Gore In '08? (A Continuing Plea For A Comeback)

Eleanor Clift looks at the issue of Gore's future in a Newsweek column-

Getting the country to face up to global warming is his life’s mission, and it could be his ticket to the presidency. Voters yearning for a principled leader who truly believes in something may find what they’re looking for in the former vice president. Gore told NEWSWEEK that he’s in the middle of a campaign, but it’s not a campaign for a candidate. “Been there, done that,” he said.

Nobody believes him. By not playing the overt political game, Gore may be putting in place the first issue-driven campaign of the 21st century, one that is premised on a big moral challenge that is becoming more real with soaring gas prices and uncertain oil supplies. A senior Democrat who once ran for the White House himself but harbors no illusions the party will turn to him in 2008 looks at Gore and marvels, “This guy is running the best campaign I’ve seen for president.”

He claims he isn't, but that may be best for now. It's not a decision to make lightly.

Money quote-

Unlike front runner Hillary Clinton, there is no doubt about where Gore stands and what he believes in. He opposed the Iraq war, he was against the Patriot Act and he spoke out forcefully against President Bush’s torture policies and warrantless eavesdropping. Gore has become the darling of the left, yet global warming is not, or shouldn’t be, a partisan issue.

Yup. Sen. Clinton is a political opportunist, she'll believe whatever you want her to believe as long as you promise to vote for her. Al Gore does not play those games; he's learned his lesson after trying to out-macho Cowboy George in 2000. We know what Gore believes in and we know that he will always stand up for those beliefs. He is a strong leader. I remember reading in 2004 that many conservatives who were dissatisfied with Bush voted for him anyway, because they felt that he stood for something genuine, whereas John Kerry did not seem to. It's a somewhat silly way to vote, but the point is 100% valid. Democrats keep losing because they are perceived as not standing for anything. In the case of many of the party's top players- Kerry, Reid, Clinton- that does seem to be the case. Those who take stands (the Feingolds of the party) are marginalized and ignored. You would think the Democrats would have learned by now that the members of their party who can help bring them back in power and restore their credibility with Americans (desperate now for real leadership) are people like Russ Feingold and Al Gore who have never been afraid to take a stand.

Al Gore won the popular vote in 2000 with a campaign that was largely unfocused and uninspiring. Imagine what he can do now that he's refound his voice... and his issue. I do not believe Sen. Clinton can win the Presidency (nor do I particularly want her to). I do sincerely believe that Al Gore can. We don't even know if he's running yet, but if he does, I will be one of his biggest cheerleaders.

Democrats, listen to your base. They'd really like to win an election at some point, you know.

[PS- The official website for the documentary- An Inconvenient Truth]