I'm not trying to say we told you so, but. . . .

[Mabus]

Remember a few short weeks ago when people were posting that it was too late for Gore to get in the race? There were several of us who kept saying, "wait until after Labor Day" and then we said that things would start to heat up and make it more plausible for Gore to enter the race. Well, I don't think any of us want to say we told you so but we did.

Look at what's happening. The day after Labor Day (and right on schedule) Vanity Fair published an article about the media's treatment of Gore in the 2000 election. The story was well-written and got people talking. I think it shook up the media more than they have let on because it is what us netizens have been talking about since 2000. It also exposed their penchant for pettiness and once again made the case how the media outlets can and do manipulate public opinion about people and issues. Then there was another article in the Harvard magazine. Then there were the Emmys. Then Gore spoke at the UN to the leaders of the world (while Georgie pouted and decided to throw his own climate change party). Now there is a second VF article about the 2000 race and sets Gore up as the sympathetic good guy while taking several swipes at the Clintons.

Which brings us to now. Now there is the build-up to the Nobel Peace Prize and a countdown to the filing dates. This is the most crucial time of all and yet it is just the beginning. It is the beginning of what many of us have been working on for the past few years: Getting Gore in the race.

Trust me, there will be more publicity on the efforts to draft Gore and it will be national attention. And it comes at the ideal time. Between now and the end of the month people will begin to look take either their first real look at the candidates already running or they will look again a second time at the ones they've been leaning toward. Some of them will begin to have doubts about the electability of their choices and the polls.

On the other hand, there are a lot of people who have been paying some attention (even marginally) to politics over the summer. They're starting to experience either fatigue or inevitability setting in with some of the current candidates and they will start looking for someone different. And that's about the same time that the Nobel Peace prize will be announced. Talk about timing.

It is after Labor Day. People are settling into their routines. Those without kids know when the best times to hit the stores and restaurants are and when to avoid the "family rush". Those with kids are adjusting to the new school year's demands: homework, teacher meetings, school holidays, etc. Overall people are paying more attention to their homes, communities, jobs, education, taxes, the news and politics. How could they not? The news is telling them about toys, food and children's beds being recalled.

There are toy recalls and Christmas is looking like it will be a little lean this year. Mortgage companies are going belly up and people are starting to worry about their mortgages (how are they going to pay them and whether their mortgage company is next). The meme finally has started in the media about our troops and the costs. America is paying with the lives of their children and with their wallets. And thanks in part to Ken Burns, more and more talking heads are now openly talking about how this war has lasted longer than WWII. People are worrying about home heating costs this winter and the strange weather we've been having. Some areas of the country are still in drought conditions and other parts of the country have experienced tornadoes in areas where no one can remember them before. We've had flooding and we've had fire. We've had earthquakes and gasoline prices spiking. People are also hearing more talk about melting ice shelves and endangered communities. Global climate change is on people's minds and they're wondering why the candidates aren't talking about it.

Now more than ever it is time to send those cards and letters in (or back) to Al. Send in your two cents and let him know how you feel. Encourage friends to do the same. As I see it, it is more than America's fate that is in the balance. We are fighting for the future of mankind and the habitability of our planet. We need Gore. We need him more than ever. And now is the time to act.

How are others seeing it?

[NastyDiaper]

1. I see a crescendo building into early November, when things

become "one year away" and NH requires registration.



Mostly though, I'm done guessing, and have no expectations. I'm just gonna blast away on my noisemaker.

(ed, wanted to mention thanks for the post)

(ed2, http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Hissyspit/2746 - on-topic link for posterity)

[Mabus]

2. My husband was afraid it was coming off as a little haughty

but I'm just trying to keep the optimistic mood going. And I am feeling optimistic.

great thread. Thanks for the link. I totally missed it. There have been so many threads on Gore lately in the larger forums. It was one of the reasons I felt inspired to share some of my thoughts. The drumbeat is there and it is getting stronger.

[SharonRB]

4. Tell the Admiral to chill

It's not at all haughty.

:hi:

[SharonRB]

3. You know we share the same vision

I don't know how I'm going to get through the next 10 days and then the rest of the month after that, if it takes that long (hopefully not longer).

My biggest fear is that he won't say anything one way or the other and people will start drifting off because they'll be so frustrated. He must announce this month!

[mopinko]

5. IL deadline

is 11/7 i believe. yeah after the 15th, i start to loose some faith.

[Mabus]

6. I'll be either in a drunken stupor

or making plans to move to Canada. Hubby's got one of the professions they are in need of so we'd have an easier time becoming citizens.

[SharonRB]

7. I can't stand the anticipation

Everytime I see where he's given his "I have no plans to run" statement, I get ready to tear my hair out. Saw it again at DailyKos today in a diary relating his appearance in Denver last night.

[Mabus]

10. I know what you mean

But hey, look on the bright side, I've gone from promising to become a crack whore to just being in a drunken stupor (or moving to Canada).

[mopinko]

11. i'm tired of telling people that i think he is going to run

i get that look from enough people as it is. no really, there is a draft movement. no i don't see any little green men. really. honest. no wait. argh.

[stlsaxman]

8. In the words of Nelson Muntz-

"ah-haaaaa!" -

[marlakay]

9. Know how you guys feel

I want to stay positive but keep thinking if I was him would I want to take on this mess that he never should have had to clean up with only part of the people for me and another part fighting me while I am dealing with all the shit.

Your right sharon the last few days he is saying the same thing, I am a recovering politician and no plans to run...if he is planning on doing so in the next few weeks wouldn't he drop a hint or two?

I am starting to think he might not do it and we really can't blame him. After all he has been through would you want to take on Hillary and all her shit and then on top of that all the thousands of attacks by the republicans?

he might feel like he has already given enough after what he has gone through and is still doing. and I read today that he can't make money for his global warming efforts if he runs because of new mccain/feingold laws. I guess he has trained others but can they raise what he can? I am starting to get real worried...

and on top of all that everytime I turn on the news, radio or blogs I hear clinton is in the lead. who the hell takes these polls?? who is answering them? i don't know a single person who wants her for president, young, old, women, men, only a few defensive ones here on this blog.

I am more worried about her being president now than Gore running...but I still feel he is the only one who can beat her and I just don't know if he is willing to take her on.