Does Al have enough money to run without sizable fundraising?

[lildreamer316]

I was under the impression that he does have enough. Of course it would be nice to raise a bit publicly, but I was given to believe that he has enough to not have to solicit on an ongoing basis (if he were campaigning), so as to also escape the stigma of being beholden to any corporations.

I am just curious as to the real info on this. I'm going to do some of my own research, but if you can give any input I'd be grateful. I see this as currently, and eventually, figuring into any plans he MAY have for running. Wouldn't a campaign that was financed entirely by the candidate and/or the people in SMALL amounts be just what we need?

The man is brilliant...:D

[rodbailey]

1. Not sure

But, I suspect he has more in the bank than I do at the moment. However, after one evening of dialing for dollars for the NH write--in effort, and getting the response I did, I think as soon as he announced or declared that he would be a candidate (hopefully after a decent showing in the NH primary???) the small donations would just flood in. The folks that have been on the Gore bandwagon have mostly stayed on the bandwagon, I think; even some who have reluctantly moved toward another candidate say they would be back in a hurry if he just said the word. So, I don't think fund raising would ever be an issue for him. Plus, talk about name recognition; and, if he declared he would get in, the talking heads and Sunday shows would be all over him like white on rice and he would be able to get his message out free of charge.

[mopinko]

3. i kept joking that i wanted to start a pool in vegas- first day $$$

my bet was $10M the first day after announcing. i will still take that bet, even if that first day is in '12, '16, whatever.
i do think he has the money to at least get it off the ground without spending the kid's inheritance.

btw, rob, heard the bit on npr. pretty good. but i think that the way other issues were dismissed is not good. al has plenty to say about them all. he should be acknowledged as the guy telling the truth on those issues while others spin the spin.

[rosesaylavee]

2. Wasn't one of the recent complaints

about him was his exorbitant fees he charges for speaking? Read somewhere that one of the events gave him $300,000 to attend. I think he will do fine - if he does join up.

Will add stuff to your list on the other thread when I get a chance. Annoying arguments, aren't they? And I just love people telling me my 'savior' is not running. WTF is up with that? I don't refer to anyone's candidate as a savior. And some are former Gore-supporters. Oh, don't get me started...

[Samantha]

4. I read some time ago he has made 50 million off his Google stock

alone. Apparently, he invested early and heavily.

Also, one of the commentators said early last year if he decided to run he could self-finance; he has become wealthy since he left the Vice Presidency.

He was an extremely impoverished Vice President (by most standards), not holding any stocks because he thought it would not be appropriate. He said when he left office he wanted to make some money for his family since he had not done so during his government service. He sounded like he thought he owed it to them ....

Personally, more power to the man. He has made a lot of self-sacrifice to serve this Country and whatever financial rewards he can achieve during his middle age, he more than deserves.

Thank God for Al Gore.