Congratulations to former Vice President (and woulda-coulda-shoulda president) Al Gore on receiving half of the Nobel Peace Prize this week for his strident work in the area of global warming. The news added fuel to the fire that Gore might insert his name on the long list of presidential candidates, even this late in the game.
If he enters the race, he would do so challenging Democratic front runner Hillary Clinton for the nomination, after serving as vice president under her partner and currently greatest supporter President Bill Clinton. Can you hear the backroom politics going into full swing at this very moment? No doubt there are phone lines on fire in Washington, New York, and California as I type.
Hillary wants to be president so bad she can taste it. If not for her ambition, Mr. Clinton might have been lodging with some foreign legion in a remote part of the world many years ago. Gore does muddy things up a bit for a lot of hopeful folks. If he ran it would add a lot of excitement to what is getting to be a more and more boring presidential campaign. Meanwhile after winning the "Prize," Gore passes Obama for Democratic nomination. Another twist if Gore runs (50/50 odds) is that polls still show him as a long shot to receive the nomination over Clinton. Perhaps Barrack Obama and Gore joining forces (a Gore/Obama ticket) might make some advances if they announced early -- but this would burn some bridges neither wants to burn.
I still think Clinton wins the Democratic nomination barring some scandal (that we don't yet know about) and that Obama has a great future barring same. And for all it's worth, I think Gore would make a much better vice presidential candidate than a presidential candidate. He could continue to do what he has been doing over the last eight years, but with the power of the White House fully behind him. Some people are good leaders and some are good first mates. He is a better first mate. If Hillary does become president, she would then have two first mates ... and to think folks are joking about what having Mitt Romney, a Mormon, in the White House might mean.
Sheldon Liber is the CEO of a small private investment company and the principal for design and research at an architecture & planning firm.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-14-2007 @ 4:30PM
Frank Coffey said...
The good Al Gore does isn't always public:
"Al Gore Saved My Life!" - Manny Ramirez
Conversation With Former Vice-President Led to Carbon Neutral Lifestyle; Decision May Have Saved Red Sox Season
Boston - In July, after a long heart-to-heart talk with former vice-president Al Gore, Manny Ramirez, Boston's all-star left fielder, announced a commitment to a carbon neutral lifestyle and informed the Red Sox that he would bike to the team's remaining games. The decision prompted many to predict a disastrous outcome. They were wrong.
Bizarrely - is there any other way in Manny's world? - all the pedaling led to a strained oblique, which led to Ramirez missing 24 consecutive games, which led to a very well-rested Manny crushing a walk-off home run against the Angels to win game 2 of the ALDS, then helping complete a 3-0 sweep of Anaheim, before moving on to torture the Indians in the ALCS.
"Thank god I talked to Al," Manny said with tears in his eyes. "If he decides to run for President and I remember to register, I'm definitely going to vote for him."
www.eTrueSports.com
10-15-2007 @ 6:34AM
CrossProfit said...
Hey Frank,
By the time Gore decides to run (last minute Al), no-one will remember him.
It's a good thing Manny said "and I remember to register". Manny could have said 'and I remember him'!
12-01-2007 @ 1:53AM
Frank Coffey said...
Hey CP,
Just spotted your comments and over at eTrueSports world headquarters we say: Better than later than never. (If you know Manny, give him a call willya, remind him to register. Thx.)