Gore for Vice President
I tend not to agree with James Carville about very much. But I do agree with him on this. Al Gore is, by far, the best candidate we could possibly have for Vice President.
I don't suppose many Democrats would disagree. But I do think that many would say that he'd never take it.
I am absolutely sure he would -- for one simple reason. Al Gore is a patriot. He wants Obama to win and he, no doubt, wants to help turn this country around (not just on global warming but on everything).
As one who believes that 9/11 would not have happened had Gore been sworn in on Jan. 20, 2001 -- Al Gore would not have ignored all the signs pointing to an attack or Richard Clarke's warnings -- I consider him America's indispensable man. The #2 spot can be the second most powerful job in America as both Gore and Cheney have shown. Gore has also shown that he knows how to be a powerful VP without crowding the President.
One more thing. Obama-Gore would win. As Jimmy Carter once said, "why not the best?"
I agree there'd be advantages but there would have to be a certain amount of pride-swallowing on Gore's part. Talk about "Always the bridesmaid, never the bride."
June 12, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
With his Nobel Prize and Academy Award, Gore would bring enough prestige to the office that I don't think it would diminish him at all.
June 12, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm in agreement, both that Gore would help the ticket and that he would take it if asked. He said something (sorry I can't find a link) a few months ago indicating that he would be somewhat open to it IF he were given an effective platform to accomplish his goals in terms of energy policy and preparedness for climate change.
June 12, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sorry to disagree (not really, it's just something people say), but Gore is the one person the GOP would like to see in the VP slot above Hillary.
His 'OMG THE TEMP IS RISING!' campaign, which is built to funnel not help to the world but money to his accounts, and his casual relationship with the facts (needless science - ouija board anyone?) would make him a gaping hole in what is otherwise a sound and reasoned campaign.
Obama is about the future not the past and while Gore is a 'known', he's also a 'too known'; and a bit of a blowhard.
He has more baggage than the Titanic, and is the ice berg too.
June 12, 2008 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
so.... al gore's primary if not sole motive for raising awareness about global warming has been the accumulation of personal wealth?
ouija boards indeed! however did you manage to divine his personal/secret motivations??!!
please forgive me if i ignore everything else you have to say on the matter.
June 12, 2008 3:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
While you're ignoring it, make sure you ignore his carbon credits programs, such as Generation Investment Management, too. You know, the ones where he makes millions by lobbying governments to implement programs which force corporations to 'offset their carbon footprint' and mandates government investments in 'green technology' companies which he also has an interest in.
Tell you what, Gore, if you actually cared about the 'poor people of the planet who are suffering' you'd care more about the millions of children who die from malaria each year, or the other millions who die from the dirty water they have no choice but to drink.
Global warming is a nice and worthy cause sure, but it would be more so if the science he uses wasn't flawed, if he wasn't set to make 100's of millions from it, if there were not more pressing concerns which are killing people NOW rather than 50 years from now, and naturally if the temperature had not only NOT risen in the last 10 years, but fallen last year.
But sure, ignore it. It's meaningless. Offset your carbon yet?
June 12, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd be interested to know what green technology companies he has an investment in.
June 13, 2008 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
As with all issues presented to us, the one rull holds true: follow the money to the truth and the answers you seek:
Being Al Gore
Entrepreneurs offer advice to the veep-cum-venture capitalist.
In some circles, being named a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is more highly prized than, say, an Oscar, an Emmy, or a Nobel Peace Prize. Well, Al Gore doesn't have to choose, now that he has joined the storied Sand Hill Road venture capital firm as a partner investing specifically in green companies.
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20080201/being-al-gore.html
Greentech
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers are actively investing in Greentech innovation and entrepreneurs
http://www.kpcb.com/initiatives/greentech/index.html
June 14, 2008 8:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
/rule
June 14, 2008 8:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Disagree!
Gore is extremely popular amongst liberals and democrats. He is not that liked among independents and moderate republicans.
People tend to forget this in their endless Al gore chirping. We may like him, but a lot of other people don't.
June 12, 2008 2:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think he would really want it. He's expressed the idea recently that he doesn't want to go through the bizarre and ridiculous guantlet of press posing and preening.
I don't think he would add much to the ticket in terms of getting swing states. He's a guy all Dems remember got cheated in 2000, but I agree that he's not a real draw for so called 'independents' GOP people who might vote democratic this year.
June 13, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm pretty sure no one has ever run for VP after having been elected President.
Besides, quoth the Gore-ster: "Been there. Done that. Bought the t-shirt customized with 'Gore-ster' on the back. Thought the concert was just OK. Promised my wife I'd stop giving it away."
June 12, 2008 2:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
The great you tends disagrees with Carville, and you KNOW what Gore would do???
No ego here, just the facts.
If I were Gore, I would keep doing what I am doing. He's effective and loves what he is doing (= good life). Politics is an ugly process; Gore is as hated by the media and would have as much bs historical media baggage/nonsense to fight through as the Clintons have had.
June 12, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
sorry "tends to disagree"
June 12, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Huh?
I like Gore, voted for him, and think he's doing great work on the environment. But overall Gore would be a lousy and very controversial VP choice. His best work was done out of office. In office, kind of a dud.
June 12, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope this idea dies soon. It's an awful one.
June 12, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like Gore and would love to see him back in office but I'm worried that he doesn't deliver any states that Obama wouldn't win without him. Remember, had Gore carried his home state, Florida wouldn't have mattered.
June 12, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yuck. No.
Anyway, Gore has now acceded to the role of world traveling global statesman, Nobel laureate and ultra-wry-important person of influence. He has transcended American politics, which is now too local for him. Why would he want to step down into the role of vice president? Despite the euphemistic label of "number two" for the VP, the US vice president is generally only about the 500th or 600th most powerful person in the country, falling below most Fortune 500 CEOs at least.
June 12, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was supposed to be "ultra-very-important"
June 12, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
'Transcended'? Pah! Gore and Gorby sitting in a tree, offsetting carbon for you and me..
Why is this guy not a saint yet??!
June 12, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
DiegoUK must work for some polluting giant.
Get over it. Gore rules, and he won the argument. The science is on his side, and you now have to deal with it.
June 12, 2008 7:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why is this guy not a saint yet??!
Two reasons that I can think of:
-- Despite appearances, he's not dead.
-- The required miracles, among them saving the world from American wastefulness, have not yet occurred. Only after they are shown to be attributable to him will canonization proceed.
June 12, 2008 8:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gore might not be optimal, but lots worse picks have been floated and I do think he would take it if asked. It's good to have discussions about the pros and cons of various possibilities - it gives us an idea of the kinds of the factors Obama is weighing. Some of the earlier discussions were less than productive in positing that Obama must pick x or y individual or must pick someone from x or y state, or must pick e.g. a military person or an economic expert, as if to box him in or imply that the choice isn't his to make. He has many options and I'm confident that he will pick the right person for VP, whoever it might be.
June 12, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Robert Wexler
June 12, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
No. Like Webb, he's a loose cannon, far too excitable.
June 12, 2008 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
MJ,
The prospect of Gore, with a hundred times the qualifications and experience of Obama being Vice President again under Obama is insulting to them both and would be, at best, an ongoing and extraordinarily uncomfortable situation. Gore should be the nominee. I wish he had decided to throw his hat in. He would have won hands down.
June 12, 2008 5:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree that Gore would have been a great candidate, but 100 times the qualifications of Obama...what are you smoking?
June 12, 2008 7:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not so sure it's a bad idea. Gore was right on the war and right on the global climate/energy crisis. He'd have to be given a big job but there should be plenty to do on the climate/energy front. He's more qualified than Hillary.
June 12, 2008 6:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Howard Dean was right about those things, too!
June 12, 2008 7:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
M.J. I consider it rather insulting to Al Gore to mention him as a VP candidate after he actually won the presidency and didn't get to serve. I think that Gore would have been a great choice this year for president, but then I underestimated that Obama fellow.
http://www.leadershipcultivation.com/2007/10/president-al-go.html
June 12, 2008 7:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
While Gore is a very effective advocate in the efforts to curb global warming I can see him slipping easily back into "stiff and uncharismatic politician" mode if put in that position.
Nawwwww...not Gore. I like him but I don't want to see him as the VP candidate for the Dems.
June 12, 2008 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that if Gore would have participated in the debates etc. I could agree with you. But he seemed removed from the situation. However, one doesn't really have do much at being VP ....he could continue with his passion....maybe he would do it.
June 12, 2008 8:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Personally, I think we could help fight MMGW in a big way if we could just get Gore to shut his mouth (and perhaps stop using private jets).
June 14, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink