There's One Candidate That Gore Can't Endorse After Today...

[Khephra]

Lieberman.

Look at the text of today's speech and the one that he gave during the lead up to the Iraq war. Gore's very msg is in total opposition to what Lieberman is pushing for his campaign.

To endorse Lieberman at this point would make Gore look like nothing he's said was true, and would really make him just another politician in many people's eyes. He can't go against his own strong anti-Bush/anti-war statements to give Lieberman the support that he'd need.

And when Gore endorses someone other than Lieberman it's going to be a massive embarrassment for the Lieberman campaign. It will be a MAJOR loss of face.

That statement by Gore leaving open his endorsement was actually a slap in Lieberman's face on it's own. By all rights Joe should have had it tied up, but their differences as politicians on a philosophical level have just become to large for Gore to have done that...and as I've said above, I don't think it's ever possible for Gore to back Lieberman now.

This is not a slam at Lieberman, just a personal reading of what just happened.

[flamingyouth]

1. I thought the same too

Also, I think Lieberman's going down, personally - esp. after this week's debate in Chicago.

[blm]

It all comes down to who Gore thinks has the juice to fix

what Bush has broken.

[Khephra]

5. I don't think so

The last two speeches that Gore has given have been anti-war and about ideas for the future. He's joined the "there's something wrong the with party" wing of the Democrats. It's not just about beating Bush for this side of the party, but changing the ideas that are pushing the party forward.

And as such, I don't think it will be just about who he thinks can win (and if he thought Lieberman might be able to win, he wouldn't have tossed the endorsement out to the pack), but about who is the best candidate that is closest to the ways in which he thinks.

My bet is he's going with one of the anti-war/internet candidates--Clark (if he runs), Kucinich or Dean. The hints about electronic activism in today's speech would also point that way too.

[blm]

21. I said he will endorse the person

who has the juice to fix what Bush has broken.

You find something in that to disagree? With that far of a reach you should consider boxing.
;)))))

[chimpymustgo]

23. blm - ouch! good one.

"With that far a reach, you should try boxing!"

[blm]

46. It was a love tap...

kef's a sweetheart.

[Khephra]

26. I admit...I misread your post the first time through.

Oops...am I red now.

Just ignore my previous comment to you.

;-)

[oasis]

29. Clark? Gore stated that he would back a candidate currently in the race.

[ewagner]

2. I agree

There was absolutely nothing in Gore's speech that indicated that the iraq Invasion was a "just war".

Further, Gore laid out a platform of Democratic Party Values which are antithetical to Lieberman's position. Those values apply across the board to the eight other candidates.

[Spoon]

15. That's "absolutely" not true

unless he deviated from his prepared speech:

"The removal of Saddam from power is a positive accomplishment in its own right for which the President deserves credit, just as he deserves credit for removing the Taliban from power in Afghanistan.

http://www.moveon.org/gore-speech.html

[Jacobin]

3. No possible way he could endorse Lieberman at this point

It was a tactical decision in 2000 to name him VP for florida electoral votes. If election hadn't been stolen it would have worked. It hurt him in a lot of other states though.

Lieberman is the very antithesis of what Gore stands for.

[Beetwasher]

4. Yup. I don't get Lieberman at all...

He's behaving in a very non-constructive fashion...It's truly disheartening...

[Brotherjohn]

6. I'm thinking he'll endorse Dean or Kuchinich. They're the most anti-war.

That seems to be the biggest single issue for Gore, and I think it should be for anyone. Not that one should ignore the economy, and Gore is obviously not. In fact, the tactic he and other Bush critics have taken lately (linking dishonesty in Iraq to dishonesty in domestic policy) will be a valuable weapon against Bush. Of course, Gore is more clever, referring to these things as "mistaken impressions", leaving for the time being the question of how we got those mistaken impressions (he doesn't have to say; everyone knows they came from the Bush administration).

A Gore endorsement would only give Dean more credibility. And as far as Kuchinich, although he's viewed as a longshot now, an endorsement by Gore could really change that.

[dpbrown]

43. I think Gore will probably endorse Kerry

Just a hunch, but if the rumors of Kerry being Gore's #2 pick for VP are true, and Gore's looking to back someone he considers a "winner" and put the wind in his sails, Kerry'd be the natural choice.

If Gore backs Dean, however, I think that seals the deal for Governor Dean.

If Gore backs Kucinich, my oh my we're in for a new day in the Democratic Party. Although Gore has gone a considerable way to distancing himself from the DLC, an endorsement of Kucinich would thoroughly discredit the DLC as a leading influence on Democratic Party policy, putting them back in the box of "fringe special interest group" that they probably belong in.

For what it's worth, I thought Gore's speech was less purely anti-war than it was an indictment of Bush's lack of integrity, lying, and deceit (and sweet revenge for everyone who bought into the "Gore is a liar" hype during the 2000 election).

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[ElsewheresDaughter]

48. i'm thinking Kucinich too...it would be nice

[demnan]

7. Yeah, I agree

Picking Lieberman was a mistake to begin with (considering Gore's core beliefs), but he probably didn't know that at the time (did any of us? - I sure didn't). Of course Florida was lost through dubious influences.

Gore's sole purpose today was to set the stage to endorse a Democratic candidate.

[Brian Sweat]

8. That is only true

if the war is the only issue.

[BayCityProgressive]

12. He could always endorse Graham

I don't think Graham is too exciting but his ideology is pretty close to Gores from what I can tell. He could always wait for Clark too. I don't see him endorsing Dean or Kucinich.

[Khephra]

13. Graham's tricky

Because he was against the resolution because it didn't go far enough. That might clash with Gore's statements on the War on Terror.

[ewagner]

16. ...except...

Gore said that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and critical resources were diverted from Afghanistan to Iraq "at a critical time". Graham has been saying the same thing.

[Khephra]

19. Tricky, but not impossible

Because Gore goes so far on that issue, where Graham goes further with wanting to take on all sorts of terrorist groups. It could be done, but I don't think so. (all strictly imo)

[GBD4]

37. Exactly

I was listening to Gore saying that, and I'm like hmm sounds like Senator Graham speaking :)

<<The US pulled significant intelligence resources out of Pakistan and Afghanistan in order to get ready for the rushed invasion of Iraq and that disrupted the search for Osama at a critical time.>> Al Gore, August 7, Speech

<<Beginning 14 months ago, the military stopped calling it the war on terrorism and they called it a manhunt, as we shifted military and intelligence resources out of Afghanistan and Pakistan to get ready for the war in Iraq.>> Bob Graham, May 12, Face the Nation

[quinnox]

9. I would be surprised to see Gore endorse

before it is clear who the nominee is. If he does, I would suspect it will be Kerry, due to their connection of both having served in Vietnam.

[Khephra]

10. Kerry's another possiblity

But I really think it's going to be an anti-war candidate with ties to internet activism after today's speech.

[w13rd0]

27. He SELECTED MoveOn...

...to give this speech. I don't think he's going to be voting for someone that shirked their duty on the Iraq vote. Selecting MoveOn as the venue was a pretty clear statement...

[quinnox]

31. What shirked duty?

Gore said he was happy with Saddam being gone. And just because he chooses a certain organization to deliver a speech, doesn't mean anything. How many different organizations do you think Gore has given speeches at before.

[flpoljunkie]

36. This is perhaps wishful thinking on your part...

If you will recall, John Kerry could be ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTED by 75% of the MoveOn.org voters in the online primary if he received the Dem nomination--second only to Dean who received 86%.

And Kerry received less than 16% of the vote. This shows Kerry has broad support across the spectrum of the liberal MoveOn.org voters.

[burr]

40. I'm not sure if Kerry's shift on NAFTA has impressed Gore much.

But also I believe Gore won't make his endorsement until it is clear who the nominee will be. However, with this frontloaded primary schedule I think that will be early in the process. This means he will probably make an endorsement after the New Hampshire primary, but before the Tennessee primary. I could see him making an endorsement as early as February 7.

I loved his speech. It provides a morale boost for the primary candidates and for those who support them. It also provided a guide to the candidates in improving the tone of this race. More importantly, he provided a sharp difference from the negative overtones and attacks being made by Lieberman. This doesn't mean Gore will not endorse Lieberman, but I do believe he will endorse the frontrunner. But if Lieberman continues on his present course, he can forget an endorsement.

<http://www.vote-smart.org/election_president_state_primary_dates.php>

I'm still wondering who former Presidents Carter and Clinton will endorse, or if they will even publically get involved in the primary process.

[kentuck]

11. And Lieberman will disagree with Gore...

Gore has the message.

[CWebster]

14. He also complained about the congress:

"Maybe one reason that false impressions have a played a bigger role than they should is that both Congress and the news media have been less vigilant and exacting than they should have been in the way they have tried to hold the Administration accountable."

Kerry is the conventional insider and I would've expected that endorsement as a given, but I recall Barney Franks, early-on cheerleader for the Kerry candidacy, demanding that Gore get out of the way. Who knows how loyal Gore is to the Wash crowd after they burned him. He now weilds alot of influence over the political futures of those who didn't lift a finger in his past defense.

[Rose Siding]

35. Gore also referred

to the Congressional resolution as "approving war against Iraq" and spoke of the Congress not fulfilling its obligations to seperation of powers.

How can he endorse those who supported it :shrug:

[Dr. Mullion Blasto]

17. I also agree

he cannot endorse a guy like Lieberman, but as is so often the case with Gore, it is hard to figure out what he is up to. This speech is really, when you look at it, a less muscular version of Dean's message. As such, it is welcome. But one thought I have, and incidentally, one reason that drafting him or encouraging him to get back in is not a good idea, is where was this guy for the eight months, during which the most momentous and catastrophic events were transpiring every day and we never heard a peep out of him.

[cprise]

18. Lieberman is a sabotuer!

For starters--

* Criticised Gore's populist message during the campaign

* Insisted 'overseas' ballots WITHOUT POSTMARKS be COUNTED

[BayCityProgressive]

20. It wasn't Gores job to set things right

thos e8 months. It was the job of congress. The people who are actually elected to protect us. Gore is just a civilian now.

[eileen from OH]

22. 100%

Correct. Was Gore big with the DLC? Because it seemed that, reading between the lines, that he was refuting a LOT of what they've been spouting. Could he have been also saying, in effect, "back off" to Joe & the DLC?

I gotta say - I liked Al Gore while he was running but I LOVE him now that he's just being himself. Contrast his relaxed, confident, human performance today with the stilted, trying-to-be-everything-to-everyone Gore of the campaign. He will have a huge impact on the election and the party and is achieving statesmanlike stature.

Okay, this may be dumb (but no dumber than suggesting Colin Powell for Dem VP - geez) but does anyone think there's even a remote possibility that Gore would take a VP spot? What a fabulous thing that would be. I can think of a few reasons why not, but most seem to deal with ego (#1 wouldn't want to be overshadowed by him, it might be seen as come-down for Gore, etc) rather than anything else.

Just musing.

eileen from OH

[ewagner]

24. eileen

The same questions about DLC occurred to me.

Maybe some other posters can help us out on that one.

[charlie]

34. No, he wasn't listening to DLC advice

during the campaign. It's especially obvious now, since they (and Joe) have been citing Gore 2000 as the textbook example of how not to run a campaign.

Ironically, Gore was the DLC's first presidential candidate. They sponsored him in 1988 when they couldn't talk Nunn or Warner into the race. So he jumped in and tacked a bit further to the right than he ordinarily would be, per their advice. I don't know if that had any bearing on his later abandonment of the DLC philosophy.

[quinnox]

25. Yes, that is dumb (I mean this in a lighthearted way)

It would never happen.

[DemLikr]

28. Gore will be a GREAT elder statesman/advisor to our next

Democratic President.

He blew his chances with me when he folded in December 2000. I have no reason to ever trust him with the nomination again.

[BayCityProgressive]

30. Gore

Should either write a book, start a liberal grassroots media, or return to the US senate. He would make a great senate majority leader.:)

[HFishbine]

32. Supreme Court Nominee?

What sweet irony.

[dansolo]

41. What about Secretary of State?

After the disaster that is the Bush Administration, we will need someone with a lot of credibility to placate our allies that Bush has alienated. Al Gore would go a long way to restoring that trust.

[nolabels]

33. I hope he don't indorse anybody, and continues to slam * for everything

He placed blame directly on * today. * is lower than whale crap, who wants to disagree with me on that? (besides an Elected President even said so). If * had any dignity he would resign immediately

[Cha]

38. You got that right, Honey!

I'm listening to Gore's speech now! Wahoo! Love that Gore!

Stickin' it to the bushwa shit.

[KoKo]

39. Oops Keph....I posted before I saw your post.....we have similar thoughts.

or at least your thoughts are similar to my hubbies. I posted here a little while ago. Your post is more complete......but it is interesting about him not supporting Lieberman........that's what hubbies observation was.

I just enjoyed the Bush trashing and didn't make the connection.

[Bread and Circus]

42. good analysis.

.

[Starpass]

44. 100 to 1 he endorses Kerry

Why--'cause that it what the DNC wants and has not been too subtle about it. Gore, god love him, is still part of the machine and the machine wants Kerry and money he can raise. Al is not anti-war...he just doesn't like how Bush lied his way into one. He's a politician and he knows what the nominee is going to face in the general election. I'll bet a dime to a donoughut, he endorses Kerry. And I think the speech may be part of a lead up to it.

[blm]

45. I agree...he was saying that the Dems are joining together.

It was no coincidence in my eye that Clinton spoke in Chicago to the AFL-CIO honchos and they withheld the expected endorsement of Gephardt. And no coincidence that the Chicago Teamsters broke away and endorsed Kerry. No coincidence that the DLC shifted left drastically, away from Lieberman, to support Kerry behind the scenes.

Watch the AFSCME. I'll bet that they endorse Kerry shortly after his formal announcement rally in September.

[CWebster]

47. If Gore endorses Kerry

It will nullify his entire speech. The vast majority of presently energized Democratic voters will not be pleased.