gore won the race in 2000, or at the very least aren't happy with the "popular vote win/electoral vote loss" situation that panned out. And Gore has done a masterful job of keeping himself relevant and out in front of one of the more topical issues of the day. It would be a fascinating race if he got in. The question is: does he want it? is he prepared to wage a difficult, tiring national campaign when he's already sitting on top of the world, reputation in tact?
George at 5:19PM on Aug 25th 2007
4. Please Al. Please, please run. Our country desperately needs you!!
Jeanette at 5:38PM on Aug 25th 2007
5. Bloomberg? A jew cannot get elected to US presidency. First of all Jews pledge allegiance to Israel first - the USA and non-Jewish Americans come second. If we cannot elect a Mormon why does a Jew think he could be elected? Answer: the Jewish controlled media (Jews only hire and promote other Jews in Violation of US Federal Law) refuses to acknowledge that a Jewish candidate cannot get elected figuring that the more the Public sees Jewish candidates - the more used to Jews they will get (295 million non-Jewish US Americans). Kennedy had to say that allegiance did not lie with the Pope; JEWS must disclose that their allegiance lies with the US and NOT with the foreign government of Israel.
John at 7:21PM on Aug 25th 2007
6. Fred Thompson worked the U.S. Congress membership as a lobbyist for passage of the Savings and Loan deregulation legislation Enacted into law in September 1982, the Garn - St Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982, is widely credited with having laid the groundwork for the U.S.Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s.
saltzman21 at 10:31PM on Aug 25th 2007
7. PLEASE...AL GORE...RUN!
What better way to INSURE a GOP Victory. It makes me salivate thinking about it.
John Brooks at 11:13PM on Aug 25th 2007
8. I think Thompson waited too long.He was very busy
raising money for Scooter Libbys' legal fees.The fine
of $250,000 was paid with-in a day of prez.'s commutation.The full pardon will come when Bush exits
office.A full pardon should be given to the two border guards,who are in jail,serving an eleven,and
twelve year sentence,for "daring" to stop a known
Mexican drug smuggler.!!Bush doesn't feel this way,
unfortunately.! Back to the G.O.P.'s last"white hope"
Thompson,who did nothing memorable when he was in the
Congress,except rubber-stamp Reagan's S.& L."deal"
If I were any of the Republican candidates,I would
resent paying millions to campaign,and tour the nation,while Thompson plays the waiting game.!! He
lacks the passion and drive,to lead our country.Hope
he comes to realize that he who hesitates is last!
Joanie
Joan T. Sampedro at 12:16AM on Aug 26th 2007
9. GOP
Get Out Please.
Al Gore is the only one for the job. Had he been put in office like WE THE PEOPLE voted in 2000, we wouldnt be in the mess we are with the current......ASSHOLE, DICTATOR, CRIMINAL, POS
Hope for Ameirca at 2:16AM on Aug 26th 2007
10. I believe Al Gore's decision of whether or not to run will be the truest test of his concern about Global Warming. Surely he knows that there is only one way to keep global warming at the top of the agenda--the bully pulpit on Pennsylvania Avenue. Voters are fickle and easily tire of even important issues--think New Orleans--and without his presidential nagging and policy power, a global warming crisis will most likely not be averted. There is no candidate right now on the scene with the courage to use the S word. Without it, we are lost. And so is Al Gore.
Sacrifice.
Plain Jane at 8:26AM on Aug 26th 2007
11. There's room for a third party candidate with his own money.
Steve Bonomo at 8:34PM on Aug 26th 2007
12. Run Al Run
Matt at 3:01PM on Aug 27th 2007
13. Honestly, I hope Al Gore gets in the race, but with every day that goes by and a complete lack of news regarding his "non-campaign", the chances of seeing him on the ballot get smaller. One can hope, though.
Evan at 1:06PM on Aug 28th 2007
14. I believe Al Gore could win in a landslide and I will work my tail off for him if and when he throws his hat in the race.
Suzanne at 9:41PM on Aug 28th 2007
15. I also hope to see Gore's name on the ballot; however, I disagree that a presidential bid would be the true test of his "green." Gore has first hand experience of the difficulties of passing one's agenda in Washington. He may be discouraged to run due to the fact that if he is President and he fails for any reason to mandate a solution to Global Warming, as he apparently did in his vice presidency, both he and his cause lose all credibility. This being said, I can only hope he has the courage to atleast try and knowledge to know how much we would support him.
Jon Nomura at 5:39AM on Aug 29th 2007