Yesterday I read the full page Times ad from Draft Gore, and today I saw the news coverage on Good Morning America and in the paper. There's an energetic movement out there in America to get Al Gore to run for President, but so far it's been without success. One reason why I love living in the Bay Area: the Draft Gore movement (and MoveOn.org, for that matter) both started in our new home of Berkeley.
I'm one of many who thinks that the 2000 election results were not legitimate, and that the US would be in a much stronger position today if Gore were president. But he's been through this wringer before, and perhaps he can do more to save the environment as a global spokesman than he could within the constraints of the Presidency. That's for him to decide, and him only.
So I am not personally going to join the Draft Gore movement, although I appreciate its intent. But if Al does decide to run--perhaps after winning the Nobel Peace Prize this week?--I'll give him a very serious look.
I really hope he doesn't get talked into running. He's clearly a better, happier, more well-balanced individual now that he ever was on the campaign trail. I think he has the chance to do a lot more good (and live a much better life) doing what he's doing now.
Posted by: T Scott | October 11, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Now it's official: Al Gore has won the Peace Prize, along with the UN's panel on climate change. Like Scott, I hope he still resists the temptation to run for President and keeps on doing what he's doing.
Posted by: Marcus | October 13, 2007 at 09:08 AM
I don't think Gore seems well-balanced these days, quite the opposite--he's the same raving lunatic who lashes out at the president with wild claims about immoral and poorly-planned action in Iraq, losing sight of the larger hunt for Osama bin Laden, unfair tax cuts and short-sighted economic policy, lack of oversight, and kooky notions about humans impacting the environment! What a whack-job! How out of touch with the mainstream! I'd hate to see a candidate like that throw his hat in the ring. Don't we know that Gore 2000, with his exasperated sighs (why would Bush duck obvious questions?) and awkward "lock box" metaphors (why would we need the money?) just doesn't have what it takes to appeal to the everyman? Much better for the Democrats to choose electability among nominees who already don't differ in their centrist approaches to major policy issues, and keep these lightweights off on the sidelines where they belong during an election year.
Posted by: Wevbo | October 24, 2007 at 05:26 AM