Al Gore, we need you!

"Our strength as a nation, over more than 200 years, has been that we have tried - not always successfully - but we have tried to base decisions on the best evidence available after a full and open debate among people that might have different points of view but shared a common commitment to try to make good decisions on the basis of the facts. Instead, we have got this "Alice in Wonderland" approach. First, the verdict and then the trial.

"When people make up their minds on the basis of ideology and then go forward with the decision ignoring the best facts, ignoring what the advisers and experts - and in this case the generals - are saying is the better approach, then that gets us into trouble.

"Same thing they did on the climate crisis. When the scientists say, we've got to cut down on CO2, they actually censored the scientific reports. ...And Congressman Henry Waxman had these hearings that showed that it was not only one or two times that have come out, but hundreds of times, they censored.

"Now, if the facts are inconvenient, if the truth is unwelcome and if only ideology and politics drives the outcome, then our country makes the kinds of mistakes that has led to our troops being trapped in a civil war." - Al Gore, speaking this week on CNN's Larry King Live.

I've said it before: Al Gore is my hero. And our country is in such disarray, it will take more than hard work and a few miracles to get it back on track - it will need consensus. At the moment, five capable Democrats have declared their candidacy for the presidency: Obama Barack, Hillary Clinton, Christopher Dodd, John Edwards and Bill Richardson. Any of the five probably would do a good job leading the country. But does any one of them have the consensus and widespread across-the-board support needed to get elected? Doubtful.

My theory is that Al Gore can step in and save us from another Republican president. Gore is a man with no skeletons in his closet; a good, honest and decent leader with an outstanding record of public service and hard work. He cares about the environment and is passionate about his belief in the need for change. Most importantly, Al Gore faces reality and speaks the truth - a radical concept I know, considering what we've lived through the past six years.

The former Vice President already understands how the Office of the Presidency works; he knows the nuts and bolts and could get right to work, without wasting time adjusting to protocol. Gore has said repeatedly that he has no intention of running, but the election is still nearly a year-and-a-half away. I hope he changes his mind; America needs him. Listen to his speeches or read his new book The Assault on Reason and see if you agree.

Comments

[Di Overton]

Looks like you aren't going to get him. I saw him interviewed and he just doesn't want it. Shame he seems to be the only one with any sense and integrity.

[JanePoe (aka Deborah)]

I think you are very right about his capabilities, but I do worry about his electability. It's still a popularity and $$ contest ... and although he's about a squeaky clean as a boy scout, will he have anough verve and appeal to capture the imagination and votes of the American electorate?

[kim (via Pearl)]

One more thing...

Did you read Maureen Dowd's snarky column about Al Gore? It was all about how he's fat. What a cow! So, yes... Al may not want to run for president because our "liberal" press and the rethuglicans will eat him alive.

[Rethabile]

I've just seen his film: a plea for the planet. I've always liked the man, whom I first discovered as a student in Tennessee. I hope he runs, although precisely because of his integrity and truth-telling nature, he probably won't.

[AnnieElf]

I caught Al Gore on Larry King the other night. I was totally impressed by him. Very glad he is not playing the politics game and tossing his hat in the ring so early.

[A. E. Roman]

I voted for Gore when he was the Tin Man Who Would Be President. I'd vote for him again even if he was still unable to make-out in public. (Not that important, I think.) I'll also vote for Obama or Hilary. And if the Democrats run a chicken. I'll vote for the chicken. Anything has to be better than this rotten mess of war-is-the-only-solution we have now.

[Clare]

I adore Al Gore -- my husband and I just saw him at a lecture the other night -- he gave a terrific speech and then we all got to go up and have him sign our copy of his newest book "The Assault on Reason." I sure hope he decides to run. I'm glad you wrote this post!

[Colette]

I've said it many times too: Al Gore is my hero. I saw him last night on The Daily Show (yes, I get my news from Jon Stewart these days; at least he's honest) and he made so much sense. I plan to read his book. I need to feel that there is someone out there who has moral courage to speak the truth.

[Southern Heart]

Amen~ He is from my own state, and I would vote for him in a heartbeat. I wish that he would run again, but I'm afraid that last bid discouraged him.

I hope that you're having a good weekend!

Andrea

[Tammy]

The other side would make it so tough on Gore that I would bet he will not run. The only other candidate I would endorse thus far is Barack. XXOO

Tara responds:
Tammy, I can't imagine negative things the Republicans legitimately could say about Gore - he's done only good work since the contested election. That being said, Gore may not want to run because of the negativity engulfing politics these days. Why would anyone want to be president, especially the next one, who has to rise above the hateful legacy of the Bush-Cheney presidency - and is forced to clean up their mess?

[Michelle French]

I think that the closer the election gets—the more pressure is being put on Gore to run. Tara, I plan to be your neighbor anyway!

I categorize myself as a pathological optimist and in no time have I ever felt so hopeless over the State of this Union.

Hillary would be a great Secretary of State, but hasn't got a snowball's chance of being elected President.

[kim (via Pearl)]

I'm oh so discouraged about the US right now. Last night the BBC ran a program on renditions and gitmo -- this morning I re-read the news about the democrats handing Bush more war funding with no strings attached.

Why aren't Americans taking to the streets over this war and every other illegal thing that Bush & Cheney have done?

As I was driving to work this morning I kept thinking that I just don't know how to live in this world. I'm ashamed to be human.

Tara responds:
Kim, I agree with you. The issue of American apathy troubles me to no end. Every day, I wonder where is the outrage??!! I can't believe people aren't protesting in droves.

[ally bean]

"Al Gore faces reality"

He does, doesn't he? I hadn't thought of it like that before. But sadly, in my observations, people who face reality and tell the truth are put down and/or ignored by the mainstream. Somehow, for some reason, being straightforward is perceived as a hindrance.

[tinker]

I would vote for him, but I doubt he'll run again.

I'm hoping one of the four candidates will manage to develop a stronger base over the next year. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

[My Melange]

I am all for a women president...but if Hillary wins, I might be your new neighbor Tara!

Tara responds:
I'd love to have you here, but I don't think Hillary has any chance of winning. Middle America is not going to vote for her and the Democratic vote will be divided among the candidates, until they reach a consensus and nominate just one. And that's where I hope Al Gore comes in...But it's early days and anything can happen.

[GoGo]

I just saw him once again decline running. I wonder if everyone wrote his name in for the primaries he would run. Hmm. I believe we can write names in...perhaps a campaign to get folks to promise to write in his name onto the ballot?

~GoGo