Weekend Recap: Gore, Gore, and more Gore!

[Totally Committed]

Saturday came and The Big March got underway. The speakers sucked, they crowd was antsy, Jello Biafra was still pushing the Mumia is Innocent thing, Joan Baez sang, Cindy spoke, then they all marched, and all that was left was to decide how many actually showed up... Fete Accompli!

Soon afterward, the mood changed... like a kid with ADHD, and off his Ritalin:

"Let's move beyond Cindy NOW"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2113801&mesg_id=2113801


Okay.... So, move on, we did. At the speed of light! Cindy was history, and in our giddiness, whose name appeared? Al Gore. Again and again and again. The Al Gore "vibe" was in the air. You could smell it, taste it, feel it.... The Summer of '69 was the "Summer of Love", well, this weekend, my friends, the one I thought would be "The Weekend of Peace" turned out to be the "Gore-a-Palooza". I'm not saying that's necessarily bad, but it did come off as an unexpected case of mass hysteria. Just saying....:

"Al Gore's name is in the air -- it's fate, destiny, kizmet, karma"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2113039&mesg_id=2113039


"A Gore/Clark ticket in '08 makes me feel *hopeful.*"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2113651&mesg_id=2113651


"Clark/Gore, Gore/Clark, why?"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2114044


"Al Gore should start a new anti Iraq war political party for 2008..."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2114255

"Al Gore really a leader?"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2113982


A walk down memory lane... ah, the good ole days!:

"12/09/03- Al Gore Endorses Howard Dean for Democratic Pres. Nomination"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2113757&mesg_id=2113757


Hey! Let's make a T-Shirt!:

"wanted: a good quality recent pic of Al Gore :-)"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2111147


And, the well-written and heartfelt rebuttal:

"Al Gore, not for me, and I will tell you why"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2113660&mesg_id=2113660


This morning, the giddiness ebbing a bit, there is a request for some hard facts:

"Question: What is Al Gore's plan for ending the war in Iraq?"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2114677


Today's a new day. How will we, a group of the most highly-informed people on the Internet spend out energies? Will we sit around and chew on the "Al Gore for Savior" bone some more, or will we discuss the truly important and real issues of the day? I guess you'll all decide for yourselves, but, here's something to read that maybe you can think about (even momentarily) before you move on:

A nation of believers suffers a sudden crisis of faith

Excerpt:

The United States, this great bustling, guzzling, achieving, self-confident, richest country on earth, is touched today with uncommon uncertainty.

You see it right across the nation, four years after the disaster of September 11, 2001, and almost five weeks after the disaster of Hurricane Katrina.

You see it at the Greyhound bus station for Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, about an hour's drive from Peoria, thrice elected the All-America city. Producers of vaudeville tried their shows here before taking them to New York; new consumer goods are tested here; Richard Nixon famously asked his aides of the merit of certain policies: "Will it play in Peoria?"

At the bus station, the African-American driver's blunt manner draws disapproval from two white males. "He's got attitude," one says. The second drawls: "In the South we still hang people like that." The driver appears to have no worse attitude than any of his passengers. He orders a girl who looks about 16, with a baby in her arms, and her equally young-looking partner off the bus. They don't have the fare to travel on to Chicago. They accept the order without challenge, eyes downcast. They have come from God knows where in this God-loving country; now they are heading nowhere.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/a-nation-of-believers-suffers-a-sudden-crisis-of-faith/2005/09/23/1126982226173.html?oneclick=true

Race. Class. Poverty. These are still here with us. I ask you to consider them, write about them, hold our leaders accountable for the promises they have made and broken a thousand times. And, when you're done, consider that the tragedy in Darfur still rages on. We, alone, cannot eradicate any of these things. But, as a group we can act, write letters, make phone calls, send off e-mails. And, then we cand actually work to choose a candidate that we know will help us eradicate these things... Is it Wes Clark? I think it is. Is it Al Gore? Apparently some of you think it is. Is it Hillary? Only if the DLC decides there is a profit to be made from eradicating any of them. Is it Russ? Either of the Johns? Who knows?

I just know that here, in America, the problems of racism and classism and poverty will end on my watch, or I'll still be trying when I die. How about you? What are you up to today?

TC

[Apollo11]

1. confused ...

Discussing Al Gore is relevant because of the ideas and the values that Gore represents. For some of us it's not enough to be against Bush, we also want to be for something. We also desperately want to elect - not just a Democrat - but a genuinely progressive President next chance we get. Being realistic - it means waiting til 2008. But we need to be proactive. Not just waiting for what the political machine throws up, but choosing our own leaders. If we think that Gore is the best possible candidate, why wait until 2008? Why not get behind him now, and help bring about a situation where Gore will be able to enter and win the primaries.

But nobody is suggesting that it's "enough" to just wait for 2008 in the hope that our great leader will come and save the world. We must continue doing all we can - day in day out - to challenge, weaken, undermine and finally defeat this evil regime.

http://www.algore-08.com
http://algore2008.net
:)

[peacetalksforall]

2. The news about Al started with a report of his speech. When he keeps

getting standing ovations for what HE SAYS and because so many people believe he is right and because of the scholarliness of his work - people should talk about him.

He stood out of the way as he said he would, but now he appears to be coming out - with substance - with inspiring speeches - with solid facts - with words that are important for the country. Not for his pocketbook, not for personal glory, not for a death and destruction dumb joke show as we're getting from the WH.

He deserves to be talked about. What he is doing is what good citizens do.

On the other hand, what you combined in your thread about racism is true.

[Totally Committed]

6. He made a speech yesterday?

Saturday?

Why all the Gore stuff yesterday, though?

It's not like no one else made speeches this last week, and yes, there were threads about them.... Clark, Edwards, Kerry, Hillary -- all made speeches for one thing or another during the week, but there were no sort of impromtu annointment parties for them.

Let me say, that after the 2004 election, I am against "annointing" candidates just "because"... (fill in the blank). Show me the goods. Make me understand WHY. I just get worried when I see this place go all romantic and gooey-eyed over one person or another from time to time, and seemingly without reason.

We need to face the future clear-headed, and willing to look the truth in the eye. It was just too Fan Club here for my tastes and this post was my way of expressing my concern about that.

TC

[Adelante]

12. What does he say about getting out of Iraq?

What is he saying about this issue? That is what I want to know. Tell me what is his position? There is no way I will believe that Al Gore has not thought this through thoroughly. He must be sharing his thoughts in the speech you refer to, so what are they?

I already know he spoke out against the war in 2002 - what is he saying about how to end it?

Thanks.

[Totally Committed]

4. Quite honestly, I was taken aback by the suddenness of it all...

It just sort of came out of nowhere, and -- boom! -- there it was. Thread after thread after thread. I was just left wondering WHY? More accurately, WHY this weekend, why then???

It wasn't like there had been this great speech he'd given, or an amazing Op-Ed he'd written. There was no huge article about him in the Sunday papers, and no appearance on the Sunday talkers. It didn't seem to spring from anything. I found that fascinating. And, quite frankly, more than a bit unnerving. It showed me how willing we are, even here -- one of the most informed and intelligent groups like this -- to annoint a Savior. From what I saw yesterday, we are desperate for one.

I'm old enough and experienced enough to tell you, there is no "perfect" candidate for everyone. Bush has left this country in such a mess that the next POTUS will probably spend his/her entire presidency just cleaning up that mess. It will be a thankless, difficult job. We don't need a Savior, as much as we need a work horse. He/she needs to be electable (and not just in a squeaker, but a resounding way, to give him/her the power to demand the House and the Seante help clean up the mess Bush has made.) he/she needs to be someone who is ready to roll up his/her sleeves, jusmp into the fray with both feet, and everything else be damned.

It remains to be seen who that will be. I just watched totally bewildered as to WTF kicked off the Gore-gy. That's all.

TC

[peacetalksforall]

9. Why? Because some of us don't want Clinton, Kerry, Biden, Bayh

and some others.

Because what Gore is SAYING is more meaningful than Clinton, Kerry, Biden, Bayh for some of us.

[peacetalksforall]

15. There is something wrong in the Senate. It sometimes takes someone

on the outside to challenge and inspire the inside.

Gore gives me more hope than many of the others.

[renie408]

3. I am confused, too

I agree that racism, classism and poverty are all problems that need to be worked on in this country. I completely agree that what is happening in Darfur is gross and should be addressed by this country for humanitarian reasons.

But you lost me with the apparent bitterness about the Gore references. And just because every post here was not about Cindy Sheehan does not mean that she has been forgotten.

As for what I am doing today, I was going to solve the problem of world peace, cure cancer and eradicate poverty all by myself...but my schedule got clogged with raising two kids, working a job, taking care of a farm and, after all, Monday IS laundry day...so, I am doing everything I can to stay informed so that I can delegate those first three things to political candidates at all levels that I think will do it for me.

[Totally Committed]

5. I am not bitter about Gore...

I actually like him. I worked really hard for him in 2000. I am just bewildered by the lemming effect that sometimes carries this place away, enraptured by this person or that, semmingly desperate to find a savior that will step in and save the Party, the country.... you know, be the one.

I just don't think it's gonna happen that way. And, I found the sudden groundswell mystifying.

TC

[peacetalksforall]

18. I wish I were your neighbor. Great slant on things. Great post. n/t

[JNelson6563]

7. I think it's been great!

I've really enjoyed reading about President Gore's activities lately. I'm glad to see him getting the recognition he deserves (IMO) here at DU. I mean, he was elected President, had it stolen and then has had to watch while the country is utterly ruined. He's trying to help make it better, as he always has.

I've been seeing lots of posts about different Dems who are doing good stuff, I welcome them all.

:toast: Julie

[thereismore]

8. I think it's time that another leader takes over from Cindy.

We need an established politician (someone that cannot be labeled "freak") to take over the liberal cause. People feel it could be either Gore or Clark, or both. That's why the Gore/Clark 08 dream ticket appears. None of them is soiled with the war. None of them had any republican filth drip on their shoulders. I don't want to see anyone who voted to give the dimwit war powers run for president. Hillary, you too can forget it. There is noone clean among you DLC's.

[FrenchieCat]

10. Didn't Gore show up at the rally on Friday?

and didn't he meet with Cindy Sheehan on Saturday?

I thought that's why the numerous threads.

[Adelante]

14. Did he?

That's interesting. I hadn't heard that. Good for him.

[FrenchieCat]

17. Ok...well I can't find anything on that.....

Although I googled it!

[second edition]

11. Not for me! I still really admire John Kerry.

Gore faded away after the 2000 election, not saying much until 2004. Kerry has constantly been there fighting for us even though he could have retreated and faded away in the senate for four years too.
I also can not understand how Gore could have picked Lieberman over Kerry as his VP choice in the 2000 election.

[derby378]

13. Gore couldn't even take Tennessee back in 2000

If he could, we wouldn't be sitting here discussing 9/11, torture at Abu Ghraib, or FEMA's piss-poor response to Katrina - because none of those would ever have happened.

Gore tried, bless his heart. He should have taken the White House in 2000. But he blundered during the campaign, and he underestimated the neo-con machine that put Nero in power. It's time to move beyond Gore and cultivate some new leaders.

[Totally Committed]

16. Okie-dokie!

Sounds like I'm the only one who was wondering about this, and since no one here seems too conflicted by it all, I will leave you to talk amongst yourselves.

TC

[Clark2008]

19. As a Tennessean who loves both Gore and Clark,

I found it odd, too, TC. I also didn't have any idea where the "Rah Rah, Al Gore" threads were coming from.

That said, Gore and Clark are about the only people I find exciting enough to actually beat whoever the Freep Faction nominates. But I'd prefer Clark.

[welshTerrier2]

20. the "democratic wing of People Magazine"

well said, TC !!

we are literally drowning in excessive focus on candidates and personalities ... our processes stink ... and, to be fair, there are numerous thoughtful posts on the issues but they are far too few and are often overshadowed by the cascade of candidate-focussed or anti-bush posts ...

instead of the endless droning of i support Clark or Kerry or Gore or whomever, we need to examine their ideas, and our own ideas, in the marketplace of ideas ... maybe it would be better to not even mention whose ideas they are ... e.g., if you support Kerry, take one of his positions or speeches and post it anonymously ... make your case for the idea and not the person ... see how that holds up under scrutiny ... maybe we could actually influence a candidate to modify their ideas based on our discussions here ...

if someone is the best candidate, their ideas should do very well ... i think there is so much bias in candidate preferences that many of the discussions on issues are determined solely by who expressed them ... that means there is no, or at least little, integrity to DU's discussion process ...

i almost never see a candidate supporter honest enough to say they disagree with the candidate they're supporting on even a single issue ... to me, that process lacks integrity ...

what we need here is a process of reform ... we need to start with our views, not just a candidate's views, on the issues ... we need to say what we think and why we think it ... we need to broaden the discussion by hearing new ideas from thousands of DU'ers ... instead, we get like 3 or 4 ideas at best that do little more than parrot back what some leading Democrat said ...

it's not that i'm for making candidates become invisible ... it's not that their ideas shouldn't be included in the discussion or that they shouldn't receive credit or criticism for what they've said ... but i see far too little independent thinking and that hurts us as a community and as a party ... the theme here is that, if two heads are better than one, a whole community of DU'ers should be better than a handful of candidates ...

your post is very important ... too bad it's flying so far below DU's radar ...