Al Gore endorsed Barack Obama tonight. It was a great speech.
Here’s what the New York Times had to say, with a little meaningless Stooks commentary.
Mr. Gore had purposefully stayed on the sidelines during the long Democratic primary fight. He announced his decision to endorse Mr. Obama on Monday afternoon in a message to supporters on the former vice president’s vast e-mail list. Their appearance at the Joe Louis Arena here touched off a flurry of curiosity among Democrats gathered in the crowd, with many quietly asking if Mr. Gore would be on Mr. Obama’s list of prospective running mates.
Al Gore “purposefully stayed on the sidelines during the long Democratic primary fight.” By the way, there was a Clinton in the primary. He was very smart to stay loyal to them. Al never crossed Hillary’s supporters, either. Hmmmmmm.
If they could convince him, Al Gore would be a golden Vice President. They could position him perfectly. If Barack chose Hillary (which is close to impossible), everyone would say “I thought you were about change. I remember her from before.” But Al Gore has been presenting himself as Mr. Future for so long, he’d skip over that charge.
The decision to stage the appearance in Michigan underscored the importance of the state for Mr. Obama. It was also in Michigan that former Senator John Edwards unveiled his endorsement of Mr. Obama in a surprise setting.
…
Every few minutes, Mr. Obama would make a reference to Mr. Gore’s prescient decisions and judgments, referring to Iraq as “a war that Al Gore understood should never have been authorized and never should have been waged.”
Barack Obama and Al Gore would be the “I told you so” candidates. Obama would smash McCain regardless, but the two of them together make John seem more out-of-date than he already does.
Then, Mr. Obama turned to climate change and energy, saying: “Al Gore has done more to educate the world about this problem than anyone, but I have to say, as extraordinary as Al Gore’s work has been, there’s nothing like $4 a gallon gas to get your attention.”
I seriously think the VP job is Al Gore’s if he wants it again. These two are way too good together to not consider it seriously.
From the AP:
In 2000, Gore won the popular vote but lost the disputed election to George W. Bush, who captured Florida and its electoral votes after a divided Supreme Court ended the recount of ballots. Since then, Gore has made combatting global warming his signature issue, and has been recognized worldwide for his effort — from an Academy Award to the Nobel prize.
Al has quite the resume.
“It means a lot, obviously,” Obama said of Gore’s support, as he greeted workers outside the General Motors Flint Engine South plant. “He’s somebody who is a visionary, not just for the party, but for the country.”
Gore also asked for donations to help fund Obama’s effort — the first time he’s asked members of his Web site AlGore.com to contribute to a political campaign.
He didn’t ask his supporters to give to John Kerry? This makes me think the Democrats threw that election so Iraq could get crappier under Bush. Think about it. John Kerry would have the same pile of Iraq shit on his hands that Bush would have. Might as well have the Republicans get the stink on their fingers. I think I’ve proven that, huh? We see right through you, Gore. You weren’t counting on this brain (Seinfeld).
Gore has been sitting pretty since the Academy Award and the Nobel Prize. I bet he doesn’t want anything to do with politics now. His legacy is set. He doesn’t even have to say “I told you so” about the war, the environment, or the price of gas.
I think Obama should pick General Wesley Clark as his running mate. He would completely steal McCain’s military thunder.
Good points on Al. I think he would be a great VP again, but I could see why he wouldn’t want anything to do with politics.
I could see Wes Clark, for sure.