Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

by horizonr, Thu Jul 05, 2007 at 03:59:28 PM EDT

Al Gore appeared on NBC's Today Show this morning to promote this weekend's Live Earth
concerts. The interviewer, Meredith Vieira, asked Gore about his presidential intentions, of
course, and -- of course -- Gore demurred.

Shortly thereafter, The Washington Post reports:

Gore laughed when asked if he was ready to endorse a candidate for president. He said
his evaluation would be based on what each decides to do about climate change.
"Some of them have made good, positive statements, but it's still treated as a side
issue. I will predict for you that within the next 500 days that this issue will be the
number one issue on the agenda," he said.

Hard to say whether Gore was putting Democratic candidates on notice that he will stay out
of the race only if at least one of them gets up to speed on climate change or just reminding
all the candidates of his endorsement standards.

Whichever is the case, Barack Obama's timing is perfect.

As of today, the main feature on Obama's home page is a Live Earth promo that links to a
new Live Earth page on the Obama site. The page includes a 2-minute video message
from Obama; a link to his energy and environmental policy; links to the Live Earth site;
and a sign-up that enables visitors to spread the word about Live Earth.

Looking at the Web sites of the other major Democratic candidates, it appears -- as
of this writing -- that Obama has this one all to himself.

Smart guy, that Barack Obama.

Tags: 2008, Al Gore, Barack Obama, Climate change, president (all tags)

Comments

33 Comments

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

Yeah, I peeped that out. And he is at the Essence Festival, right now, in NOLA.

by icebergslim 2007-07-05 04:01PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

I was just getting ready to write a diary about this and the fact that Obama is promoting Gore's earth concert.

I've heard rumours that Gore likes Obama and if he endorses,he might go for Obama since he's not on talking terms with the Clintons..I've also heard that he never got along with Hillary and they dislike each other.

My guess is,Obama will have to close the gap before Gore endorses him...I think for Gore endorsement to have any impact,the race would have to be closer.

Maybe Gore has already promised Obama the endorsement, but they are waiting until the end of the year to announce it...It would make better sense because by then, the race will get tight and a Gore endorsement would be the dagger into the Clintonista vicious smear machinist.

Gore is one endorsement that they cant get...Gore still blames the Clintons for loosing the 2000 election, and i dont think he's ever forgiven Bill for his sexcapade in the oval office.

by JaeHood 2007-07-05 04:09PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

Didn't Howard Dean shoot way way up in the polls when Gore endorsed him?

Beyond that, I think the Gore/Clinton rumors are greatly exaggerated. I don't think Gore will endorse her, but I don't think its as frosty as you think.

by yitbos96bb 2007-07-05 04:16PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

The Gore's were less than pleased about the affair with Monica. (Monica was the same age as the Gore daughter. It added to the shock value.) Maybe they are political 'friends' but I think the Gore's standards of morality are way above the Clinton's.

by aiko 2007-07-05 04:23PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

I'm pretty sure they have multiple daughters--I think Kristin was already working on the staff of "Futurama" when that all went down.

by Jay R 2007-07-05 06:49PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

No, Monica's two weeks older (7/23/73) than the Gore's oldest (8/6/73), according to Wikipedia. And my BIL was born at the midway point beneath them!

by latts 2007-07-05 07:17PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

Well, there were sources coming out saying that Hillary and Gore never got along during their stay in the White House.

Gore has spoken to bill once, since his 2000 defeat but not Hillary.

I agree that Gore will probably never endorse Hillary...They were never close friends anyway, and Gore relationship with Bill went downhill after the sex scandal which prompted Gore to not use Bill to stump for him.

Gore was also reported being upset at the Clintons for telling the media that if Gore had used Bill, he would have won the election.

Gore believes that if it wasn't for the Clintons's scandal, he would have won hands down.

by JaeHood 2007-07-05 04:26PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

Theres sources that say Hillary was having an affair with another woman while First Lady too... My point is none of this is substantiated. I don't think that they are the closest of friends, not at all... but I don't they hate each other or dislike each other the way some make it out.

by yitbos96bb 2007-07-05 04:35PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

For the record, before GeorgeP or Areyouready comes in and blows up... I DO NOT THINK HILLARY HAD AN AFFAIR WITH ANOTHER WOMAN WHILE FIRST LADY. I WAS SIMPLY REPEATING A SLEAZY RUMOR TO PROVE A POINT.

by yitbos96bb 2007-07-05 04:37PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

OK I am glad you clarified. Reading that I was like "SAY WHAT!!!!!"

by lafinur 2007-07-05 04:40PM | 0 recs

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For Real...

I was like, not down another sex road AGAIN, for real...

by icebergslim 2007-07-05 04:50PM | 0 recs

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Re: For Real...

Simply to prove a point is all... I think its as true as the rumors about the Clintons murdering their enemies the wingutters like to trudge up.

by yitbos96bb 2007-07-05 05:07PM | 0 recs

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Re: For Real...

Although I was ready to believe the Bush is Gay rumor.

by yitbos96bb 2007-07-05 05:08PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

I think they dislike each other..If not, then there is no reason to avoid each other...They could have at least talk to each other at least one time....He's spoken to bill but not Hill.

Look for Hillary to put some "earth live" stuff on her website...She always follows Obama's lead on everything.

Obama goes to selma,and Hillary announces she wants to go to selma.

Obama gets invited to Nola for the essence award show,Hillary later on announces she wants to go.

Look for the Clintons to try to get in contact with Gore.

by JaeHood 2007-07-05 04:43PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

Awesome!

It is really going to be great when Al Gore endorses Obama!

I guess some will dismiss this forthcoming endorsement but I like Al Gore very much and if he won't run his endorsement will mean something to me!

Fortunately I have no doubt that Gore will not endorse either Hillary or Edwards which means its between Obama or nobody.

by lafinur 2007-07-05 04:10PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

Um yeah... Lets not count endorsements before they come. Gore has made NO move or hint as to whom he would endorse, and other candidates have good enviromental records as well.

Now that being said, tying himself to Live Earth can only help Obama. Politically, its very smart and if they are courting Gore's endorsement, muscle, campaigning, etc for the campaign, it is a good step to help obtain that. As I have said, I can totally see Gore as the Sec of Interior or as the head of the EPA, etc in an Obama or Edwards administration.

by yitbos96bb 2007-07-05 04:19PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

Gore is not endorsing Hillary Clinton. And the Clintons and Gores are not on the best talking terms.

by icebergslim 2007-07-05 04:15PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

One thing that i will say is, if Gore does indeed endorses Obama, he can not only be just that and nothing else....Gore will have to publicly campaign for him...I'm talking about going to Iowa and NH with him to campaign.

Hrad core democrats has as much respect for Gore as Bill Clinton...Lots of people felt that Gore should have been president instead of Bush.

Gore would be a nice endorsement, that is if he indeed does more then just a public endorsement...It would rival Hillary's husband.

I hope that Oprah will be campaigning for Obama later this year...Oprah would help a lot if she would campaign in South Carolina and in black community.

Anyone knows whether she will campaign for him?

by JaeHood 2007-07-05 04:19PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

I'd say anyone except the far wing nuts think Gore should have and was President and got screwed royally..

"Be nice to your brother Lil George, you may need him to fix an election some day!"

by yitbos96bb 2007-07-05 04:21PM | 0 recs

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No she won't,Oprah support while good

will probably not mean much,Jess will be better and al.Thier vioces are stronger than Oprah's

by bebe 2007-07-05 05:46PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

Both Dodd and Richardson have far more ambitious and effective greenhouse gas proposals than Obama. Obama's proposals are far too minor and limited and won't even accomplish 1/10th of what we need.

Go to any environmentalist website or blog and look for commentary about Obama and global warming. I'm not trying to badmouth Obama, just report the facts. I hope he will learn quickly and strengthen his proposals.

by billybob 2007-07-05 04:46PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

The fuel economy proposal is a very good one, the others need to be toughened though I agree. And I think they will be.

by yitbos96bb 2007-07-05 05:11PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

And if you want to prove your point better, please give us links.

by yitbos96bb 2007-07-05 05:11PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

Well, if you are just reporting the facts I missed them. Is your assertion that Obama's proposals are too minor and limited an example of one of your facts? Hope not.

by Shaun Appleby 2007-07-05 06:15PM | 0 recs

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asdf

Smart guy, that Barack Obama.

Yes he is.

by lovingj 2007-07-05 06:06PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

I hate to say negative things about fellow "Progressives" but you guys are unbelievable.

1. Everyone knows that if President Clinton had campaigned from Gore, he would have won the Presidency. That is a fact. Gore should have at least let President Clinton campaign in states where Clinton was most popular.

Joking about Hillary being a lesbian and having an affair with a lesbian while in the White House is just awful and un-American. I would expect this type of talk from wingnuts-like Ann Coulter.
Gore WILL not endorse any of the candidates. This has nothing to do with whether there is any bad blood between he and the President; he does not want to have answer questions about why he supports one candidate over the other.
Obama has charisma and is a great person. But there is only ONE President Clinton and Obama WILL never BE and COULD never be President Clinton. They are not on the same level. Comparing the two is unfair to President Clinton.
Despite the fact so many so-called "Progressives" on this site and other sites hate Hillary; she will be our nominee. Not because of Bill or because of endorsements, but because she is the best candidate to get the job done. She's strong, intelligent and knows how to fight back. The Health Care Plan debacle and the Monica Lewinsky scandal taught her how to persevere over the tough times.

So get used to Hillary. She is going to be around a long time.

by lonnette33 2007-07-05 07:13PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

Uh. Gee!!!! Guess YOU got it all figured out!

Thanks for setting us straight though!

Maybe a "WHATCHATALKINBOUTWILLIS?" is in order!

By the way I think you are capslocking the wrong words lonnette33!!!!!!

by lafinur 2007-07-05 08:50PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

Preserve is right. She isn't planning on working towards Universal health Care until her second term.

"she will be our nominee. Not because of Bill"

That's a laugh. Thanks. He has to do 36 fundraisers in 6 months, meanwhile campaigning for her, and locking up endorsements in the background. Of course she would be the nominee if she was Hillary Rodham. Bill has nothing to do with this.

by JeremiahTheMessiah 2007-07-05 11:25PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

1. i don't know that. i think if gore hadn't abandoned his home state, he would have won. and other such notions. gore's campaign is full of mistakes and everyone has a notion of why he lost or how he could have pulled it out without florida.

4. i agree that there is only one president clinton. let's keep it that way.

i'd love to see hillary around for a long time -- as majority leader. as president, i'll be afraid. she has so many flaws, she energizes the right like no other democrat (ok, maybe edward kennedy comes close), and she's repeatedly demonstrated bad judgment on big decisions that it's just better if we have someone else as president...

by bored now 2007-07-06 04:50AM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

Didn't Gore call the coal-to-liquid bill that Obama co-sponsored a "Horrible Mistake" just last month?

http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/6/2/23163 1/5376

by domma 2007-07-05 08:52PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Paying Attention to Al Gore

He did. But there may be more to it than that.

by Shaun Appleby 2007-07-05 09:01PM | 0 recs

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Yes, but Obama wasn't satisfied

with it either. He has said he will not push for clean coal if it contributes with more co2.

by Populism2008 2007-07-06 12:02AM | 0 recs

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Hillary Clinton Late to the Party

Hillary Clinton, in her latest fit of me-too-ism, finally posted a link to the Live Earth Web site.

That's it. Just a link.

And a pretty picture.

by horizonr 2007-07-06 12:49PM | 0 recs