Newsweek: Gore on the Un-Campaign Trail

[babylonsister]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17662279/site/newsweek/

Gore on the Un-Campaign Trail

Newsweek

March 26, 2007 issue - Since the documentary he starred in, "An Inconvenient Truth," won an Academy Award, speculation has only increased about Al Gore's potential entry into the presidential race. He is not taking any overt steps toward running, and that may be the cleverest strategy of all. A Democratic strategist sent Gore a memo sometime ago suggesting he announce, but forgo the traditional campaign trail and continue promoting the cause of global warming. He would be the nonpolitical candidate. Word came back: Gore isn't running. But in fact he is. Whether it results in an official run depends on what the field looks like six months from now. Laurie David, who helped bankroll Gore's film, and whose "personal fantasy" is that he run, says that when she presses him, he's always coy and says his cell phone is breaking up. "I believe him when he says he doesn't have any intention of running," David told NEWSWEEK. "But I also believe the door is not completely shut."

As part of his noncampaign, the former VP is returning this week to Capitol Hill for the first time since he left the White House to testify before the House and Senate about global warming. Gore will warn that the problem is accelerating so fast that any solution must be more than incremental. "The danger is they'll do some small fix that allows them to claim credit without facing up to the problem," says an adviser who did not want to be on the record seeming to disparage Congress.

A leading indicator of his intentions could be Gore's waistline. The theory is that slimming down will be a signal he intends to run. "He has lost a few pounds, and Hillary can read into that what she wants," says a longtime adviser who declined to be identified discussing his boss's figure. Gore has always been a voracious eater, and at 58, the pounds don't come off so easily. He is trying to be healthier, working out daily when he can.

more...

[DesertRat]

1. I was just about to post this article

As a Gore supporter, I found it very encouraging.

:kick:

[MADem]

2. HA....I "KNEW" there was a reason to stay undecided.

I usually like to study the candidates ahead of the debates, pick one, and do a little legwork for them. Hey, you never know. This time, I vowed to stay in the undecided column UNLESS Gore jumped in, at which point I'd work for him.

People laugh at the 'waistline' business, but it's true--even Bill Richardson loses the gut (or shrinks it) when he's on the trail. And does the title of this book sound like a manifesto to anyone other than me?

Gore is also finishing a book that sure seems like a prelude to something. "The Assault on Reason," to be published in May, is about "the forces in society that are undermining democracy," says Roy Neel, Gore's chief of staff. The manuscript has gone through three rewrites in the past month because of new Bush administration scandals. Gore undoubtedly knows that he'd lose his iconic status the minute he got in the race. But Earth Day is coming up. Laurie David and Sheryl Crow will lead a college tour that will culminate with a rally in Washington. Perfect setting for a presidential announcement, but Gore won't be there. He'll be conducting a virtual reunion of the thousand "climate messengers" he has trained to carry on his crusade.

[NYCGirl]

4. Sounds like a manifesto to me, too. Description of the book from Amazon:

A visionary analysis of how the politics of fear, secrecy, cronyism, and blind faith has combined with the degration of the public sphere to create an environment dangerously hostile to reason

At the time George W. Bush ordered American forces to invade Iraq, 70 percent of Americans believed Saddam Hussein was linked to 9/11. Voters in Ohio, when asked by pollsters to list what stuck in their minds about the campaign, most frequently named two Bush television ads that played to fears of terrorism.

We live in an age when the thirty-second television spot is the most powerful force shaping the electorate's thinking, and America is in the hands of an administration less interested than any previous administration in sharing the truth with the citizenry. Related to this and of even greater concern is this administration's disinterest in the process by which the truth is ascertained, the tenets of fact-based reasoning-first among them an embrace of open inquiry in which unexpected and even inconvenient facts can lead to unexpected conclusions.

How did we get here? How much damage has been done to the functioning of our democracy and its role as steward of our security? Never has there been a worse time for us to lose the capacity to face the reality of our long-term challenges, from national security to the economy, from issues of health and social welfare to the environment. As The Assault on Reason shows us, we have precious little time to waste.

Gore's larger goal in this book is to explain how the public sphere itself has evolved into a place hospitable to reason's enemies, to make us more aware of the forces at work on our own minds, and to lead us to an understanding of what we can do, individually and collectively, to restore the rule of reason and safeguard our future. Drawing on a life's work in politics as well as on the work of experts across a broad range of disciplines, Al Gore has written a farsighted and powerful manifesto for clear thinking.

http://www.amazon.com/Assault-Reason-Al-Gore/dp/1594201226/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-0446630-8876045?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174231367&sr=8-1

[Kahuna]

6. Sounds like a pre-emptive media strike to me..

:applause:

[The Count]

11. Yup, it is! They REALLY don't want him!

[NYCGirl]

20. No, Gore's book is a pre-emptive strike. (And it's brilliant.) NT

[The Count]

21. That too. But MSM is ready to pounce - and this article is the proof.

[RestoreGore]

3. This is the kind of corporate media BS we don't need right now

They are once again belittling his sincerity on this crisis. But why am I not surprised?

[babylonsister]

7. Newsweek is keeping the buzz going. That's probably win-win for Gore. nt

[RestoreGore]

8. This is about our PLANET n/t

[babylonsister]

9. I was talking about his possible candidacy. nt

[RestoreGore]

12. I know, and I stated this is about our planet, not cheapening his testimony for partisan reasons

As I see the media has started to do already with some joining hands with them.

[Milo_Bloom]

17. Wrong again!

Al Gore has learned this lesson. Whenever you use the crazy "PLANET" argument, you lose the war. THE PLANET is fine and in no danger. You have to frame the argument in terms of HUMAN SURVIVAL which is seperate from THE PLANET.

THE PLANET could be 300 degrees higher and probably still sustain life. Humans would be gone, but the planet as an eco-system would survive.

Whenever someone of prominence says "save the planet" they set the movement back another few years, because they discredit themselves.

[MADem]

10. They did two things--kept his name up front, and plugged his book.

The third thing they did was "Keep Hope Alive" for those who want to see the man get what was stolen from him.

If I were on his personal staff, I'd be happy with the piece.

[RestoreGore]

13. Sad when a people need such speculation to focus on an important issue

Speaks volumes to me.

[MADem]

14. A lot of people are just stupid. And a lot don't pay attention.

Maybe twenty percent, on a good day, actually get involved.

It's just the way it is. I've stopped worrying about it, because worrying or railing is unlikely to change anything. If the rest of those bastards don't want to put their oar in, well, I'll represent for 'em.

It's the old "Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way" attitude!!

[Turn CO Blue]

19. K, R & B!

[Kahuna]

5. Please, oh pretty please....

Run, Al, run!!! :loveya:

[AtomicKitten]

15. we should be so lucky

[seafan]

16. All I have to say about Gore's losing a few pounds is

:bounce: and :kick:

It's a very good sign for our future.

[Milo_Bloom]

18. Its a done deal.

If you had any doubt left as to whether Al Gore is running... this SHOULD remove any doubt.

Its funny. Everytime the "rumblings" die down, there is another story like this to stoke the coals a little bit more... and Gore will not issue a denial. If Gore wanted to, he could stop all the speculation, just as he did in 2002... but he won't.

September is the time... and the shortened primary season will benefit him greatly. People are already tiring of the "front runners", and by September, a new broom will sweep clean... The the primaries just around the corner, there won't be enough time for the media to play its usual build up, tear down. They will still be caught up in the "Al Gore comes from no where to take over the top spot" when the primaries are done and he is the nominee...

Brilliant!!!!!

[Apollo11]

22. In Gore We Trust

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.

Gore's current line - "I have no plans to be a candidate" - means 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 and the kind of changes we need to make - both at an individual level and also in terms of public policy. Winning an Oscar means that even more people will hopefully see An Inconvenient Truth. He will testify at a major Congressional Hearing in Washington DC on Wednesday (March 21st).

Meanwhile, 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!

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 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:

[flaliberal]

23. Run, Al, Run

Please help save the planet!

[Hawkowl]

24. Hallelujah!

The closer Obama gains on Hillary and the shriller and more evasive she sounds, the more likely Gore is going to run. He IS going to run and he is going to win by the largest margin in history.

[Uncle Joe]

25. According to this paragraph even Al has a hard time keeping up

with Bush administration scandals.


"Gore is also finishing a book that sure seems like a prelude to something. "The Assault on Reason," to be published in May, is about "the forces in society that are undermining democracy," says Roy Neel, Gore's chief of staff. The manuscript has gone through three rewrites in the past month because of new Bush administration scandals. Gore undoubtedly knows that he'd lose his iconic status the minute he got in the race. But Earth Day is coming up. Laurie David and Sheryl Crow will lead a college tour that will culminate with a rally in Washington. Perfect setting for a presidential announcement, but Gore won't be there. He'll be conducting a virtual reunion of the thousand "climate messengers" he has trained to carry on his crusade."

[Auntie Bush]

26. It will be even more telling that he will run when Tipper also loses a few pounds. n/t

[flaminbats]

27. Gore's waistline..a leading indicator?

:eyes:

sorry, but I have never considered his weight a problem...and I voted for Clinton!

Gore certainly has allot of options. He could run against Lamar Alexander for the Senate in 2008, he could run for President again, he could run for Governor of Tennessee in 2010, or he could run against Bob Corker for the Senate in 2012.

I hope Gore stays active in politics, we certainly need him to help rebuild our party. But if Gore runs I hope he learned some lessons from the last two elections. Modesty doesn't defeat Republicans, it only fuels their attacks. Tax and spend isn't an evil word...who do we want to run our government, Republicans who spend more and tax less or Democrats who tax more and spend less?

if Gore plans to run he should take a lesson from others like John Edwards on Iraq. Saving Social Security and Medicare are not separate issues from universal healthcare. We can cover everyone, giving young taxpayers a reason to pay a higher FICA tax..or we can give young voters nothing, while letting Social Security collapse with the retirement of the babyboomers.

unless we have a candidate willing to confront these issues directly, we can't win the White House in 2008!