This is not at all pleasant, observing the right wing's mounting attacks on Al Gore and "An Inconvenient Truth," and the media's zealous focus on how he comes across as a public figure and possible candidate.  I am not sure, though, that Eric Boehlert was quite fair to Gwen Ifil, apparently finding her questions dismissive or disdainful.

Jonah Goldberg's quibble about where Al Gore may or may not have spent a particular summer in his mid-teens is truly silly and sorry.  It is interesting, though, that Gore has recently let it be known that he studied in France and learned French pretty well.  John Kerry, by contrast, thought he had to suppress his having gone to school in Europe (Switzerland), and his knowing French very well.

Arthur Smith's piece is very helpful, and encouraging.  (And I am grateful for his saying something briefly by way of explaining the term "carbon tax," which I would have been no better at understanding initially as the poor editor from Wired.)  Even he, though, thinks Gore might have said more by way of recommending a clearer course of action for us to follow, one which promises to be effective.

A comment after Smith's article said that if Gore does not run in 2008, and if another Democrat wins, then it would be a very good thing if that new president appoints Gore as Energy Czar.  And in connexion with Who Will Run and Who Will Win in 2008, it is interesting that Chelsea Clinton was present at the Town Hall event.  Whether she can operate as her mother's ambassador, who knows.

    Someone I know who admires Gore, saw the movie and said he is riding in an SUV in it?  Is this true?  Won't it be likely to be jumped all over by those (who dare not be named) who despise him?

    Tell me it ain't so (or has been editted out)>

patrick