Al Gore: "The President of the United States has been breaking the law repeatedly and persistently"

Former Vice President Al Gore delivered a blockbuster speech today. Speaking at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington DC, Gore did what the Democrats in power today are afraid to do- laid out in no uncertain terms how serious President Bush's actions have been. Near the beginning of the speech he stated, "the American values we hold most dear have been placed at serious risk by the unprecedented claims of the Administration to a truly breathtaking expansion of executive power". At the conclusion of the speech, Gore called for an independent investigation of the President's actions, stated a need for clearer whistleblower protection laws for those who wish to speak out, and also asked for serious investigations into this by both houses of Congress.

You can read the full text of the speech- here.

Crooks and Liars has some video.

AP report:
Gore Assails Domestic Wiretapping Program

Al Gore also had very strong words about the state of the media and political debate today:

"Forty years have passed since the majority of Americans adopted television as their principal source of information. Its dominance has become so extensive that virtually all significant political communication now takes place within the confines of flickering 30-second television advertisements...

...The constricted role of ideas in the American political system today has encouraged efforts by the Executive Branch to control the flow of information as a means of controlling the outcome of important decisions that still lie in the hands of the people."

A sentiment made clearer by the fact that none of the cable news channels covered this speech.

It's also a sentiment shared by Peter Daou.

Thanks Al for giving this speech, even if none of the networks cared. I never regretted voting for you.