It's kind of funny -- no matter how many times Gore and his people issue the exact same bland non-denial denial, journalists keep try to gin up some new hook around which to write about his possible entry into the presidential race. The latest is New York Observer's Steve Kornacki, who breathlessly reports "Why Al Gore Won't Let the Rumors Die." As though any action is required by Gore or his people to keep the rumors alive.
Kornacki does make some good points about why it's in Gore's interest to wait. Gore be testifying before Congress in March, and in July he'll be overseeing a huge, worldwide series of concerts to raise support for action on global warming. He's going to receive tons of press coverage, almost all of it flattering. (Nobody knows more about the benefits of bypassing the Beltway political press than Gore.) He doesn't need to declare he's running to get attention.
The later he jumps in, the more of a splash he'll make and the shorter the campaign will be, which is fine, 'cause campaigning's not really his forte.
I'm on record predicting he won't run, but I suspect he genuinely hasn't made up his mind yet. The downsides for him are enormous -- he's riding a wave of new popularity, making huge progress on the issue he cares most about, and spends his days talking to the most interesting people on the planet. To enter the campaign would mean drudgery, fundraising, hostile press, relentless character attacks, and a possible loss, putting him on the record books as a two-time loser and squandering his new-found stature.
In the end, circumstances will make the difference. If grassroots support builds, Hillary appears weaker and more beatable than people think, Obama's halo wears off, the Iraq situation continues to go down the toilet, and the political profile of climate change rises even further, well ... it's gotta be tempting.
Comments
View as Flat
caniscandida Posted 7:33 pm
14 Feb 2007
<<
Mr. Gore truly has wanted to be President since his youth.
Now he has a reason. Can he resist?
>>
(But I am not sure "breathless" is the way I would describe the style of the piece.)
And I like DR's ending, too. In fact, it is in accord with the observation of Karl Rove, of all people, who, no matter what one thinks of him and of the cause that he has assumed, nevertheless is worth listening to on political dynamics. He is said to have said that in this race, when stars are emerging almost a year before primary voters actually begin to vote, it is probable that they will come to seem less interesting and exciting as time passes.
FYI, I just received a fund-raising letter from Barack Obama. The pictures of him are so cute. Of course I have no ready cash to send him, nor am I prepared just yet to be a volunteer in his campaign. Still, he is impressive. There is no doubt he is very talented. It is not impossible that he may only get more dazzling, as the year progresses.
And boyfriend John Edwards may get better and better too.
But I have a hard time imagining Hillary as getting better. Hopefully she will surprise me. But that would be a big surprise indeed. Apparently, her style is to get deeper and more entrenched, not to do anything new, exciting and reformative. What is so difficult for her, that she cannot say to questioners in New Hampshire that her 2002 vote for authorization of the invasion of Iraq was a mistake?
Anyway, September sounds just right for Al Gore to announce. And if he does, our own poor DR should not continue to wring his hands too painfully hard. Interviews, and the intuition of interviewers, count for a lot, to be sure; but surprises are always in store. Consider all that has happened since George W. Bush had his first meeting, a kind of interview, with Vladimir Putin, and "looked into his soul": surprises galore.
Chickens are our cousins!
So are other sensitive animals!
Enough is enough!
No more factory farms!
Permalink
Gwenny Posted 3:10 am
15 Feb 2007
I don't want Gore to turn into one of those president guys. And I think he'll have a continually positive effect on our country if he stays a-political.
It would be nice to see someone with real grassroots support get nominated, though. What a refresher that would be.
Permalink