Why are so many people here convinced that Gore will run,

[pnwmom]

even though he says he won't?

And, realistically, given the front-loading of the primary season, how long could he delay before entering the race?

[Labors of Hercules]

1. We have amazing perception of the obvious?

:shrug:

[saltpoint]

2. I think Gore is well respected because he's earned the respect.

Unlike the little puke who cheated to defeat him in Florida 6 years ago.

It's less a question of he will vs. he won't and more a case of whether people perceive in him the necessary qualities Bush lacks.

And Bush lacks them in megatons.

[pnwmom]

19. I both like and respect Al Gore. I'm just wondering

why we shouldn't believe him when he says he's not running.

[saltpoint]

25. Politicians don't often give yes-or-no answers to reporters' questions.

Al Gore has followed that tradition when reporters have pestered him with questions about his 08 intentions.

His reponses have been beautifully sculpted to include numerous maybes, ifs, and ya-never-knows.

[pnwmom]

28. The answers I've seen lately have looked like just plain "no."

[saltpoint]

30. I'm not sure about that. Gore has been saying "I have no plans to run for

higher office."

Which means plans might later be drafted for just that project.

His sentences leave the door cracked open should he choose to run.

I'm certain he's interested in the job, certain he'd enjoy very substantial support among state Democratic party operatives, and certain he could raise a heap of cash quickly.

[Phredicles]

3. Some of us just really, really HOPE he will;

With his big name recognition and resulting fund-raising prowess, I'd say he has at least several months to make up his mind, if he is still working on that. The first vote is still some 11 months off, isn't it?

[theoldman]

4. Jesus, because God will tell him to run.

Just joking. I think that a lot of us would like to see him run because he has the best chance of getting us out of the mess we are in.

[ElizabethDC]

5. Because they hope he will

and, honestly, that kind of support could persuade him to enter the race (though I'm not entirely convinced that he will enter, and I really don't care either way).

[Labors of Hercules]

7. ouch, that last line was a little harsh...

what makes you say that?

[ElizabethDC]

10. Oh, I didn't mean for it to sound harsh

I like Gore a lot, I'm just completely neutral toward the possibility of his entering the race. For some reason, he just doesn't excite me as a candidate at the moment. But if he were the nominee, I'd be a proud and enthusiastic supporter.

[illinoisprogressive]

6. It's guilt and wishful thinking. I personally feel he will not bother with it.

[Labors of Hercules]

9. guilt... hmmmm... interestingly wrong attempt at emotional empathy, but thanks for playing IP,

:wtf:

[Jackpine Radical]

14. Interesting pickup on the empathy trick.

[IsItJustMe]

8. Wishfull thinking is my guess. Seems like some don't like the choices we now have. EOM

[Poiuyt]

11. Maybe it's because he hasn't really said that he won't run

He keeps leaving the door open just a crack.

He could probably wait till the fall, though he needs to be careful about all the money being committed to the other candidates.

[pnwmom]

20. Not just money either, as I understand it.

The best campaign people are also being scooped up.

[Poiuyt]

21. Money, campaign people, endorsements, etc

[Labors of Hercules]

35. And everyone seems to think that Gore doesn't already have these people in place...

His current staff and support team is enormous. Do you really think he would be "leaving his options open" if he hasn't already got the right people at his call to support a run? No folks, it just doesn't make sense to keep a foot in the door if he hasn't already laid the groundwork to spring it open when the time comes.

[Vinnie From Indy]

12. It's the liquor talkin'

well...maybe not for everybody. Cheers!

[Ethelk2044]

13. ?

He said he does not want to go up against the Clinton machine. I was wondering the same thing why people keep thinking he is going to enter the race.

[w4rma]

15. Interesting. All the more reason to keep Hillary from doing well in the primary. (nt)

[NYCGirl]

16. And where did he say that? Never heard that at all. Link please? NT

[NYCGirl]

32. I'm still waiting for my proof on that statement. NT

[Ninja Jordan]

17. They're crazy from the heat.

[dddem]

18. not convinced,

merely hopeful.

[shawmut]

22. I thought he'd be in by now

if he was going to run i thought he'd be in early like everyone else. to me it makes no sense for him to wait until late ... we went through a similar thing with Mario Cuomo in 1988 and 1992 and he never got in. I don't think Gore will at this point, either.

[pnwmom]

24. Me, too. I would think he would be in by now if he were planning to run.

What's the advantage to waiting? He's losing campaign people, fund raising time, etc.

If he's expecting to come in as some kind of savior of the party, I don't think it will happen. There are already several other strong candidates.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

23. Jimmy Carter is working very hard at talking him into it.

And he's a pretty convincing guy.

[AshevilleGuy]

26. I 'm not convinced at all, just hoping he will run.

I AM very very fearful that once again the Dem power players will install another nominee who can not win. It has that feel to it again... :eyes:

[ProudDad]

27. Because he HASN'T said he wasn't going to run

and he'd probably be the best of a so-so lot...

At least he's had 8 years of real world experience instead of spending all that time in the cloud-cuckoo land called Washington, DC...

If I can't have Dennis, I'll settle for Al...

[pnwmom]

29. I think the field this year is stronger than in many year's past.

And much stronger than the Repubs.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

33. Well, I haven't ruled out running for President either. Have you?

I think Al Gore would make a perfectly good presidential candidate if he did decide to run. I don't think he's going to.

[NYCGirl]

34. I've never heard of you. It'd take a lot of time and money if you decided to run.

[Apollo11]

31. Gore is keeping his options open

First of all, I believe that Al Gore is the best qualified person for the job, in terms of his experience, knowledge, intelligence and judgement.

I am not convinced that Gore will run, but I do hope he will be the Democratic nominee for President.

I am dreaming of a Gore-Obama ticket in 2008. But there is no hurry for Gore to enter the race.

I think Al Gore is keeping his options open right now, watching how the "pre-season" goes. I don't think he yet knows what he will do. My guess is that the chance of him entering the race is somewhere between 20% and 35%.

Gore's current line - "I have no plans to be a candidate" - tells us that right now (today) he has no plans to run. But it doesn't prevent him from changing his plans and making new plans during the coming months.

Gore is doing a great job raising public awareness about the climate crisis. Winning an Oscar means that even more people will hopefully see An Inconvenient Truth. He will testify at a Congressional Hearing on March 21st.

Gore is also getting ready to bring out his next book The Assault on Reason - to be published in May. The theme of this book - why we need better decision-making in government - is very timely (whether he runs or not).

Gore is also leading Live Earth with concerts in 7 cities across the globe on 7/7/07 -- all with the aim of raising awareness and pushing for action to address the climate crisis.

Depending on how things pan out, and the reaction to his book, Gore can consider his situation over the summer and announce his decision (or if you prefer - "change his mind") sometime in the fall.

It all depends on the circumstances. In September, if the race for the Dem nomination is still wide open and Hillary's campaign is in trouble, it might create the conditions for Gore to enter the race.

Don't forget that Bill Clinton did not kick-off his campaign until October 1991. But Al Gore already has nationwide respect and name recognition that other wannabees can only wish for!

I say that Gore can wait until Sunday November 4th. Exactly one year out from the election, and 10 weeks before Iowa caucuses.

Gore would have no problem raising enough money to compete. I'm not worried about the staffing issue. I'm sure there are good people who would quit other candidate's campaigns to go and work for Al Gore.

Unless and until Gore endorses another candidate, we have to assume that he is keeping his options open. So it is too soon for those of us who prefer Gore to switch our allegiance.


Let's all find ways to show our support for Al Gore! :patriot:

Read Al's blog: http://blog.algore.com

Help Al Gore lobby Congress: www.algore.com/cards.html

Get ready for Live Earth on 7/7/07: www.liveearth.org

Sign the petitions at www.algore.org and www.draftgore.com

:kick: