CONCORD, N.H. - Veterans of Al Gore's past are quietly assembling a campaign to draft the former vice president into the 2008 presidential race — despite his repeated statements that he's not running.

His top policy adviser from his 2000 presidential campaign and other key supporters met Thursday in Boston to mull a potential Gore campaign. The participants and Gore's Nashville office both said Gore, who is in London, is not involved.

Elaine Kamarck, a veteran of the Clinton White House and Gore's policy guru in 2000, said the meeting was informal and shouldn't be taken as a sign there will be a Gore 2008 campaign.

Chris Mackin, a Boston consultant and Gore supporter, called it "an early stage conversation." But he added: "We're very serious about exploring this."

Gore's spokeswoman, Kalee Kreider, said the only campaign Gore is on right now is against global warming.

"He so appreciates the sentiment behind efforts like this. But he's been very clear he really has no intention of running for president in 2008," she said.

Gore won a hard-fought primary campaign to become the Democratic nominee in 2000. He won the popular vote, but lost to President Bush after a messy legal challenge ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Since then, the former Tennessee senator has worked against global warming and served on corporate boards, including Google and Apple Inc. Due to a range of business ventures, aides have said Gore could spend as much as $50 million of his own money to launch a credible presidential run.

And, in the background, groups have been lobbying for Gore's return to presidential politics.

"He certainly has the right political climate. How many political candidates are being nominated for Nobel prizes and winning Oscars?" said Dylan Malone, co-founder of AlGore.org and organizer of a political action committee trying to draft Gore.

His work on global warming earned him a Nobel nomination and two Oscar nods for his documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth." He has re-branded himself on late-night television and has brought together a stable of grass-roots supporters.

In 2002, Gore asked Malone to stop a draft effort he had begun; Malone did. Malone started up again and, so far, Gore hasn't waved him off.

"The difference is dramatic. His time has come," Malone said. "We're raising tens of thousands of dollars fairly easily. Our mailing lists are growing so quickly we have to buy new computers."

In a New Hampshire poll released this week, Gore ranked fourth, behind Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama and John Edwards. Gore earned 8 percent.

The results mirror other polls nationwide.

"He certainly is in a position he can get into this," said Doug Hattaway, Gore's campaign spokesman in 2000. "He doesn't need to jump into this right away. He can keep his powder dry for a while."

Gore is scheduled to be in Washington next month to testify on Capitol Hill on global warming.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070208/ap_on_el_pr/draft_gore2008_3

Kelly

How Do You Live Your Dash?

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Bring it on! 

Not really.  Just because I'd win all my "It won't be Hillary" bets is insufficient to wish the Democrats would nominate Al Gore.

And I really wouldn't want to see a sure loser on the ticket either.

Most interesting is the compet between Al and Rush for the Nobel Peace Prize...

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Words fail me.

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

As I listen to the voices on my television excitedly discussing the Obama announcement and 'what in the world should Hillary do NOW???' -- well, it's just durned difficult to think about Gore, isn't it?

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Speaking of Gore - did you guys know that his family has a share in the company that he and others buy and suggest others to buy emission credits from? Well, he does, if you didn't know.

So with that in mind, check out this story. here's the headline: Industry caught in carbon ‘smokescreen’

Jordan .

Aw, picky picky, Jordan.  Like Laurie David explains when charged with hypocrisy because she uses great quantities of petrol traveling by private jet from coast to coast, "Hey, I'm not perfect."  They try.  Sometimes they fail.  But they care. (Unlike some people and I'm not naming aaaaaaany names) That's the important part, isn't it? 

Tonight is the Dem presidential candidates debate in South Carolina. Obama moving up within striking distance of the Hill. No Gore in sight.

But... since I live in a Blue city, I'm always asking my friends and neighbors, "Who's your candidate?" You know who I hear the most frequently? AL GORE! Wow. Show biz can go a long way rehabilitating image.

Whose name do I not hear? Hillary Clinton. The main reason I continue to ask this question is I'm looking for that Democrat who DOES support her. Maybe they're all in New York. But my New York pals are Obama supporters.

I realize it's all anecdotal but maybe Gore stands a chance at the nom. One neighbor of mine is a lobbyist. He is the guy who always has prominent yard signs in a neighborhood where you rarely see political ads of that sort. He regularly travels in Democratic circles -- Sacramento, Washington and throughout the world, staying at the embassy homes of fellow Dems. He is the one who told me that the word is that Gore will step in after Hillary and Obama falter. He'll be seen as the heir apparent and sweep the Democratic constituency off their feet.

That remains to be seen. But it's gonna be fun. I hope.

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

i read the same thing in a Weekly Standard article I believe it was.

That Gore was just waiting until Clinton and Obama drop off the radar and then he would swing in like Tarzan (oh, the imagery!!!) and announce that he is running.

Still waiting if Newt will do the same....(don't think so).

Jordan .

Jordan .

What's the name game ?

I think the Dems should draft Sen Lieberman. Strong on defense and a moderate liberal at home--what about it Dems? Good idea?

Obama-fama-bo-obama, banana-fama-fo-obama...

It's hard to do with a name that starts with a vowel.  I've always liked Chuck.  Too bad Schumer's not running.

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Neither is JFK if you apply today's standards.

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Excuse , double post -I am back from an afternoon of pool at the local tavern.

I just meant that he was elected in 2006 as an Independent and without official party support.

I didn't hear JFK mentioned among the rumored candidates before.  I wonder if he'll show up for tonight's debate.

Jordan .

 Here's the official status from www.senate.gov.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

110th Congress (2007-2009)

Majority Party: Democrat (49 seats)

Minority Party:  Republican (49 seats)

Other Parties: 1Independent; 1 Independent Democrat

Total Seats: 100

Note: Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut was reelected in 2006 as an Independent, and became an Independent Democrat. Senator Bernard Sanders of Vermont was elected as an Independent.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Loser is as Loser does, Sir!

Same bastard that flies private jets (2000 gals per hour) to his "Green Appearances", has an outrageous personal home electric bill, drives SUVs, has a big stake in Occidental Petroleum and Coal (his father's legacy), and now has some Ponzi scheme 'Carbon Credit' trading scam based in London, in which he is sure to earn millions trading cosmic guilt for earthly forgiveness, he's such a fraud.

That Gore he is a mess o slayin'

Gwine go south to ease his guilt

Nevah mind on oil his house is built

Daddy made moolah on coal and oil

Jr. makes his bed so soiled

Trade white man guilt for carbon credits

Day of Judgment say 'Come and Get It!'

Jordan .

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

I have no ideas about the carbon credit/Gore story, as I haven't read anything about it. But I do feel the need to pop in and say "Bush, Cheney, oil", since critical thought about these kinds of conflicts of interest has been a bit out of fashion for the last seven years or so, and I'm quite excited that someone might care about this sort of thing now. Unless it's just who it is and which side they belong to that makes this particular conflict more noteworthy...

Either way, is it possible that what America and the world need right now is to get robbed by Democrats for a few years instead of by Republicans?