MyDD :: Al Gore is definitely thinking about it

Al Gore is definitely thinking about it

by Luigi Montanez, Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 06:44:14 PM EST

Crossposted from Leftisphere.

As a staunch Gore in 2008 supporter, I was ecstatic to get this in my inbox a few hours ago:

A few days ago, AlGore.com started featuring a petition to "Tell Congress to act on global warming". Gore is going to testify at Congressional hearings later in March about the topic, and he wants to bring a stack of petition signatures with him. Innocent enough, right?

Not so fast. Online Organizing 101 tells you to horde as many email addresses as you possibly can (while being legal and ethical about it, of course). There's a real value in terms of future donations and volunteer hours that's tied to each acquired email address. That's why any political organization or campaign worth its salt will always have a simple signup form prominently displayed on its homepage, just begging to be filled. AlGore.com now has that, while they didn't last week.

But of course, not everyone is going to stumble upon your website by just poking around the Tubes. You need to drive them to your site. So you start an online petition, consistent with the message of your organization or campaign. In Al Gore's case, that's global warming. From a reader's perspective, all online petitions are laid out the same:

Read some introductory text, and get passionate and/or angry about the topic.
Dutifully sign your name, email address, and zip code. A good petition will let you leave a long-winded comment to get some things off your chest.
Forward the petition link to all your friends and colleagues, either through a web form or through a prompt to open your email program and use your address book.

The third step, commonly referred to as Tell A Friend, is more important to an organization or campaign than the second step. The organizational goal of a petition isn't limited to getting an X amount of signatures. It's gaining an X amount of new email addresses from the Tell A Friend step.

That's how you grow your list and develop a broader base of support. And as for Al Gore, he definitely wants to grow his list. Despite his repeated denials about not considering a run, he's giving himself a starting point. After all, actions speak louder than words.

So if you want Al Gore to jump in this race, the best thing you can do is sign his petition at AlGore.com.

Tags: Al Gore, 2008 (all tags)

Permalink :: 20 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Al Gore is definitely thinking about it (none / 0)

I hope he runs, but supporters of other candidates or even Republicans should not hesitate to sign, this is about demonstrating support for the cause of stopping global warming.

by Alice Marshall on Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 07:09:37 PM EST

Re: Al Gore is definitely thinking about it (none / 0)

also check out algore.org. it is run by many gore supporters including mr malone-whome u may remember as the guy whose son was saved by gore's efforts to get him medical care. the site has been revamped and is pretty sophisticated..

by art3 on Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 07:12:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Drafting Gore (none / 0)

For those that want to encourage Gore to enter the race, I'd just like to point out our ActBlue Draft fund for Gore. You can donate to the fund, it's held for his campaign until any annoucement he makes, and if doesn't end up being a candidate it gets transferred to the DNC at the convention in Denver next year. Win-win all around.

by KTatActBlue on Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 08:31:15 PM EST

Re: Al Gore is definitely thinking about it (none / 0)

I think contributing to gore's ActBlue draft fund is a good way to show your support.

It let's him hear us, even if you only contribute $5, it is the number of contributions that matter.

by abc on Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 10:26:14 PM EST

Re: Al Gore is definitely thinking about it (none / 0)

I'm sure that $2,700 is really going to push him over the edge to run.

by blueryan on Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 11:05:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore is definitely thinking about it (none / 0)

Just a little correction.. the signatures for congress petition has been up since at least early December, when I signed it. And more than 10,000 people had signed it before I got to it.

John McCain loves war.

by Winston Smith on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 03:15:36 AM EST

Whats up with this power bill article? (none / 0)

CNN ran a power bill article on Gore but they neglected to mention that they spend the entire amount they are reporting, to run one set of marquees in downtown Atlanta.

Al Gore's power bill? sheesh. Someone take a look at my power bill.

The only way Al Gore's power bill would be a problem is if he isn't using compact flourescents, or green machines, or the like. This has been around forever. I remember once a bunch of republicans that got together and complained about the Jet Gore flew down to Katrina to help with relief claiming he's polluting the atmosphere. Of course he is polluting the atmosphere -

But Nigeria is burning 30 billion tons -this is a real figure - of natural gas into the atmosphere every year. And thats the side of their bread thats buttered, those natural gas and oil boys just don't like their hand called. Sheesh.

.. and when I win the lottery, gonna donate half my money to the city so they have to name a school or a park after me - camper van beethoven

by heyAnita on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 05:29:24 AM EST

Re: Whats up with this power bill article? (none / 0)

Correction to the Nigerian Flare-off Quote.
Nigeria has a capacity of 176 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Their annual flare-off in 2005 was 42.6% of their entire production. That amount in 2005, was 1.1 Trillion cubic feet.

So, that means that a reasonable annual burn-off
is not 30 billion tons, but instead 486 billion cubic feet.

In one oil and natural gas operation alone, 25% of the worlds global pollution can be found. If you orbited the world, you could look down and see it burning from space as far away as the moon, bright as new york city at night.

-=-

I have to also note how CNN and the rest of the american media are in full-on propaganda mode today - because the markets have skidded 400 pts.

Note how the complicity works - the "experts" come on today and explain how the markets in Asian are "mostly down" but the "momentum is halted" etc. etc.

We have an amazing situation with the global economy - it is entirely underpinned by a lack of regard to science, logic and it wouldn't surprise me a bit if 100 years from now we would have something like "chris-lam" dominating the world with mullahs walking around burning books when people backlash against the lies.

Does anyone remember this: "In the interests of fair disclosure, CNN burns 2,000.00 a month in power bill to run a huge animated sign in front of their building"

or how about "In the interests of fair disclosure, CNN just took a big whopping ad co ntract from Shell Energy, that owns and operates Nigerian oil fields "

.. and when I win the lottery, gonna donate half my money to the city so they have to name a school or a park after me - camper van beethoven

by heyAnita on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 05:37:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Whats up with this power bill article? (none / 0)

woops. gotta be careful - 25% of the worlds heat pollution - not total C02 .

Also just to be careful, a comparison -
should be made between CNN's billboards, and TimeWarner's energy use - and Al Gore.

.. and when I win the lottery, gonna donate half my money to the city so they have to name a school or a park after me - camper van beethoven

by heyAnita on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 05:45:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

On this story: (none / 0)

1. youtube video of Olbermann's coverage on the rightwing attacks on Gore. Olbermann on Gore's Energy Use: Setting the Record Straight

2. My DKos diary with informations and links: (Updated) Further Response from Al Gore's Offices

by NuevoLiberal on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 11:52:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Privacy policy (none / 0)

http://www.algore.com/privacy.html

Read this policy. There is a promise that the e-mail addresses will not be shared outside the organization. I assume that means that a political campaign organization, quite another beast, would not be allowed to simply get the addresses.

Visit DebateScoop

by demondeac on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 10:12:48 AM EST

Re: Privacy policy (none / 0)

The privacy policy does not refer to any formal organization, but rather the web site, AlGore.com. If he does launch a presidential bid, he'll use AlGore.com, and with it, the list.

A list is the most valuable asset to a campaign, potential or active. This is Al Gore's list, he's actively building it up, and he's using it if he runs. The privacy policy can always be changed.

Leftmost Bit

by Luigi Montanez on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 10:41:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Why Al Gore is not running: (none / 0)

Because he keeps saying he is NOT running.

He is not saying, "I'm weighing my options."

He is not saying, "Let the people decide."

He is not saying, "I have an exploratory committee."

He is not saying, "maybe."

He is not saying, "it is under consideration."

STOP IT!

by Yoshimi on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 10:22:17 AM EST

Re: Why Al Gore is not running: (none / 0)

I agree with you, he says he's not running. My diary wasn't titled "Why Al Gore is running", it was titled "Al Gore is definitely thinking about it". The point is that he's actively building up his list, which is a precursor to a run. It's the same thing that Warner and Feingold did when they thought about running, but they ultimately decided against it.

Leftmost Bit

by Luigi Montanez on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 10:45:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Al Gore is not running: (none / 0)

Al Gore put on shoes this morning.

Everyone who is running for president also put on shoes this morning.

The evidence is unmistakable--Al is running for president!

But seriously, I hope he doesn't run. Al Gore is doing great work were he is. (Greater work, I might ad, than he did when he was vice president.) If he runs we get a candidate. If he stays put we get a candidate, plus Al Gore pushing on the environment.

Get a Vegetarian Starter Kit and a Dem. Party Mastercard

by Go Vegetarian on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 12:02:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore is definitely thinking about it (none / 0)

AL Gore is not running and he is not thinking about it..

i love al gore but he is not running nonetheless and the country does not depend on one person..

lets move past this al gore fixation...

he's fighting in order our country address global warming.. thats a great thing...

he does not have to be president...anyone ever think he does not want to run?

also , hate to break it but there is a lot of resistance to al gore even among democrats...

by serge in dc on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 12:00:19 PM EST

Polls with Gore (none / 0)

Here is the poll which included Gore:

African American Voters Shift Support to Obama

By Dan Balz and Jon Cohen
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, February 27, 2007

The latest poll put Clinton at 36 percent, Obama at 24 percent, Gore at 14 percent and Edwards at 12 percent. None of the other Democrats running received more than 3 percent. With Gore removed from the field, Clinton gained ground on Obama, leading the Illinois senator 43 percent to 27 percent. Edwards ran third at 14 percent. The poll was completed the night Gore's film "An Inconvenient Truth" won an Oscar.

Chris refused to even mention this poll:

New National Polls Add to Hotlist

by Chris Bowers, Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 08:13:49 PM EST
Two new national polls out today. Oh, my kingdom for some Iowa and New Hampshire polls. First, ABC News / Washington Post:

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Feb. 22-25, 2007. N=1,082 adults nationwide. Fieldwork by TNS. Results below are among leaned Democrats.
Clinton: 43%
Obama: 27%
Edwards: 14%
Richardson: 3%
All others: 4%
Unsure / none: 9%

There are also numbers with Gore included, which I don't care to post because I have long made it clear that I don't think unannounced candidates should be included in these polls.

The poll includes very important information that one obtains when put side by side:

Clinton: 43%
Obama: 27%
Edwards: 14%
Richardson: 3%

Clinton: 36%
Obama: 24%
Gore: 14%
Edwards: 12%
Richardson: 3%

One way to read the two poll numbers is this: unless gore enters the race (to split the vote, and then he should quickly rise to #2 spot, and I predict he would catch up with HRC in about 2-3 months of hard campaigning), Clinton is probably going to have it sealed up (given her likely large war chest and definite strength over Obama on experience, which may trump his opposition to the war as an IL state senator).

In any event, it is good to see that Washignton post asked the poll question both with and without Al Gore. I'd like to recommend (and request) professional polling outfits to follow this approach primarily because the race is still in its early stages and, further, arguably Gore is in a unique position to enter the race several months down the stretch and still be a serious contender for the nomination.

~~~~~~~~

Some interesting poll numbers in AOL's online (with a large number of votes cast; read off last night):

AOL POLL: "Should Gore Run"

Should Gore run for the White House in 2008?
Yes 51%
No 49%
Total Votes: 262,048

Do you think Gore will run for the White House in 2008?
No 62%
Yes 38%
Total Votes: 258,016

Who would have a better chance of winning the Democratic presidential nomination?
Al Gore 65%
Hillary Clinton 35%
Total Votes: 221,076

Who would have a better chance of defeating the Republican nominee?
Al Gore 74%
Hillary Clinton 26%
Total Votes: 218,390
Link

by NuevoLiberal on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 12:11:47 PM EST

Polls mean NOTHING when someone isn't (none / 0)

running. This is why Chris doesn't include it.

by Yoshimi on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 12:49:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Gore has not definitively ruled out a run (none / 0)

Gore has not definitively ruled out a run (and he most certainly has not ruled out the notion of being drafted)

Huffpo's Melinda Henneberger: Gore Has Not Definitively Ruled Out Another Presidential Run

Huffington Post | Melinda Henneberger | Posted January 16, 2007 10:04 AM

When I read that Al Gore had revealed his decision not to run for president in '08 to his friends in the Japanese press, I knew for sure there was no message in there for us in the American media -- no way, right? And if the man television never loved was rather enjoying his success in mobilizing public opinion on global climate change with a movie, well, who could blame him?

As it turns out, though, Gore did no such thing, and contrary to the Reuters report out of Tokyo, has not definitively ruled out another presidential run. (Neither has he given those close to him any indication he's seriously considering it, though many in his party continue to hope he'll reconsider.)

"Absolutely nothing new,'' Gore spokesman Michael Feldman said of the report. "He's been saying the same thing for six years - that he's not running but has not completely ruled it out - and depending on where he is, it's reported differently.''

The Japanese might not have 50 different ways to say, "I'm not running 'til I am,'' but we do, which at the moment strikes me as a measure of deep linguistic abundance; we'll take it.

by NuevoLiberal on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 12:53:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore is definitely thinking about it (none / 0)

If you love Al Gore, read the Daily Howler folks. ( www.dailyhowler.com ) It is written by Al's college roommate, friend and defender, Bob Somerby. He can explain it all for you. Al isnt going to run, he can't. When the entire media -political CW was attacking Gore, Bob was there, almost alone, de-mytholizing the attacks. It is the most important blog on the internet, by far. It tells the truth about the political and media world that we live in, with no fear, no favor. Bob's not looking for position, he doesnt run ads or ask for money. He stands like a modern day Diogenes trying to tell truth to power. (Both big and the small)

Al's not running. He cant. His negative numbers are way to deep. Bob shows how attacks on Al during the primary season in 2000 (started by some of the same people that are attacking Hillary now, by the way)set up the vast right wing-MSM attack machine that kept him out of the WH and worked to deny him his chance during the recount. This all started with `Progressive Leaders' calling Gore a Liar during the 2000 Presidential primaries and then, of course, led to the much repeated message that Bush = Gore. The media then ran with this narrative and the lies about his lies - invented the internet, farm chores, love canal, doggie pills, canoe trip, union label, love story...followed neatly the false charge that Gore was a "liar" intoduced by Bill Bradley during the NH primary.

Al Gore would have been the best President ever. But he never will have that chance. And some of the same folks that are "leading" you now, made sure that would never happen.

Read Bobs post last week called "Revenge of the 90's" if you want to understand how we got to where we are today.

by timlhowe on Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 01:44:31 PM EST

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