I have decided to start organizing for Gore 2008. Join me?

[crispini]

Well, folks, it's a new year and for those of us who are die-hard political junkies it's time to start thinking about 2008. No, it's not too early. I recently got an email for an Edwards 2008 local group AND another email for an Obama 2008 group in my city. So it's time!

Now, my heart's really with Al Gore, ever since I saw "An Inconvenient Truth." Getting him in the Oval Office where he rightly belongs just has the ring of poetic justice to me. It sounds like a happy ending to a good novel. It brings me a sense of closure. Now, I know that Mr. Gore himself is not openly running, but when I saw him speak, he was indeed a bit coy about it - he didn't utterly rule it out. So I would like to encourage him. As a result, I am now the proud organizer of our local Al Gore 2008 meetup group.

The way I figure it is, we can do things like sign petitions and write letters encouraging him to run, and we can ALSO talk about global climate change. For example, in my first meetup, I want to get everyone to write a letter, sign a petition, AND, pledge to go zero carbon in the next six months. So it's a win-win. Two for the price of one!

If you are a Gore supporter on this board -- and I know there are many of you -- I'd like to call on you to join a meetup in your area, or to start a meetup in your area. You can look for meetups at:

http://draftalgore.meetup.com/

If there's not a meetup near you, the fine people at www.algore.org will PAY FOR YOUR MEETUP ORGANIZER MEMBERSHIP. That's a $72 value! And if you've never hosted a meetup before, it is easy. They have lots of ideas about things that you can do to get membership going, sample agendas etctera.

So let's ROCK THE HOUSE! This is going to be FUN! :woohoo:

p.s. if you like the idea, please K&R! :D

[Double T]

1. Gore/Edwards in 2008

[Ninja Jordan]

9. Edwards as the running mate again would be silly.

[evlbstrd]

2. I'm already there.

Our first meetup is tomorrow.

[crispini]

5. Yay! That's excellent news!

Where are you? I'll be excited to find out how it goes!

[evlbstrd]

7. Same to you!

We're in KC. I'll add our picture afterwards.
Re-elect Al Gore!

[Mabus]

38. I attended the one in KC - wow!

It was at evlbstrd's house. We got there late because of me. I was driving and missed my turn. We (the Admiral, classicfilmfan and our "DU associate," Rex who hangs out with DU'ers but won't sign up) got lost but eventually made it to evl's about 15 minutes late. All in all there were 10 of us there. In fact, there were more people who showed up then the number that signed up for the meetup. That's always a pleasant surprise.

I think we are off to a great start here in the heartland. I took my camera but my batteries were dead. Proud2Blib was there and took some pictures that she or the Admiral will get posted.

fwiw, we're having a Gore meetup here in Lawrence (Kansas) this coming Tuesday night. We know of at least six people who said they would come but, once again, we're expecting more than that. Our meetup is scheduled right before the weekly Drinking Liberally group. In the past, we've had people show up early for DL who sat down with us and wanted to know what they could do to help convince Al to run. I can't wait to show them a copy of this article from today's WaPo http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/05/AR2007010502379.html (Gore Leaves Door Ajar for 2008).

[crispini]

39. Oh, what a great report!

Thanks for checking in! Yay!

[Mabus]

40. I'll admit it

I wandered over to evl's computer during the meeting and saw this thread listed on the "Greatest" page. I wanted to give it a K&R but I didn't want to log out of evl's account & sign-in with mine without his permission, afterall, it was his computer. He was busy and I didn't want to interrupt him. I made a mental note to find this thread and give it a K&R when I got home. To make a long story short, after the Draft Al Gore meetup the entire group went en masse to DFHA's "Majority Party" to help set the agenda for the up-coming year. After that, we DU'ers went back by evl's and hung out for a few more hours. It's close to a 50 minute drive to evl's house to ours so we didn't get back home until the wee hours of the morning. I barely had enough energy to make it from the car to the house. When we got to the door we were greeted with three dogs who demanded their evening walk. I got home, brushed my teeth and collapsed. Oy vey, it was a long (but fun) evening and I missed giving it a recommend :cry: but I've obviously kicked it (more than once) ;)

[crispini]

41. Good for ya'll!

I am excited about this. :bounce:

[Hun Joro]

3. I know he has said he doesn't want to run

And I'm sure what happened in 2000 was personally painful for him, but I believe he will see it as his duty to lead this country and he will not shirk that duty. Not for any love of power, but for a deep love of country. We need Al Gore to help put this nation back together.

[tavalon]

10. Yeah, that's where I'm at

When I saw An Inconvenient Truth, I realized that he understands the moral imperative and that he will run. That said, I think he needs to know he doesn't run alone.

[bahrbearian]

4. Put me on the list.

K&R

[crispini]

6. Good news!

Have you found a meetup near you, or do you think you might start one?

[JNelson6563]

8. K&R!

I would love to vote for President Gore again. I've wanted him to run everytime he's made a speech since 2000. I think he's brilliant.

Julie

[il_lilac]

11. Looking for something in my area

the site is not working right now. I want Gore re-elected as pres so bad I can taste it- and I feel he is one of our last hopes to keep our planet viable.

[crispini]

15. Meetup.com is working for me!

That's strange that it's not working for you... have you tried just going straight to meetup.com and logging in from there? :shrug:

[il_lilac]

19. just got on

might have just been my pc. No meetups in my area- will have to decide whether to start one up...

[crispini]

20. Please consider starting one!

Check your PM. I sent you some more information about the free Meetup membership. :)

[Son Of Spy]

12. I'm there man!

I was for Kucinich in 04.

Al Gore is who we need.

With The REAL Dems in charge in Congress & the White House
just watch our jets!




:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

[RiverStone]

13. K&R! GORE 08!

Gore has been is my # 1 choice for 08 all along. Will be an active participant where possible in my rural part of the world. There have been numerous thread's on Gore's wonderful zero carbon stratigies...may want to (on edit) include these links here as well.

Thanks crispini! :)

peace~

[crispini]

14. That is a really good idea.

Here are some of my links:

ALL of the "unofficial" Draft Gore websites:
http://www.draftgore.com/
http://www.draftgore2008.org/
http://www.algore.org/ --> This is the one that is giving a coupon for starting Meetup groups!!!

Climate Change Resources
Official "Inconvenient Truth" website: http://www.climatecrisis.net/ ** LOTS of good links and resources here **
Join the virtual march on Washington at: http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/

Places to purchase carbon offsets and/or participate in mitigation programs:
http://www.gocarbonzero.org/
http://www.terrapass.com/
http://www.nativeenergy.com

[RiverStone]

16. That's better yet!

Added a couple more bookmarks.

:yourock:

[crispini]

21. Wow, check out what I found!

http://renu.citizenre.com/index.php

Very easy and not too expensive way to get solar for your house! I looked through the whole website and I may very well give them a call. It's a good idea!

[RiverStone]

17. .

[RevCheesehead]

18. Let's re-elect President Gore!!

:woohoo:

[Jersey Ginny]

22. I think he is more effective where he is now.

I may stand alone on this enthusiastic thread, but I want to move forward-away from Bill, Hillary, the Bushes, Al, and also John Kerry. I want a fresh face for 08. Some popular governor. I think Al's movie was fantastic. I am getting solar panels as a result of being so inspired. However, that is the point, he is able to inspire outside of the political spin machine. I hope he stays doing exactly what he is doing.

[frogcycle]

25. STRONGLY disagree

Al Gore is the one man on the planet with the intellect, drive and instinct to pull the country and the planet back from the brink.

What he demonstrated by "finding something useful to do" after the 2000 debacle is that he is not a one-trick pony like most politicians. If there is a job to do, he'll tackle it, he'll consult with scientists, or generals, or diplomats, whatever subject matter experts he needs, get the facts, understand the facts, and make good decisions. And he'll explain the decisions to the public as if we deserved an explanation (we do). If there is sacrifice needed, whether for the environment or for a war, he'll explain it and have the country behind him (except for the limbaughers - but screw them).

He won't get the "big head" over being "the decider". Like Carter, he'll probably carry his own garment bag.

The challenge we are going to face in recovering from this 8-yr nightmare is incalculable. The fence-mending that will be needed with the other countries of the world - both friends and enemies - will call for an experienced veteran like Gore. He has met with many, many world leaders, has their respect. He won't need to "learn the ropes". He will step in to the job and be masterful on day one.

[crispini]

26. I know a lot of people are saying that, and I hear you.

However, I think that a run for the American Presidency is one darn big bully pulpit. LOTS of publicity. LOTS of chances to reach people and get the messsage out. And, if he were to win (and I think he very well could), he would be in the ideal position to push Congress, push the American people, and reach out to other nations and lead the effort.

Imagine Al Gore's weekly radio address on the status of the fight against global warming! Imagine the SOTU about the environmental update?! I get chills just thinking about it.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

23. Count me in!

Kickety Kick!:kick:

[crispini]

27. Coolio! Did you find a meetup near you? nt

[tinfoilinfor2005]

29. No, but I signed the petition!

I'm a little removed from civilization out here in the islands, but if he were to run, I'd support him physically, spiritually and financially all the way. :)

[crispini]

30. Well, good job!

Please also consider writing Mr. Gore a letter encouraging him to run. We will be doing this at our meetups in February and March. You can send your letters to:

Office of the Honorable Al Gore
2100 West End Ave., Suite 620
Nashville, TN 37203

[derby378]

24. You talked me into it. I'm in.

BTW, I think they got your last name wrong in the Meetup you organized.

Either way, it doesn't matter. I'm in.

:toast:

[crispini]

28. Thanks Danny! My first member! Weeeeeeeeee! nt

[derby378]

33. You're developing a little following, y'know...

Consider this another kick!

[paulk]

31. I think it comes down to this -

would he be a more effective advocate on global warming and the environment outside of government or inside?

Bush is going to leave a huge mess, both foreign and domestic, once he's left the White House. Any President that takes his place is going to be spending most of their time dealing with that mess - and, because of the nature of democratic government - the environment won't necessarily be at the top of the list. I do understand that a President can have a huge impact, especially on the topics he chooses to push - but, I seriously doubt that a Gore presidency would be able to devote anywhere near the time to his pet issues as he would as a private citizen.


I would certainly give Gore a great deal of consideration if he chooses to run, but I'm not convinced at this point that his candidacy is the best option, either for himself or for the country.

[crispini]

32. The presidency has so much power to frame the debate.

Yes, Al Gore is doing wonderful work outside this country as an advocate for the environment, too, but IMO the other countries around the world don't NEED him as much as we do. For example, we haven't signed Kyoto, and we are responsible for about 25% of greenhouse gas type emissions in the WORLD, so we really are a disproportionately large part of the problem.

Will the next president have to spend some time cleaning up Shrub's mess? Why, yes. But I disagree that it will be MOST of the time. Imagine a Gore administration with the power to make appointments to the EPA, pushing Congress to ratify Kyoto, and putting together economic packages to encourage the development of sustainable resources. Imagine President Gore giving the State of the Union and including a BIG chunk of time about global climate change. Imagine President Gore giving a weekly radio address to encourage the American public to adopt sustainable habits.

Frankly, I really don't see why people think he can be more effective on the outside. President Gore devoting 25% of his energy to the climate change problem would be 100% more than we get now, and probably 75% more than any other candidate is going to give us.

I guess I'm biased, I really do think that global climate change is our #1 most important issue facing ourselves today -- hello, we are talking about our survival as a SPECIES here -- and I would like to see President Gore squarely in the driver's seat, not over to one side saying, "Hey, let's turn left up here... LEFT, we need to go left!" :7

[helderheid]

34. Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 hours

[crispini]

35. Yeah, it's a wee bit old now.

But thanks for the kick! I have 6 people who have already said they will attend my meetup! Also, there are 21 meetups nationwide now, which is more than any other candidate on meetup.com, except John Kerry! :bounce:

[helderheid]

36. is Utah covered?

[crispini]

37. I found one from Salt Lake City.

http://draftalgore.meetup.com/23/

Just started yesterday! Are you from there? I bet that person would be thrilled to have someone join!

[helderheid]

42. I'm in a suburb (about 30 miles south) :)