Maybe Al Gore for President isn't such a bad idea after all

Submitted by R. Neal on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 8:34am

I was thinking it would be a bad idea for Democrats to nominate Al Gore. The right-wing hate machine would go into hyperdrive, much as it will if Hillary Clinton is nominated.

Gore also failed to carry his own home state in 2000, otherwise the theft of the Florida election wouldn't have mattered and we wouldn't be in the mess we are in today.

The winds are shifting, though. The most recent MTSU poll showed a slight shift to a bluer shade of Tennessee purple. In the 2006 elections, The People sent Washington a message that was loud and clear: we are mad as hell and we're not going to take it any more.

(And even though Corker won in Tennessee, his unimpressive 3 point margin over a black man from Memphis named Ford despite the fact that national Democrats abandoned their hand-picked candidate down the stretch could be chalked up as a symbolic victory for Democrats and further evidence of a shift in Tennessee politics, not to mention that the GOP had to shift resources here which probably helped Webb defeat Allen in Virgina among others.)

But what's really got me thinking about Al Gore for President is this editorial in today's Knoxville News Sentinel.

Judging by their pathetic record on presidential endorsements, their admonition for Gore to stick to the global warming crusade and leave the presidency to someone else amounts to a ringing endorsement for a Gore candidacy as far as I'm concerned.

If the KNS is against a presidential candidate, it's a pretty safe bet that's the candidate you ought to support. Besides, when are Democrats going to stop taking advice from right-wing conservatives about who they should run for president? In 2004 they wanted Dean, and when he self-destructed they wanted Kerry. Look what happened. Now they want to run against Hillary and/or Obama, and hope Gore stays out of it. That should tell you everything you need to know right there.

The KNS says the "the presidency offers a gigantic bully pulpit, it might not be the one that is most effective for the environmental challenge posed by global warming." They are essentially saying that the President of the United States can't effectively promote or enforce environmental policy.

History in their world begins in January of 2001, so they come to this conclusion based on the Bush administration's incredibly harmful neglect of the environment. Which, if you think about it, negates their point. This president has had a huge negative impact on environmental policy.

They also insult the intelligence of not only Al Gore but all Americans. Do they really think Gore is so narrow-minded that he would focus all his attention on climate change and ignore every other issue if he were elected president? Do they really expect people to believe that?

The editorial has another interesting remark regarding global warming, saying "there remain many skeptics, and that is altogether not a bad thing, given the diversity of opinion about most everything in the nation." Memo to the KNS: Skepticism based on blind loyalty to a failed ideology is not an altogether good thing, and opinion is not science.

Anyway, the fact is, for good or ill, Al Gore is the most experienced and most qualified person being talked about as a candidate for president in 2008. He has vision and proven leadership abilities on everything from inventing the internet to raising worldwide awareness of climate change. He is an accomplished policy wonk on par with Bill Clinton in his ability to speak intelligently on any issue.

America could do a lot worse. We already have for the past six years.

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Randy, I agree 100%. I think

Submitted by JaHu on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 9:27am.

Randy, I agree 100%. I think if Gore should decide to run, he would not only win this state but it would be a landslide victory. His choice of running mates didn't help him in the 2000 election. Obama might be a nice choice for the role in this next election, but then again, it might be testing the waters too soon, and the democrats really need a victory in this election. Gore needs a running mate who could help pull the swing voters, and not push them away as he had in his previous campaign.

Adrift in the Sea of Humility

Me Three

Submitted by WhitesCreek on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 9:33am.

It's snowing out here.

Coulter's remark

Submitted by Tamara Shepherd on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 10:22am.

Wow--Coulter's remark about Edwards on that clip was outrageously hateful. Frankly, I didn't even understand the basis for it. Did I miss some kind of action on Edwards's part that opened him up to criticism from the Hate Machine???

Does existing count as an action?

Submitted by Nelle on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 1:24pm.

Did I miss some kind of action on Edwards's part that opened him up to criticism from the Hate Machine???

He continues to breathe in and out.

Gore-Edwards ?

Submitted by ATSF616 on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 10:16am.

"Gore-Edwards" has a nice ring to it, I think. Both are reasonably progressive Southerners, which might mitigate the perceived need to "balance" the ticket with a Republican-lite VP candidate.

Darrell Sherrod
Kokomo IN

Geography?

Submitted by Tamara Shepherd on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 10:25am.

Darrell: "...which might mitigate the perceived need to "balance" the ticket with a Republican-lite VP candidate."

I thought we got Lieberman on the ticket previously due to some perceived need to "balance" the ticket geographically?

Problem with the premise is

Submitted by metulj on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 10:41am.

Problem with the premise is that Liebermann isn't Republican-lite. He's Cheney's little puddin'.

True happiness is knowing you are a hypocrite. -- Ivor Cutler

He's in an excellent position

Submitted by marat on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 11:38am.

Gore is in an excellent position, particularly since he's been getting a ton of free publicity, all of which serves to burnish his already-impressive credentials: The Oscar for Best Documentary, his performance at the Oscars (understated and he showed himself to be a good sport), a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize (even if he loses, you can't buy the prestige that goes with that), a best-selling author, and a brand-new target for the right wing (is anyone still listening to them, outside of their own echo chamber, that is?). He's not a candidate now, and he can get a pretty good ride without declaring for the next few months. Therefore, he'll neither be attacked (except by Republicans), nor attack anyone (except for Republicans).

As far as the KNS goes, you've hit it on the nose. Their recent positions have raised the scent of partisanship very distinctly. This, coupled with their record on both local and national issues, may have served to reduce any influence they may have once exercised.

Gore's record over the last six years, raising his stature, talking seriously about serious issues, showing himself through hard work and evidence to have been right about global warming, at the same time that Bush has isolated himself and us in the world, got us involved in a two-front war, and shown himself and his White House to be impervious to questions and alternative views, has set up a contrast that only the most partisan would miss.

Rearing over the little bump

Submitted by JaHu on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 12:33pm.

Pearing over the little bump of a post between us, I'd have to agree with you Marat. Gore has moved himself into the position of having a very successful campaign. Although if he does have plans of running, he doesn't need to throw his hat into ring to quickly. He needs to catch the wingnuts off guard, not allowing them enough time to spin a strategy against him.
Adrift in the Sea of Humility

mr. hug a tree

Submitted by jhow66 on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 11:52am.

algore for prez.--he he haw haw lol rotflmao etc.

Other polling says no...

Submitted by Number9 on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 12:27pm.

Gallup has the following:

A new Gallup poll released today finds that, actually, relatively few Democrats think he could win the White House next year.

The survey found that 74% thought Sen. Hillary Clinton would have a good or excellent chance to win, with 71% feeling the same way about Sen. Barack Obama. A still healthy 52% gave former Sen. John Edwards this kind of chance. But only 31% gave good or excellent odds on Gore.

Sixty-eight percent give Gore a "slim" or "no" chance to beat a Republican next year.

Even among Democrats only, Gore was seen by only 44% as having a good or excellent shot. This contrasts with 90% feeling that way about Clinton.

The poll of 1,018 adults was taken Feb. 22-25.

Just to let you know digit.

Submitted by JaHu on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 12:36pm.

Just to let you know digit. I wasn't reffering to you.

Adrift in the Sea of Humility

A new Gallup poll released

Submitted by JaHu on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 12:43pm.

A new Gallup poll released today finds that, actually, relatively few Democrats think he(Gore) could win the White House next year.

'Gallup poll' Sorry not falling for it. With the right strategy, those numbers could flip overnight if Gore did decide to run.

Adrift in the Sea of Humility

You are correct

Submitted by Number9 on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 12:51pm.

Two big things on the horizon. If Gore wins the Nobel Peace Prize, and he stands a solid chance, the polls will flip.

The other looming issue is Hillary Clinton's hidden thesis from her Senior year at Wellesley College. In fact it is very well hidden.

Reachin' back 40 years???

Submitted by Tamara Shepherd on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 1:05pm.

I'll admit, I didn't read your entire post, 9. I stopped because it reminded me so much of something in the DVD our family rented Friday night, Robin Williams in "Man of the Year."

If you haven't caught it yet, Williams plays comedian Tom Dobbs, who launchs a campaign for the presidency (and wins) on a "Cut-the-S**t" sort of platform.

Anyway, the scene I was reminded of was one in which Dobbs, hounded by a mob of reporters is asked numerous and largely irrelevant questions about his adolescence, including some about his prior marijuana usage (Dobbs's quote: "It was lit and it was in my hand...") and his teen sexual experiences (Dobbs recounts his adolescent dates with himself--use your imagination, he did).

Honest to Pete, I could care less about what opinions a candidate held 40 years ago, I can extend the same courtesy to candidates whose *current* opinions I don't like, and I really believe most people feel the same way. We wanna know where candidates stand *now* on the issues that are important *now.*

I want to see why

Submitted by Number9 on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 1:08pm.

it is so important to hide the thesis. Is this a clever way to get people to want to read it?

Al would be a great one but

Submitted by LadyVols on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 4:25pm.

he lost (OK he was robbed but he didn't win) his movie is about to be outed (swift-boated) in the next two weeks, and Hillary will spend mountains of money just to make sure he does NOT run!

Colter so stepped in it when she fired one off at Edwards and then today her response was even more on the ugly side! Naturally the right wingers are trying to cloud it by saying HBO should can Bill because he said we would be better off if the VP had been killed. Ann can't hid behind this one!

Gore is for single-payer

Submitted by ivester on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 6:17pm.

A year or so ago Gore said in an interview that he had "reluctantly" come to the conclusion that single-payer health insurance was the best option for US health care. He's absolutely right about this, of course, as he is on most issues, but this means the insurance rackets and the AMA will do anything to keep him out of office.

His willingness to tell the truth--in this case as on the issue of climate change--makes me think he's not going to run. To be a successful politician, you need to be a very well-practiced liar, and Gore, having now broken the habit, might not want to force himself to relearn it.

Troll-like post

Submitted by WhitesCreek on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 6:50pm.

his movie is about to be outed (swift-boated)

"Outed" and "swift boated" are not the same thngs. Essentially every single claim made by the swift boaters has been debunked. Kerry was a hero, no if's and's or but's. Bush was a deserter. Get over it, help us fix this mess, or shut up and go away.

"Outed" and "swift boated"

Submitted by LadyVols on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 9:02pm.

"Outed" and "swift boated" are not the same thngs."

Outed exposes the person..swift boated exposes the act.

As for Al, the two week from now benchmark was wrong it has already started. Kerry was not a great candidate and he proved it when he tried to run again. In 08 it will take the very best to win and Al does NOT want to get into the game. His own words.

LV, you have the most

Submitted by redmondkr on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 9:08pm.

LV, you have the most amazing dictionary.

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Well, some of us are just

Submitted by LadyVols on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 9:47pm.

Well, some of us are just farm rased or is it raised folks who never got into a good liberal arts school. I sure wish I was smarter and could both hitch a thought to a string of words, but I have to do the best I can on passion and love for my fellow woman.

As for the new movie out on warming, it is a real mess..filled with science pulled out of a think tank in Texas. Still it is another reason Al needs to stay on the street fighting the good fight and not get into this mess in 08.

Did you see the coverage of Hillary today from Alabama? It was such a slanted work of fiction I thought FOX produced it..but no it was on ABC! Al needs to be Al and hang right in
there with what he is doing.

I like your skyline by the way and if you met me I bet you would like me also!

Did I miss some kind of

Submitted by gttim on Sun, 2007/03/04 - 11:27pm.

Did I miss some kind of action on Edwards's part that opened him up to criticism from the Hate Machine???

He's a Democrat?

LV just wants to lie for his side

Submitted by WhitesCreek on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 9:31am.

Outed exposes the person..swift boated exposes the act.

"swift-boated" is a term for a smear. What do The Swift boaters think about all the fines they pay for campaign law violations? Just the cost of doing business.

Their own statements contradicted their ads and they got condemned even by John McCain.

They are simply Liars!

You too, LV.

But LV, answer me this...Does your conscience ever bother you when you sit in church or are you just comfortable with being a sociopath?

Indecent Exposure

Submitted by Mark Siegel on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 9:46am.

Outed exposes the person..swift boated exposes the act.

Outed exposes something a person wants kept private.

Swift boating exposes something the exposer makes up.

Indecent exposure exposes something that the public in general demands be kept private.

Indecent exposure exposes

Submitted by LadyVols on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 12:21pm.

Indecent exposure exposes something that the public in general demands be kept private."

Unless you are on a certain beach in MEXICO!

LadyVols, you referred to

Submitted by R. Neal on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 12:24pm.

LadyVols, you referred to your X as a "he" in an earlier comment. But you don't write like a girl. Were you in a gay marriage? What state was it sanctioned in?

That’s weird. You usually

Submitted by Knoxquerious on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 12:33pm.

That’s weird. You usually don't hear the words "gay" and "Lady Vols" in the same reference together. Zing!

Huh?

Submitted by Tamara Shepherd on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 12:51pm.

Randy: "...you don't write like a girl."

Uh, Randy? You wanna 'splain this one to me slowly???

Dunno. I've got a sixth

Submitted by R. Neal on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 1:04pm.

Dunno. I've got a sixth sense about it that's usually correct. Sorry if that's sexist or whatever, but it's true! (Don't ask me to prove it or quantify it though. It's a mystery, and not always accurate. It also develops over time after reading lots of prose. I can't usually spot it right away.)

Here's an interesting webtoy that tries to determine a writer's gender:

http://www.bookblog.net/gender/genie.php

It almost seems random at times, but it's fun.

It said this post about Gore was written by a male, which is correct. It says your earlier comment about "going back 40 years" was written by a female, which is correct.

On the other hand, it says my post about the Shrimp Dock was written by a female (by a very small margin), and my post about daylight savings time and PCs was written by a female (by a large margin). Go figure.

The more text you put in, the better its "accuracy" is supposed to be.

(P.S. In this PARTICULAR case, I have other CLUES.)

Randy: "On the other hand,

Submitted by Tamara Shepherd on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 1:12pm.

Randy: "On the other hand, it says my post about the Shrimp Dock was written by a female (by a very small margin), and my post about daylight savings time and PCs was written by a female (by a large margin)."

You're off the hook, darlin'. Sounds like you're plenty in touch with your feminine side. ;-)

But LV, answer me

Submitted by LadyVols on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 12:31pm.

But LV, answer me this...Does your conscience ever bother you when you sit in church or are you just comfortable with being a sociopath?"

There are lots of good churches and more than a few sociopaths both in them and in D.C. the trick is to find one that works for you.

Right now I am still visiting others although the people that make up the one I moved my letter into are the real heart of the church. Granted most are not democrats and those that are sure are not liberal, but in general they have good hearts and do so many wonderful things that are never reported. Lots of outreach in that church and their motive is not proselytizing either.

Still the mega church idea is not working for me, although it sure does bring people in. I am more into the older idea of bible teaching and open exchanges of thought found in smaller churches. Guess that is why I am still visiting?

That’s weird. You usually

Submitted by LadyVols on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 12:44pm.

That’s weird. You usually don't hear the words "gay" and "Lady Vols" in the same reference together. Zing!"

LOL!!!!!!!!!

Well, Duh!

Submitted by WhitesCreek on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 12:48pm.

You usually don't hear the words "gay" and "Lady Vols" in the same reference together. Zing!

It's pretty simple. We're predominately progressive and we don't care about any of that.

Particularly if they can play ball.

Ditto. Heh.

Submitted by R. Neal on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 12:49pm.

Ditto. Heh.

"you don't write like a girl."

Submitted by WhitesCreek on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 1:01pm.

It's really simple, T. Except for the ones with large adam's apples like Ann Coulter, most women are way to smart to write such obvious bullshit, even a DC based one like LV claims to be. I'm guessing paid operative, but we'll see.

Most women don't get off on

Submitted by redmondkr on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 1:06pm.

Most women don't get off on braggin' 'bout Diesel dualies either.

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As Monte Burns said...

Submitted by Factchecker on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 1:35pm.

The fish is in the pan. ;>)

On the other hand, it says

Submitted by LadyVols on Mon, 2007/03/05 - 2:57pm.

On the other hand, it says my post about the Shrimp Dock was written by a female (by a very small margin),"

Check that margin again! As for shrimp, unless they are bigger than Colter's nose take a pass.

OH and being paid to write on blogs sounds like a dream job for Ms Bean, but I can't spell well...uh good enough..or well..or is it goo...I'll get back to you on that.

Ms Bean did you