Al Gore endorses Barack Obama
By SilentPatriot Monday Jun 16, 2008 8:45am
Senator Barack Obama was pleased to announce yesterday the support of former Vice President Al Gore. In a speech in Flint, MI, Gore threw his considerable influence behind the Illinois Senator, urging Democrats to volunteer, donate and unite behind the party's nominee. Let the healing continue!
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AP:
Al Gore says he is backing Barack Obama and will do whatever he can to help him get to the White House.
In a letter to be e-mailed to Obama supporters, Gore says Obama has united a movement over the past year and a half. The former vice president also asks for donations to help fund Obama's effort — the first time he's asked members of his Web site AlGore.com to contribute to a political campaign.
On a related note, James Carville made a compelling case last week on CNN for putting Gore on the ticket. Although it seems to me that Gore would only want to be back in the White House as President, there is no more influential position in the world for him to further his cause than as Barack Obama's Vice President. It's probably a long shot, but he would make a wonderful fit in my opinion. Especially if you view it in the context which Carville lays out:
BLITZER: You have a unique idea, James, for an excellent running mate for Barack Obama, someone with some experience.
CARVILLE: Yes. I think if I was Senator Obama I would say the biggest economic problem we face is the biggest national security problem and the biggest environmental problem. And if I were him I would ask Al Gore to serve as his vice president and energy czar in his administration to reduce our consumption and reliance on foreign energy sources. That would send a signal to the world, to the American people, to the Congress, to everybody that America's getting serious about this horrendous problem that we face.
The Ragin' Cajun is dead-on about this: The biggest problem we face in this country, one that touches every critical aspect of public policy, is the energy crisis, specifically our dependency on foreign oil. There is no bigger champion and more-respected figure in the entire world on this than Al Gore. He would make one heckuva VP...again.
Full Gore endorsement email below the fold:
Message from Al Gore: "My Endorsement"; Watch the Live Stream Tonight at 8:30 pm EDT
Former Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize laureat Al Gore just sent out this email...
Dear Friend,
A few hours from now I will step on stage in Detroit, Michigan to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama. From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States.
Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges -- including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.
This moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action.
That's why I am asking you to join me in showing your support by making a contribution to this campaign today:
https://donate.barackobama.com/...
Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action.
With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country's most pressing problems.
If you've already contributed to this campaign, I ask that you consider making another contribution right now. If you haven't, please take the next step and own a piece of this campaign today:
https://donate.barackobama.com/...
On the issues that matter most, Barack Obama is clearly the right choice to lead our nation.
We have a lot of work to do in the next few months to elect Barack Obama president, and it begins by making a contribution to this campaign today.
Thank you for joining me,
Al Gore
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Obama/Gore, 2008!!
Frist.
I understand the temptation of Gore but doesn't that undermine the whole "break from the past" scenario Obama has carefully built up? How will he argue that Hillary shouldn't be VP (No, I DON'T want her) because she represents the past if he has a VP so directly linked to the very same past? Won't that piss her supporters off a helluva lot?
Wexler for VP - Read his book
John McCain staring in "inconvenient presidential candidate"
I've been thinking about this ticket a lot. Gore could continue doing what he's doing and still be veep. Unless you are a Cheney like veep, the job doesn't require massive amounts of time. Of course I guess this would piss off the Clinton supporters even more. Andrea Mitchell says there is no love lost between Gore and Hillary Clinton.
Can you imagine what other countries would think if we produced a dream ticket like that? I doubt it's going to happen but it sure is a magical thought.
Wouldn't this make Al Gore, and perhaps Carville as well, just another Judas ?
well, that is great. gore has turned into a true statesman and inspiring figure. one of my fav democrats...
but
seeing gore and obama on stage together really underlined the need for obama to discuss his economic vision for the country and the world. both gore and obama have been directly tied to some of the policies that have proved so disastrous to our country and the world. it is time for obama to spell out his thoughts on the (so called)"free" market, on regulation vs. deregulation, on privatization, on unions, on corporate tax giveaways, etc.
senator obama, please come out strong against market fundamentalist policies, against the idea that the market is the same as democracy. please let the country and the world know that the BIGGEST change you could make--that has cursed the world ever since reagan (including clinton)--is a move away from corporatist policies
The biggest problem we face in this country is the 2nd Gilded Age that has left us on the door of our next republican great depression. Energy may be up there, but its NOT number one!
The destruction of the middle class is a greater problem than energy. If people have a decent job, they will find a way to survive regardless of energy costs. Do not let the bastards take the spotlight off of the most pressing issue!
You cannot have a democracy and the prospects of the so called "American dream," when 2% of the population has more money than 50% of the people, or when the top 8% controls 49.3% of the total economic pie.
Republicans, when they take their share, they take it all!
Gore as VP? Oh Hell yeah, I would go with that.
I dunno....Gore is the man...and I would love to see him as veep...but I ain't sure he wants to get back into politics. He's gettin more done now than when he was in office.
Just my two cents...
I think Cheney would also be a good choice for Obama VP. It would be historic bipartisan ticket, plus the boost of all that Cheney experience to back up a relatively inexperienced younger pol. And the country would save the moving costs of having Dick and Lynne demobilize from the VP residence. Just like Gore, we could let Obama turn over the energy policy of the country with a guy with a lot of experience and ideas about energy policy.
I am going with Obama/Cheney!
I doubt if he wants to be veep again, but I can guarantee you what the catchphrase would be from the mainstream media if he joined the ticket as vp: "Always a bridesmaid never the bride" repeated ad nauseum on every channel, until November.
As much as it breaks my heart, I don't think Al Gore will run for office again. Do agree about some role within the Department of Energy.
Oh well, this way Mr. Gore can keep making cameos on FUTURAMA.
Put Al Gore in charge of the EPA.
But ya know, we should be so lucky.
Wouldn't Gore be too divisive a personality for Independents the Party needs to win over in order to secure the swing States? He's not as divisive as a Clinton, but perhaps he's too easy a target for the Wingnut Luftwaffe or the global warming sceptic crowd.
Gore would be better as energy secretary. I would love to see him walk into a room full of Bush-Cheney crony oil executives, and lay down the law! Imagine how much Texas barbecue would suddenly be released into their shorts when the new sheriff gave em' their marching orders.
Al knows that the way you make a difference is by wielding power. The events of 2000 made him a much more humble, self-effacing man. I'm convinced he would run, if asked.
Why does it seem that Gore is the only Democratic statesman with the sack enough to call the Bush administration to the carpet for their crimes? I realize the debates are forthcoming, but every criminal act, every scandal, every flagrant constitutional violation, every end run around judicial process and checks & balance, every blatant attempt at consolidating one party rule and every tax cut for the top 1% is just waiting for the Dems to aggressively pounce on to bury this Republican nightmare and NONE OF THEM DO IT.
I like the message of change & hope that Obama brings, but for God's sake hit these bastards where they're weakest - which after 8 years shouldn't be too hard. Only Gore has marginally stepped up to do so thus far. Now is not the time for timidity with these son's of bitches.
Samson- @ 6:
If this is what you expect, you are in for a shock. I am going to vote for Obama, with more enthusiasm for a candidate than I've had in about 30 years, but I am a realist. He is NOT surrounding himself with people who would suggest the things you (and I) would in this area. If you want to know what pokicies he is likely to follow, find out what the DLC wants. And then shudder. But please, for your own peace of mind, DO NOT expect Obama to drastically alter our economic structure.
HTH
MedfordTim @ 2:
Agreed about Wexler!
Not for nothing but I believe Mr. Gore endorsed Senator Barack at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Mi and not Flint.
This morning on morning joe, they kept playing the part of Gore's speech where he said even our cats and dogs know it's important to vote. But they failed to play the part he said right before that, that made the part about cats and dogs make sense. He had just talked about the tainted pet food from China and that's why he said even our cats and dogs know it's important to vote. Joe made a snide comment that the part about cats and dogs was jumping the shark for Gore.
Somewhere, in a back room at the White House, hidden in a drawer somewhere, is a dusty old badge.
"Energy Czar"
Yeah, that's the ticket.
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 9:
I tend to agreed. I think he might be happy with some Energy Dept role though.
Rollo Tomassi @ 18:
Obama is doing exactly what he needs to do right now. When he chooses a veep, that's the person to be the attack dog. Doing exactly what Gore did in his speech last night. Which makes me wish this dream ticket could happen.
I can't imagine what mike@10 has been smoking/drinking/cranking to even contemplate Cheney as anything other that a fat man in a orange suit.
Maybe its just me but i couldn't really care any less - Gore is a good guy and all but his endorsement at this point means nothing. Obama has cinched the nomination - the only things i want to hear now is how he would model his administration, who the VP and secretaries might be, who the guy will be surrounding himself with for his first years in office to see where his policies might be headed. A couple endorsements from big names at this point are moot and just distract from the issues and how Barack really is going to deal with them.
CD @ 27:
Gore didn't have to endorse him at all. The fact that he did is good for everyone but McCain.
sedum @ 26:
I thought it was pretty damn fun and lighthearted. You didn't take it seriously, did you?
MedfordTim @ 19:
no... i don't expect that at all...
futile, i know. the real change-agents would never have made it thru the corporate-led DLC rings of fire.
One thing i thought was really funny (and telling, and very typical) was that on Fox News, while the speech was going on, Hannity Just kept on talking to Karl Rove and other pundits, with video of Al Gore going on in the background with no audio. MSNBC? Aired the speech in its entirety, then talked about it afterwards.
I just rolled my eyes.
An OG ticket? I think that would work.
Mike @ 10:
Drinking some of that tainted Cedar River water there Mike??
Mike @ 10:
MedfordTim @ 2:
I don't see walking away from the best in the Democratic Party as a "break from the past." It would seem to be more of a "SHoot Own Foot" scenerio.
So what am I supposed to do get all excited now or something?
Let's see. A Noble Prize Winner, an Academy Award Winner, a two term VP! The corporate media will chew him up and spit him out. That's what they do, unless it's a Republican.
fastfeat @ 24:
Yeah, would be about the best use of Gore's mad skills.
Barrack Obama/John Conyers, Jr.
I'd vote for them.
L.A. Confidential @ 36:
Well...yeah...beats being a wet blanket all the time.
L.A. Confidential @ 36:
If you get real excited would you spare us the details?
L.A. Confidential @ 36:
Nope, you can just keep on moping about.
xoites defends Constitution @ 41:
Oh I'm not worried Big Al will promise us a steady supply of pizza pockets and juicy-juice boxes that Americans resort to because they have no time between two jobs and family-chauffeur duties to actually cook.
Hussein Bookworm @ 34:
This HAS to be satire...as it's just too damn funny not to be!
Cheney as veep for Obama! HA! That's heeeelarious!
Mike @ 10:
You don't even believe the BS you write....just be an honest troll.
Rollo Tomassi @ 18:
Perfectly stated! Unlike the crap that comes out of most democrats.
I go insane listening to the pathetic dems. Isn't it amazing that the repkues can sell a pack of lies dressed up in dog shit, yet the democrats can't win with every issue on their side? I totally destroy every wingnut I know within 2 minutes, yet these dem assholes are paid million dollar salaries, and they have all of the debating skill of a ..............well, dem asshole.
Can't we get some better democrats that can (and will) smack these repuke retards up-side the head?
How about questions along the lines of something like this: "tell us Mr. McConnell how looting the PUBLIC treasury to give tax breaks, 88% of which will go to people who are already millionaires, tell us how that helps 95% of Americans? Especially when many of them lose their jobs due to privitization or other republican crony related scams that these tax cuts invariably end up supporting.
And doesn't mean home prices will plummet even more when those middle class workers are eliminated. And isn't it true that privitizatiion in most cases saves NO money, or costs even more for lousy services rendered? Except now, all the taxpayer money goes to some rich Cheney type CEO-republican crony, instead of supporting hundreds of middle class workers. So tell us, how is this good for the 95% of America that isn't part of the Bush family crime syndicate?
L.A. Confidential @ 43:
Obviously i have lost my decoder book.
pissed off patricia @ 22:
Morning Joe always makes snide remarks. It's people like him that take a statement and spin, spin, spin. Take it with a grain of salt.
MedfordTim @ 19:
xoites defends Constitution @ 47:
A "hints-tips and clues" for dummies" book hasn't been written yet so your out of luck.
with all due respect to silentpatriot, james carville is a deceptive and nefarious, bald punk, and his views on anything should be rejected as you would rotten cabbage.
his "opinion" on what is best for the economy needs to be drowned in a burlap sack down by the river's edge.
james carville is part of the problem. follow his advice at your own risk. he dabbles in lies, PR and spin to try to compromise the democratic process.
I'm guessing Mike @10 WAS satire.
I'll admit I got punked. But hey, I'm stuck in Tennessee for another day or two--brain ain't workin' correctly...
"The biggest problem we face in this country, one that touches every critical aspect of public policy, is the energy crisis..."
Actually, there's a bigger problem than that, much bigger. And it's global, not just something the US has to worry about. Solve it, and all the other crises solve themselves. But don't expect any politician (outside of China) to ever breath a word about it: overpopulation.
rain @ 48:
Turn off the TV would be a better move.
pissed off patricia @ 22:
What is it with MSNBC? I feel like Olbermann's on the right side of the issues and I love when he bitch-slaps Billo, but this Joe Scarborough ass is just too annoying. And Willie Giest has the audacity to call his commentary the spirit of the times with "zeitgeist?" Then those two smarmy pricks rip on Mika every chance they get and she just kind of takes it. I'd say MSNBC has jumped the shark with "Morning Joe." Ever notice how Scarborough is the model for Tom Tomorrow's conservative talking head?
Where is the news here? As if Gore wasn't going to endorse the Democratic nominee. The speech was already written, only the name had to be inserted. The VP stuff is all just cable news filler. This isn't going to change anyone's mind one way or another.
I see Gore as the ambassador to the U.N. or maybe to the E.U. Something global, multilateral, with a heavy role in climate change, and without the need to manage staffing that comes with a Cabinet post or the EPA.
bateman @ 55:
MSNBC is completing the shift into becoming a Propaganda Unit.
yay for Gore. but Gore will not be the VP. first of all, he's already been VP, he is not going to do it again. second, Obama will definitely be getting help and advice from Gore, whether he's in an official role or not.
Dr. (terrorist fist jab) Matt @ 1:
Most def for all the good reasons, and the side-effect is that would drive the rightwing crazy...crazier, that is.
rain @ 48:
Morning Joe is nothing more than a snake oil salesman. These people still haven't figured out that the days of a lying imbecile like Chimpy being sold as some sort of compassionate statesman are over. The young kids are always referring to you tube video's that show the Orwellean bullshit these repukes use. Its all they have, and its like watching someone use a typewriter in 2008 America.
MedfordTim @ 2:
Gore represented the Clinton administration when he was running, which was how W got into the Whitehouse in the first place. I think Al Gore would make a great VP, but I have a feeling he will instead become a cabinet member.
L.A. Confidential @ 58:
The problem with 24 hour news is that if you do not report actual news, then you just speculate and obsess for 24 hours. I don't watch MSM news, but did during the last legs of the Democratic campaign and I could not believe what a gossip column it has become. It is just disgusting. All of it.
Duncan @ 53:
ABSOLUTELY!!
Funny, when the environmental movement began in earnest in this country in the early '70s, overpopulation was much less a taboo subject than it seems to be today.
NoGWBpolicyleftinplace @ 61:
Shows like this crap are just the new modern version of As The World Turns, General Hospital, The Young and The Restless.
A complete waste of time. The New "Soaps"
bateman @ 55:
I don't cut Mika any slack either. The show is almost foxed up. This morning if you weren't looking at the faces, and only listening, you would have thought you were listening to fox and friends. As soon as Washington Journal comes on c-span, I leave Joe and friends in the dust.
Later. Things to DO.
Why is this news?
Who the heck else was The Goracle supposed to endorse?
I like Al Gore, but I can never forgive him for the debate whoppin' he put on ole' Ross Perot after him and Clinton took office; back when they were trying to sell the DLC-repuke free trade bullshit.
Turns out Ross might not have been a great debater, but everthing he warned about NAFTA was dead-on! What is that big suckkin' sound I hear?
rain @ 48:
I confess, I watch that right wing strap on. Virtually every time Assistant murderer Joe speaks, I get pissed. Time to time though, Joe has a good contrary guest who will challenge his bullshit.
pissed off patricia @ 66:
Yes, this is MSNBC's version of Fox and Fiends with hookered up Mika, not-funny-but-thinks-he-is Willie Geist, and the beady eyed murderous one himself. I don't watch any of those bastards. I switched over to NPR on the radio, the lesser of the two evils.
Oh Al....we hardly 'new ya'. Seems a little late given there's no one else left.
I could certainly live with that.
henry wallace @ 72:
Look at it this way, Obama got the nomination even without Gore's help.
So next in line will be all the gods of various types, the universe itself, the rest of the world is already hoping for Obama ......... hmmm, wild life, the planet etc .......
And the US people will still vote in McCain by a magical 51/49% ............. surprise supprise
Samson- @ 6:
The problem is that Obama is not the saviour that many believe he will be. He has been annointed by the DLC because he will tow the party line. He and Gore dance a good dance. But at the end of the day the corporatists will still be pulling the strings, we will still be in Iraq and Afghanistan, oil will stil be our primary energy source and the super rich will still be getting the tax breaks. The environment doesn't mean shit to a single parent making 12 bucks/ hr. If they bring the standard of living up for the bottom 50%, then those people will start to pay attention to Gore's environmental views.
Carville (aka Mr. Irrelevant) is pushing Gore for VP? Great, just what Obama needs on his ticket,
a former candidate who lost. Besides, I wouldn't trust anyone who lived under the same roof with Dragon Lady.
Knowing America's passion for military men, Wesley Clarke would be the best bet, IMO.
You know, Gore taking the VP might be good for him, considering what his focus on environmental issues. He'd be in a position of greater influence, yet have more time than he would as President to continue his own line of work.
Jim Webb will be the VP.
Oh well,
There goes Obama's chances not that he just received the "kiss of death" endorsement.
pissed off patricia @ 66:
I hear you, it is rather foxy. I used to be a Washington Journal junkie myself.
I just finished listening to Gore's speech endorsing Obama. Wow. I could live until I'm 100 and I will NEVER understand why the 2000 election was even close....forget the fraud, it should have been a landslide. The amount of people with blood on their hands these past eight years is beyond belief..... I'm so glad I'm not one of them.
Al Gore for VP?! Weirdos.
dennis @ 68:
Exactly what I thought. I think its going to be a rough day when I'm agreeing with Dennis at 8 o'clock in the morning. :)
Figaro @ 77:
Who is the dragon lady? Tipper?
I think Gore has increased in stature a great deal since 2000. I think he's almost the only candidate who can unite the Clinton party-loyalists and the more progressive leaning Obama fans. I know he watched as NAFTA went through, but protectionism isn't the answer either. The problem is that NAFTA isn't perfect. And free-trade under the Cheney administration isn't the same thing as free-trade under Clinton.
I think Obama/Gore is great. I'd also support Obama/Clark, Obama/Conyers, Obama/Wexler, Obama/Richardson, Obama/Sebalius, Obama/Kucinich, and Obama/a dead squirrel.
pissed off patricia @ 74: