Early reaction to Al Gore's Obama endorsement: Yawn

Some early overnight reaction to the belated endorsement of Barack Obama by Al Gore. And it might disappoint the former vice president and loser in the 2000 White House race.

Exactly what Gore was waiting for in the past two weeks since Obama sewed up his party's nomination is unclear. Maybe he just wanted to go to Michigan where his prize-winning environmental pitch is so very less welcome than other places that don't make so many large cars.

Or maybe he was waiting until his endorsement meant absolutely nothing.

Anyway, as The Ticket reported, Gore said all the right things in his endorsement speech, except he noticeably left out the last Democratic president, the one who chose to elevate Gore from has-been senator to his running mate and has been the only Democrat elected president twice since World War II, which is like the Middle Ages for today's voters.

But within minutes online reaction was underwhelming. Joe Gandelman, editor in chief over at the Moderate Voice, who is usually, well, very moderate, posted an item titled "Obama Gets 'the' Endorsement: The Lousy Timing of Al Gore."

He had this to say:

"Perhaps one day someone will write a chapter in a new book about Al Gore titled 'Profiles in Uncourage.' ... But it came so late in the game that the person who'll be most impressed with it will be Tipper Gore."

After that the item went downhill. Gandelman said the endorsement so long sought by Obama and Hillary Clinton was by now such an anti-climax that it resembled the ponderings about whether Ralph Nader would run yet again.

Ouch, how'd you like to be compared to the 21st century's Harold Stassen?

Or as Jay Leno described the Gore endorsement: “You could feel the excitement in the room. It was unbelievable. And then Al Gore walked in.”

"Not exactly 'Man bites dog' news. Who is Gore going to endorse? John McCain?" asked John Mariner in The Ticket's comments section.

Sam Patel added: "It's a sad day to see one of the Clinton's most loyal supporters essentially dis-own them! Like Bill Richardson, Al Gore was a complete nobody had it not been for Bill Clinton's risky generosity. I bet he now regrets some of those appointments."

Up at the San Francisco Chronicle's politics blog, Joe Garofoli wrote: "We know this will never happen, but hopefully Al will tell us tonight why he didn't endorse somebody when it WOULD HAVE MEANT SOMETHING. Like in February.

"Then again, think of it from his perspective. In his foreseeable role as Captain Planet, he's going to need to work with whoever would be president, so why burn a bridge with a nomination. But isn't Al big enough now (is that a Nobel in your pocket?) that he doesn't have to worry about such petty political matters."

Guess not.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: AP

Comments

[Jaye Ramsey Sutter]

Al Gore is a class act. He could not jump into the fray and endorse anyone if he couldn't endorse Hillary Clinton. He was in the Clinton kitchen the morning after 9/11 because he and the president were working the phones trying to help people. Al Gore couldn't get home because he was out of the country so President Clinton sent a car to Montreal to get Vice President Gore.

Please. They have history. Sure Gore was mad at Clinton--we were all disappointed by the scandal but he is a good, honest and decent man who is loyal to his political allies and friends. Clinton didn't help Gore as much as he could have and it was because Gore didn't ask. A lot of tension and a lot of friendship. Loyalty means something to good people.

Gore did the classy thing. He stayed out of it so he would not embarrass the Clintons and hurt Clinton supporters' feelings, too. Class is really odd now since it has been missing from this campaign all along. Obama wasn't particularly gracious to Hillary. We saw it and we still feel it. Don't piss us off over Al Gore--who is the Clark Kent of American politics. He is so decent. This is decent. Learn from it.

[gerrrg]

Pundits are a bunch of idiots given the bully pulpit to air their grievances aided by a gratuitous press; who the hell cares why Al Gore waited for so long? Oh yeah, idiots with nothing else to say but whatever is on their tiny minds.

[daniel]

Well, it didn't mean anything, but he did give quite an excellent speech tonight. I was impressed. Although, some of it was overly repetitive, it was pretty powerful and persuasive overall.

Just too bad he didn't do it a couple months ago..

[rachel]

Al is a wuss, he waited until it meant nothing. Obama is the worst kind of politican he saying that clinton will be in the forefront praising her in public to make himself look good while stabbing her in the back all the while by hiring someone she let go to be cheif of staff. Obama needs to come down off his high horse. I love the fact that some clinton donors arent donating the dnc, let their money machine obama get them their money after all he controls them now.

[J.N.]

Why is this news? Since when isn't an Al Gore speech a big yawn?

He is better speaker than he was in 2000 thought thats for sure.

BUt expecting AL Gore to make a speech anmd hit it out of the park is like watching a little league pitcher pitch to Barry Bonds in the bottom of the 9th and saying, "I cant believe how far he hit that ball! I expected much more!"

[Health savings accounts]

I still can't believe people seriously thought this guy should be Prez.

[mj]

The opinion making class on Al Gore. The true meaning of tedium. Yawn is right, but more appropriately for this blog.

[Iuliu Vasilescu]

There are many possible motivations for this late endorsement, some of which you mentioned without noticing! For example respect for the Clintons! It was nice to wait until Hillary was out of the race before endorsing her opponent... Or keeping the focus on Obama - it's always good to spread out the good news over time, as people forget very quickly.. and the list can go on. Maybe analyzing such possible motivations would have been more useful than writing a silly article like this?

[Pete]

"He is a third-generation Washingtonian, so watching the political world comes naturally to him"

Silly rabbit. Gore has waited until the perfect moment to endorse Obama -- when the passions from the primary election are cooling. His endorsement cools them further. Maybe you bloggers should have studied some psychology. And -- do you think the endorsement wasn't carefully timed by the Obama campaign for best political effect? If so, you guys are REAL amatuers.

So -- YAWN right back at you.

[Wise1@soapblox.com]

How can reactions be underwhelming when all that was expected was Al Gore to get up, give a quick speech that would endorse Obama with a few sound bytes thrown in to begin with. What were you (or any of the other commentators trapped in the bubble of politics) expecting? A "day that would live in infamy" speech? A JFK "ask not what your country can do for you" speech? Why not Al Gore jumping out of a flaming hoop, juggling while singing the Star Spangled Banner while we're at it?

It's just a political endorsement. Something we won't even be talking about in a week, other than the fact that Al Gore endorsed Obama. Who speaks now of how good Bill RIchardson's speech was? John Edwards? Even Hillary Clinton's speech is disappearing like a castle made of sand on a windy day. It is the nature of timely news inside a bubble of "experts" that analyze every move like a Super Bowl blitz, except we're 1st Quarter, mid-season, and none of this will matter by the end of next Sunday.

Besides if Gore hit it out of the park, you guys would all be saying he's trying to out-do Obama, which likely wouldn't have happened anyhow, since Gore was NEVER a great orator to begin with!

Lastly, Gore's failure to mention Clinton sounds like drama building, as if it were intended to drum up a clever headline that would grab some attention. Sadly it worked as I am here, if even, largely to rebuke your claims. More importantly, is it helpful to the American discourse?

I'll field this one: "no".

[A Reagan Conservative]

Wow, I can't wait until Obama is president. Al Gore says he can fix everything.

I wonder how he plans to get all those Chinese and Indians to stop buying gas so that it is affordable again?

Yawn is right.

[Atiq]

It's ok even though Al has been delayed.

Support Obama is crucial for a change in the world - at least in faith - though actions are not so easy sometimes due to multi-pressure from various forums. but still Obama has shown some guts that he is different and he can give something.

Clinton-supporters should support him without any hesitation due to the fact that he is from Democrate and ultimately, we need a change in policy - no doubt.

[Dave]

Come on, how long have you been covering politics? This is purely political to show the that the Dems are uniting to get a Dem in the White House.

[Mark Jepson]

"..go to Michigan where his prize-winning environmental pitch is so very less welcome than other places that don't make so many large cars."

Are you kidding? Detroiter's are probably very anxious to have the cars they make wanted by Americans over imports. Why don't the GM execs start making fuel efficient cars? Like yesterday even! If they did then Detroit would be a thriving modern beautiful city again bc they would be selling cars to all Americans instead of only those that need pick up trucks or SUV's to carry the kids.

[Bob]

Who is All Bore, oops, I mean Al Gore? Oh yea, he is the Carbon Credit King who lives in a McMansion and streams a trail of smoke everywhere he flies!

http://klintons.com

[Dick]

Excuse me, Gore a class act? What on earth have you been smoking. This guy is a complete and total living anus.

[Martin]

Perhaps if you'd all stop slobbering over Russert and actually report some news for a change, people might take notice.

[Dave McCracken]

You can download Al Gore's patents for free in PDF format from Patent Retriever - http:/www.patentretriever.com

[Thomas]

Could you have written a more cynical article? Actually, if anyone is a "has-been" these days its the Clintons rather than Gore.

[julia]

Now, pete. That's not fair.

Surely you've read Mr. Malcolm's bio. He's hardly an amateur. He's one of the Republican campaign operatives who brought us our current remarkably successful president.

Why wouldn't you listen to him now with a track record like that?

[Stray]

"Al Gore is a class act. He could not jump into the fray and endorse anyone if he couldn't endorse Hillary Clinton. He was in the Clinton kitchen the morning after 9/11 because he and the president were working the phones trying to help people. Al Gore couldn't get home because he was out of the country so President Clinton sent a car to Montreal to get Vice President Gore."

That's interesting. I didn't know Clinton and Gore were in charge the day after 9/11. I guess Michael Moore got it all wrong...

People forget that Al Gore made the mistake of endorsing early with Howard Dean who then promptly screamed himself into oblivion. Gore's support was considered the kiss of death after that...

[Tom Thrailkil]

Smart campaign tactics for Gore to "now " join the Obama camp. More front page headlines for Obama means less exposure for McCain. And like Dave commented, this is political show, but this is the season from now until November.

[ann]

Wow, you don't know much about Michigan, that is obvious. And thanks for the nasty comment that we don't care about the environment. The Los Angeles Times has told me the way it is, so I guess I will go crank up my Ford 350 and drive the 1/8 mile to work now.

Al Gore won this state in 2000. His popularity has increased even more. And Obama needs to win Michigan. So why wouldn't he bring this announcement and attention to Michigan by letting Gore endorse him here? It got ALOT of attention here, whether or not those on the coasts noticed.

[Bob]

That's what politics is all about; also why nothing ever get accomplished in Washington. Everybody is always worried about what the next guy is thinking instead of doing what is right. Who decides what is right? Lobbyists. The group with the most money chooses the agenda for the political parties to follow. The founding fathers wanted this republic to be by the people and for the people, but the years have caused a few people to be allowed to decide what is right for our country. The people have little to say. Dick Cheney is the actual president of the United States- not George Bush.

[jean jaques]

yawn! another wanna be pretty smart blog blurb...

[Karl]

Please be certain, I am not a Gore fan, but his endorsement was exciting enough for you to write about it. Your article was the yawn.

[Adrian]

These pundits are a yawn, spinning their crap under the banner of the L.A. Times. They contribute nothing.

But they attract some hardcore Bushies, lovely and expansive people all, like the guy above who says: "I still can't believe people seriously thought this guy should be Prez."

Wow, some of these people need to leave their mini-mansions more often. Yeah, we are so much better off with Dubya Gump and The Dick than we'd have been with Gore. Right.

[Laird Popkin]

This article is a nice example of a reporter trying to fit the news into their pre-conceived story and failing.

Endorsements can either be used during the primaries to try to support one candidate over the other, or at the end of the primaries, to rally the party around the winner. Gore has been saying for a year that he wanted to stay neutral in the primaries, and was going to use his endorsement to bring the party together to win the general election. Last night he did exactly what he said that he would do. The fact that you prefer drama over party unity, and Gore cars more about winning the general election, is illuminating.

[rachel]

Well I take what I said back if anyone can help Obama its the person that "created" the internet.

[whitehousewatcher]

Al Gore is a great man. The inventor of the internet, the founder of a cure for cancer and many, many more accomplishments that have cured most of the ills of civilization. Be easy on this gentle giant of a man. The world needs him.

[Scarlete]

Al Gore endorsed Obama! Yippee!

Al, the big time eviromentalist who's home cost thousands of dollars for energy. Liberals, compare Al's home with the Bush ranch -- the energy saving are astronomical at the ranch -- eat on it! Same old liberal slop: talk big, walk not! Do as I say, not as I do is the mantra of Al and others akin to him. Consequently, his endorsement of Obama simply adds another "give me" politician to the Obama camp -- Al is hoping for a hand out from the other politician: Obama.

Read the truth about the so-called environmentalist: http://wizbangblog.com/content/2007/02/26/al-gores-own-inconvenient-trut.phpnd

[Wolfgang]

Who is Sam Patel?
Was he even around when Clinton run first time?
At that time, I remember well, Al Gore was at least as known as Clinton. And a few weeks earlier, Al Gore was much kore know as Mr Clinton.
IMO, Al Gore now is a Nobel Prize winner which I personally like much better than any US president!
W.

[Allison]

I think Barack Obama should tap Al Gore's shoulder as his running mate. He has the VP experience and he should have been honed for the Presidency...

[jesse]

You like him or hate him it does not matter. Al Gore is a World Leader. He has a universal audience. He is rare, credible, smart, disciplined, thoughtful, unselfish and with lots of innovative ideas for the future. In my book of world leaders, Al Gore is one of the top five. He is an Asset to the Democratic Party, the Nation and the World. Do you know any one who is or has been a Senator, Vice President of the US, an Oscar Winner and Noble Prize Winner among our current or past crop of leaders?
The only one I know is Al Gore.

[John W]

Yeah... it's true... Al's a little late. He should have thrown his support behind one of the Democratic candidates sooner... that is, of course, if he still gave a good gosh darn about Washington politics... which he clearly doesn't. It's not as though he hasn't stated numerous times how done he is with Washington. The man's life is focused on educating people about global climate change now (which we've all experienced recently). Cut him some slack.

[John W]

Yeah... it's true... Al's a little late. He should have thrown his support behind one of the Democratic candidates sooner... that is, of course, if he still gave a good gosh darn about Washington politics... which he clearly doesn't. It's not as though he hasn't stated numerous times how done he is with Washington. The man's life is focused on educating people about global climate change now (which we've all experienced recently). Cut him some slack.

[jesse]

You like him or hate him it does not matter. Al Gore is a World Leader. He has a universal audience. He is rare, credible, smart, disciplined, thoughtful, unselfish and with lots of innovative ideas for the future. In my book of world leaders, Al Gore is one of the top five. He is an Asset to the Democratic Party, the Nation and the World. Do you know any one who is or has been a Senator, Vice President of the US, an Oscar Winner and Noble Prize Winner among our current or past crop of leaders?
The only one I know is Al Gore.

[William Snyder]

The Nobel Peace Prize is a pathetic joke..and Al gore is still a celebrated clown..

[Jake]

Martin:

I think we can all agree, you defintely are not a class act.

[Russ S]

I guess every article has to have a angle.

I think Gore's timing is pretty good. He's of such stature that he shoudn't be playing around in the primaries anyway.

That said, it's not clear which voters this will bring to Obama that weren't already with him.

[Mr. Unite Us]

Both the L.A. Times and Al Gore endorsed Barack Obama.

However, yesterday I get the feeling Andrew Malcolm and the L.A Times were more into the gay marriage thingy.

[JayMar]

Comrade Gore is a great politician.

[Nathaniel]

Amazing. A few hours after an endorsement is made is NOT enough time to "read" the reaction of the general public.

Noble Peace Price = Class act. Stop fighting against facts you ignorant haters.

And Gore did not win the 2000 election. But to say he straight up lost is to forget the true history of that event. Not to mention he had more votes.

Some of you have nothing but hate.... NOTHING ... stop waisting the information age and find a fact or two.

[Hatshepsut]

What would have been classy is if Gore had had the integrity to come out some weeks ago (as Hillory was being pilloried) to declare that, however popular Obama was with youth, Hillory Clinton was the most electable, and as a superdelegate, his one and only charge being to vote in accordance with which candidate was most electible. he therefore was endorsing Hillary!!!!

That simple honest statement was too much for him! But the truth is that Gore had teamed with Donna Brazile long ago to help SELECT rather than ELECT Obama and allowed the same sort of shenanigans within the DNC that he experienced in running for Prez!

[sybredeth]

"I invented endorsements!" - Al Gore

[Tony]

Class act all the way. The pundits once again don't have their finger on the American pulse.

[Mark Gary Blumenthal, MD, MPH]

President Gore has more brains and makes more sense than all of you pundits put together. He doesn't need your approval any more. Where's the Nobel Prize in any of your pockets? I'd guess that Gore and Obama discussed the content and timing of his speech before he presented it. Gore correctly said nothing about the Clintons. That's not his mission. Gore's mission has chiefly to do with keeping the Earth livable, and I'd wager that's a role he'll play in Obama's admininistration.

[Frederick]

Big Al is beginning to look like Commander Doe of Heaven's Gate lore, standing in front of all those meteorological images. By the way, what did Tipper do with all that film she took on the campaign trail back in 2000?

[Rae Duval]

Al Gore is a class act. And performed yet another one.
Would love to see Obama/Gore ticket.

[hereandthere]

Al Gore id for Gore and not for anyone or any cause or any other principle. His scurrilous financial dealings, including a 48 million gain on a faltering cable tv deal that diverts merely a few million to the cable venture itself should be subjects of a federal investigation.

[abiyman]

None of you cynical, big mouth pundits can win thousands of votes if you run for an election. Al is loved by many people because he is a decent human being. Get real, and stop fussing about Al's timing. His endorsement still matters.

[hereandthere]

Al Gore id for Gore and not for anyone or any cause or any other principle. His scurrilous financial dealings, including a 48 million gain on a faltering cable tv deal that diverts merely a few million to the cable venture itself should be subjects of a federal investigation.

[aaron]

DAH; Obviously Mr Gore delayed his endorsment of Mr Obama because Obama was not his first choice for President, but being a devout democrat, who else could he endorse, (Mr Mccain?)
As far as how important his endorsment is (as ted kennedy's was) not a whole lot.

[Cliff]

Who did you expect him to endorse, John McCain. I am convinced that if Satan was a Dem and Jesus himself was a Republican that fool would have endorsed Satan. The reason why he did not want to endorse him sooner is because he did not want to tie his rope to a sinking ship if he would have lost. If this idiot could not make a decision on who to endorse when it was crucial, what makes anyone think he could have made the hard decisions as the President.

[Steve]

I didn't think Gore's endorsement was particularly big news, either. But what are you doing here -- trying to make news out of something that isn't news? Summarizing other peoples' quotes about how much it isn't news, just in case we hadn't already read about the astounding extent to which the endorsement is not news?

I'll break the cycle by not including any quotes about how your own article is a yawner, though it appears there are many to choose from.

[Steve]

You elected Bush two times and anyone that is not nasty to your standards is un American.

If the Republicans and the Democrats were separated by north and south we would have a civil war.

[saint peter II]

the idea that elected and appointed officials owe each other loyalty is hopelessly skewered, they owe loyalty to the people and they owe the one who advanced them their best efforts on the job. they don't owe political loyalty. owing political loyalty in such cases makes for a closed old boy type of system that overrides the public interest. ps, they also don't owe their first born no matter how much such characters as james caraville may think so www.saintpeterii.com

[Hairinmyhiney]

Al Gore...wasn't he a politician once or something?

[PATRICIA]

Al Gore is not only a classy man, he is a man who not only TALKS about his truths, but LIVES them, inconvenient or not, and does not change them on a daily or weekly basis as some do their suits.

If that's yawn material, then give me a HUGE yawn ... the collective brain is obviously in dire need of oxygen.

[the anti-gerrrg]

"You think this is a worthless endorsement you must all be dumb or stupid" - gerrrg

[Greg in TX]

I think following the Kiss of Death(when he endorsed Howard Dean in 2004) Gore decided to chill out on the whole endorsement thing. The most politically savvy thing he's ever done is to be a senator from a southern state and to be handsome.

That's nothing to shake a stick at.

However, he is neither of those now, so that leaves him more or less a good crowd draw, but not much of a political powerhouse. He certainly didn't have the gall to turn against the Clintons.

[BrianK]

Thanks Al... for the meaningless endorsement of Obama. Why not wait until October? Oh - And Thanks for creating the Internet. I wouldn't be able to post this if it weren't for your efforts. Bwah! Hah! Hah!

[bryan berg]

Al Gore lies... wins nobel prize.

[cARLOS cALDERON]

Gore may not be a class act but compared to George Bush. No doubt Al Gore IS A CLASS ACT.

[ronjazz]

Yes, the usual rightwing crapola from the ignorant side of America. Fortunately, you people are finished screwing up the country,and the adults will take over in January, once again leaning up your messes. This column is stereotypical of the emotional immaturity that passes for political thought in the conservative press, and is another indication of why the right is swirling the bowl. America says "good riddance".

[Scarletej]

Al Gore is another empty suit endorsing the same.

Read about Al, the great environmentalist -- he's a joke! Follow the legitimate link and realize the truth about him:
http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/energy-efficiency/perhaps-al-gore-should-ask-george-w-bush-for-help-in-making-his-house-more-energy-efficient.htm

[San Diego Reader]

Early reaction? I think the writer means his editor.

The LA Times is becoming as Republican as the Union Tribune.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com

[ainnj]

Al Gore, a day late and a dollar short once again. Al Gore, still holding a grudge, what else is new? He wows 'em in a hall chock a block full of obamabots, preaching to the choir. Dig the "Heil Obama" salute he gives on the Obama web site...it's just plain old creepy. Al Gore, the perfect Obama team player! Yeah, elections DO count Al, too bad you were so vindictive and stubborn in 2000 that you dissed the support of the one man that could have gotten you into the White House despite Florida. Al Gore, vindictive loser once again.

McCain 2008
Hillary 2012!!

[hulga]

This is silly.

Gore obviously waited to throw his support behind the nominee, whoever that turned out to be. Nothing wrong with that. Only those who wanted favors from Lord Obama (like Richardson) deserted the Clinton's repeatedly-torpedoed-by-the-media-and-the-DNC ship.

Gore did the right thing.

[Harry Coverston]

Early reaction to Top of the Ticket's blog on Al Gore's Obama endorsement: Yawn

[Karen]

Gore is Pathetic! It's not enough that he has raped the american public pocketbook with his global warming dribble, now he comes out and endorses the biggest carpet bagger ever! Obama is not CHANGE, he is Chicago corrupt manipulative politics at it's finest, selling the american public a bill of goods. He panders to the masses who are being led like sheep to the slaughter...don't come crying to me when you don't have milk for your children...just go get in line at the welfare office for the redistribution of wealth that Obama and the rest of the dems want to see. Gore needs to go home to Tipper, put his apron on and quit flying around buring up all the carbon credits with his hot air. What a joke...get out your 10 speed bike all you environmental wacko's and trot yourself to work...and while your at it, you better plant a garden and start raising some chickens because the price of gas and food will be a luxury that only the Al Gores of this world will be able to afford!

[captain obvious]

I am not a writer but is it considered journalism when you just cut and paste quotes from other people's articles? How about an original thought, bozo. I had this to say about your article; "snore".

[John]

A Inconvenient truth; Al Gore means nothing to the campaign.

[Drifter]

Yawn?

Former Vice President and Nobel Piece Price Winner Al Gore is cofounder and Chairman of Generation Investment Management, a firm that is focused on a new approach to Sustainable Investing.

Gore is also cofounder and Chairman of Current TV, an independently owned cable and satellite television network for young people based on viewer-created content and citizen journalism. A member of the Board of Directors of Apple Computer, Inc. and a Senior Advisor to Google, Inc. Gore is also Visiting Professor at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

AND WHO ARE YOU, YAWNER? A COMPLETE IDOT, JUST LIKE SOME POSTERS HERE!

[kate bradley]

What an obvious right-wing hack piece this is. And half the responses read as if they are written by KArl Rove's understudies. YAWN is right - same, tired old smears on Al Gore, who by the way won, not lost, the 2000 election.

[Joe Bento Col US Army Ret]

GORE todays news Clinton yesterdays news. I love it when the pundits and media underestimate our man Obama. There is a method to the movement he has rallied and it will bring him to the White House in January. The pebble has hit the water the wave is starting to pick up steam. Mc Same is not honoring our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan by not supporting an improved GI Bill. Shame on you McWar.

OBAMA / GORE Not bad
OBAMA / WEBB better in my book

Barack and Rollin 2008!

p.s. Welcome aboard Patti Solis te queremos!

YES WE CAN / SI SE PUEDE CON OBAMA

[Sue]

Oh the great Obama One can take care of/fix anything/solve the world's problems, has all the experience needed to rule the world and bring everyone to salvation. Thank God we are saved by Gore's endorsement. Yeah Obama has certainly supported/initiated/talked about/given great rousing speeches about the environment. He is the gift that just keeps on giving to everyone's hopes and dreams and wishes. Maybe he can get gas down to below $2.00/gallon. Then I'll vote for the "One."

[L. Kellogg]

Yawn...big deal...one loser endorses another loser...where is the news value in that??

[Danielle Cordova]

Obama isn't going to win anyway. The guy is a jerk and america isn't gullible enough to fall for his slime-ball tactics.

[tradamerica]

Gore is a decent man, of that I have no doubt. But he is sooooo shallow as to have his cape waiting in the closet before he was ordained Captain Planet.

[Todd Hackett]

totally useless analysis.
he stayed out of it in part, in case he had to mediate a solution to an Obama / Hillary convention stand-off.

and as people here have already, written, the endorsement is timely now, b/c O needs help now, to win the election and unite the party.

oh -- yeah... shocking that Gore didnt mention Bill C... are you kidding? it's an endorsement.. for Obama. that means he talks about Obama.

[MikeB]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZ. . .

Having wimped out in the last presidential election, Al Gore now bravely endorses . . . uh . . . the Democrat who's got the nomination in his pocket.

"Profiles in Political Courage," this ain't.

[Martin]

Wow! I have not seen a more cynical, biased political article since I last turned on Fox News. Its a good thing Mr. Malcolm's piece isn't being run in a nationally read periodical in a major newspaper, otherwise he'd just embarrass himself. Oh wait...

[John]

WHOA! Gore endorses Obama. Didn't see that one coming.....

this most likely still doesn't help that half the party (Clinton's half) is still against him.

[Brian]

Obama sure is looking to the future by dredging up the past and getting on the same stage with Al, who graciously took time out from saving the planet to endorse Obama.

[L. Kellogg]

Yawn...again, where's the news value of your article? i.e...where one loser endorses another loser?

[LW]

Gore may be the biggest flip flop in history. By a credit fly a corp jet. By the way Mark GM has more cars over 30 MPG than the big T or H.

[Bob D]

Obama should get on stage with Gore, Kerry, Kennedy, and Dukakis or as I like to call them, 'The Big Four'. When you see them you think 'LOSERS' and nothing else. If he does that, it will become 'The Big Five' who will never be president!

[bob]

Excelsior !!!!!!

Gore's pompously overblown sense of self is never more on display than now. As if his endorsement, at this point, means diddly poo to any voter.

Gore and his whole Captain Planet crowd are thrilled that oil prices are over $100. It's what they've been trying to accomplish by preventing US drilling, and now they get to blame it on Bush.

Gore is such a doofus. South Park had it right --- he's desperate just to have someone treat him as if he were important.

Obama would be smart to thank him for the endorsement, and then go back to ignoring him completely.

[cadiz]

Hey if the dems dislike Obama and the reps dislike McCain , why can't we have a Hucklebe and Clinton ticket at least both parties would have a inteligent choice to vote for. I really dislike this Bushy Gore candy bar the parties are craming down our throats. I am a democrat and think there are alot better choices for president on both sides.Does anyone else think this is rediculous?

[Robt]

You would have to be a complete odiot to care what Al Gore had to say about anything. The guy is such a two faced lying piece of ....work. Mr. Environmentalist owned 2 tons of Oxy stock and now owns interest in a firm selling carbon credits. Jesus, why not just skip right to the snake oil you scum bag.

If the people who buy his crap had a brain that didn't require a micrometer to measure they would realize that "global warming" is as predictable as the rain and has occurred regulary for at least the last 600,000 years as documented by science, no myth. There is nothing that he or any other huamn is going to do about it. Stop trying to play God as nature WILL takes its course.

[Oh Yea]

Sounds like an article written for Republican Lunatics by a Republican Lunatic. Oh and to the Health Savings Account's post "I still can't believe people seriously thought this guy should be Prez" . . . Like your Beloved Bush did any better.

[GW]

Al "ManBearPig" Gore endorsed Obama. So why exactly is this news? I mean realy, who cares? Obama already won the nomination (without Gore's endoresement) and does anyboday actually think Gore was going to endorse Sen. McCain?

[Jeff]

IMHO, many here have completely missed the point.

Al Gore, giving an endorsement in Detroit, after the nomination was sewn up, was perfect timing:
(a) It shows a level of respect for Senator Clinton.
(b) It keeps Obama in the news cycle, and keeps the positive momentum going
(c) It gives environmentalists a clear direction
(d) It gives an economically impacted Detroit hope for the future. Detroit can once again become the king of automobile manufacturing if they start producing greener vehicles, especially now that gasoline is > $4 a gallon.

This was not an election clincher, but it's definitely added support to the wave.

[Steve]

Al Gore is a buffoon. He was wrong about global warming, and in this case he was simply a wimp.

It would seem to me that at this point he would be completely not relevant. If he isn't, he should be.

In short, Al - who cares what you have to say?

[jim]

Al Gore a LOSER, oh please...what authur do u think u are? The authur sure have a lot of guts to "write" all the crap he/she wants and what the heck is he/she doing, siting their little ass in the office. Why dont u run for 2000 race see if u even have one voter. what a loser this authur write about. Doesnt ur mom ever told u not to say bad things about people and keep it to yourself. Fool u are.

[michael]

Al WHO???...

[Brad]

It would be awesome to have a president who isn't influenced by lobbyist and oil companies that paid their (the politicians) way to the White House. I think they will better serve the people instead of the big corporations. Giving them tax breaks they don't need and letting them get away with what ever they feel like such as jacking up prices, making record profits and calling it fair trade is a big joke!

[CONTROLLED DEMOLITION]

911 WAS AN INSIDE JOB CARRYED BY YANK M-O-T-H-E-R F-U-C-K-E-R-S THEMSELVES.

THERMATE CUTTER CHARGES WERE USED BY LARRY SILVERSTEIN AND INSTALLED BY ISRAELIS ON THE ORDER OF BUSH GOVERNMENT.

The yank bastards wanted to steal the oil of the world and brow beat russia, china and india into slavery.

[Ted]

Did any of the posters here listen to the speech? It was dramatic, forceful and clear.

Perhaps the posters who criticize Gore are right; perhaps he has done some bad things? But what are they? Explain. What specifically has he done, or what did he say in the speech to be called "a complete and total living anus" Give specific examples so that your argument holds weight.

[political observer]

Why is algore considered a yawn?!? Come on people, he invented the internet! He's also a global climatologist! He... he won the nobel prize! He.. He's from Tennessee! A big yawn! You just wait! He will invent the no-gas car that can fold up in your pocket so you don't have to pay for parking! You just wait! You'll be sorry you called algore a big yawn!

[HippyHawk]

I like Both the Men alot but alas Washington will be Washington and nice speeches while nice are really just alot of hot air that is killing the ozone!

[Jody]

Martin...Excellent thought about all this slobbering over Russert. Enough is enough. As far as Gore, who cares.

[HippyHawk]

Who is All Bore, oops, I mean Al Gore? Oh yea, he is the Carbon Credit King who lives in a McMansion and streams a trail of smoke everywhere he flies!

Now that is funny right there no matter who you are!

[Andree]

I thought his endorsement was fabulous and I was glued to the TV. His timing is perfect. Just in time for McCain. Obama did just fine in the primaries. Now he needs the big guns. Plus it's not like Gore has gobs of extra time on his hands. His travel schedule related to his climate work is fairly intense. Let's just look at mid-March through mid-May. 7 global destinations, and 15 trips total. That's like a trip every four days. I think he's amazing.

May 19, 2008--Israel
May 18, 2008--Pittsburgh
May 4, 2008--Ohio
May 3, 2008--Philadelphia
May 2, 2008--New York
April 18, 2008--Nashville
April 15, 2008--Geneva
April 11, 2008--San Francisco
April 8, 2008--Iceland
April 7, 2008--Faroe Islands
April 5, 2008--Montreal
March 18, 2008--New York
March 15, 2008--India
March 12, 2008--Poland
March 11, 2008--Geneva

[RM]

It takes a loser to know (endorse) a loser.

[Doug]

Why should Gore be any different now than he's always been?

He kept the Clintons conveniently at a distance so as to help his campaign in 2000, effectively abandoning them. Had he stuck by them and asked for their help, he might well have won in 2000. I for one am glad he did what he did as a Gore presidency would have redefined the meaning of disastrous.

But then in 2004, he turned his back on Joe Lieberman, his erstwhile running mate from 2000, to endorse the flavor of the month, Howard Dean, who was a very questionable candidate very much to the far left of his party. Scary that Dean is now head of that party as DNC Chairman.

So then when that didn't work out and he was cast into the political wilderness, he got lucky that Kerry lost in 2004 so he could redeem himself. He then cooks up some fictional account of climate change that makes himself look real good - again! He gets a hyper-political IPCC behind him which him look even more plausible. Only this time fortune finally smiles upon him and the Bush Administration is so distracted by Iraq, they don't notice the nonsense that's floating around about climate change until it's too late......by then the public has been buffaloed into thinking Al is a real genius over this climate change thing.......which is unfortunately where we find ourselves today.

But ever since he was out soliciting funds and support from the National Soft Drink Association in the early 1980s for his Senate run at the time, it's all been about Al......it's always been about Al.

I'm a grown-up and as a former Wasingtonian am used to the fictioanl nonsense that surrounds such people and their careers and ambitions. But DON'T for a minute try to fantasize that Al Gore of all people is some kind of class act for the 21st Century!

[sailhardy]

To those of you who think an Al Bore endorsement is trivial, remember his glowing endorsement of Howard Dean's abortive candidacy on the eve of the Iowa caucus in 2004. That endorsement of Howard Dean propelled John Kerry seamlessly to the Democratic nomination for the presidency, and the American electorate's endorsement of George W. Bush's presidency.

'Way to go, Big Al.

[Jason]

If Gore wasn't going to endorse someone when it mattered, he shouldn't have bothered officially endorsing anyone at all.

[Deanna]

I wrote Little Al off months ago as did most Democrats, both Clinton and Obama supporters.
His failing in this election will go hand in hand with his inability to handle the mess that was the 2002 election in Florida. He hung back there and got handed a loss. In hind sight? I am not certain that even if he had won that things would be much different. He has shown his true colors and inability to take the hard course which is what is so needed in a President.
Then again perhaps he was acting like an errant child who had his toy taken away and he was not going to help the "pretenders in his mind" gain what he had so publicly given up.

[Historian1956]

To Wise1:

If, as you state, speeches are not important, then the following people would never have been considered presidential material, based initially on great speeches given at the Democratic National Conventions:

Barack Obama
William Jefferson Clinton
Mario Cuomo
Ann Richards

just to name a few.

Giving good speech gives relatively unknown politicians national forums and notice, which can be utilized later if they have further and grander ambitions. Great inaugural speeches set the tenor of administrations and healing speeches at times of crisis can calm a country's nerves. Don't underestimate the power of a great speech, with catch phrases that remain long after the situation in which they were given has been forgotten.

[Deanna]

To the idiot who stated that Al did not endorse and that it was classy based on his past friendship with the Clintons...YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING RIGHT?
People should NEVER take the friendship roade when the life blood of this country are fighting for the right to govertn it. THAT is when true meddle is shown and one has to make a hard choice. Al FAILED as a commander in chief wanna be.

[Organizer]

Oh yeah, Al Gore is a nobody. A nobody with a Nobel, Oscar, Grammy and who was actually elected President of the United States. A man who, thanks to the ham-handed mis-steps of Bill Clinton during the recent campaign, was the leader of the Democratic Party until Barack Obama secured the nomination. A man whose endorsement was considered the most important "get" by every Democratic candidate.

Come on, people - get real. If Al Gore campaigns extensively in FL this Fall, every currently angry Democratic voter would flock to Barack Obama. His endorsement was the most desired for a reason.

I'm a strong Obama man and while I would have liked to see him endorse the Senator earlier, I'm sure the timing was Obama's choice. He needed a splash in Michigan. Anyone notice that the last big endorsement by Edwards was also in Michigan? Grow up, people. The pre-season is over. We're in the finals now.

By the way, if you ever want to make money betting on politics, assess the conventional wisdom of pundits and put your money on the exact opposite of their "informed" opinions.

[Linda]

I really wish he was running for Prez. I would vote for him in a heart beat! He should have had it last time, and if he did our country would not be where it is today in a mess.

[Stan Marsh]

Leave the guy alone. He's got too much on his plate to be worrying about which Democratic candidate to support. Without Al Gore, who would lead the hunt for Man-Bear-Pig? Nobody, that's who! He's doing his part to protect us all!

[American Reader]

What a biased, lousy article! If you can't give an honest accounting of the facts, devoid of PERSONAL bias, then stop writing. Nobody has time to waste on crap like this.

[Patrick, Ohio]

Much time has passed since Gore found his calling in saving the planet, but as a politician, Gore is a loser. For one, he couldn't even keep his own home-state to support him in his election.

In any case, yawn is the definitely right word. Endorsements never works for me. Why would I or anyone care what Ted or Caroline Kennedy thinks. I know what *I* want. That's what matters. And I DO NOT want Obama. Period.

For those who says Obama is about Change? Sure, he changes. Whatever you voters want to hear, he'll change his lines to something you want to hear. That's what Obama is about. Obama can't pull wool over my eyes (and the 18 million strong fellow voters). That says a lot.

And let me tell you something, however Obama might want to spin it, being young and inexperienced does NOT qualify him to be the president.

[Scott]

Too little, too late.

[Don Eskridge]

Al Gore is a complete idiot. How else to characterize a man who lost the presidency to someone who has been widely described as a buffoon? While his movie may have played well to psuedo-scientists, in 20 years people will look back at those who worshipped the Goracle as complete and total wastes of brainpower.

Quote Bugs Bunny: "What a Maroon!!"

[Reagan Democrat]

reagan conservative..

Just to keep Republicans from revising history and rallying around another lie. Your screen name reminded me - I just would like to remind people.

Reagan was not a neo-conservative like the current batch. He won by atrtacting some (Reagan) Democrats to his side because he was more moderate.

It seems Republicans want to rally around Reagan and act as if HE would approve of the current rediculous spending, economic suicide that republicans now appear to bless and rationalize.

Unless of course they plan on solving the energy crisis by capturing the power generated from him SPINNING IN HIS GRAVE!

Proof that even after you die Republicans can still steal your reputation.

[Jerry]

Can anyone tell me why we should care about Al Gore's endorsement. He's a has been loser! By the way there's a tree that needs a hug in far northern Canada. That should keep Al Gore busy for a couple years.

[EarthIsMelting]

AlBot Gore is required to cheer up ObamaBots who keep getting their legs shaken by Obama speeches. Find more of Dems drama of people coming up and endorsing Osama and all these morons getting to hear their messiah again. What a country.....

[william]

Al who?

[Ted Pendergrass]

Early reaction to your article: Double Yawn

[Adam]

Yawn? Are you kidding? Gore gave a great speech and he showed a lot of class in the timing of his endorsement. We can only hope that he'll agree to be Obama's running mate. The two seemed to be genuinely comfortable on stage together.

[Glennis]

Al Gore is, and has always been a big bore. But he's so impressed with himself he wouldn't notice that no one else is. What a pompous blowhard.

[Andre Jackson]

The thing I think is most striking about your piece is the implication that it might do something else. I for one never thought the endorsement of one of the non-primary participants to be anything earthshaking. And the fact that it isn't is no insult to either party; endorser or endorsee. My question to you would be... what exactly did you expect? The significance of Gore's endorsement is not in any perceived bump it might produce, but in the further unification it signifies for the Democratic Party. It took Carter a while too and understandably so-- and he actually occupied the office. But it was good to see him come along. More than anything, its probably a good sign that the news, the freshness and the excitement still centers around this candidate and not some attending or would-be "king-maker". Its time to let Obama be Obama.

[EarthIsMelting]

AlBot Gore is required to cheer up ObamaBots who keep getting their legs shaken by Obama speeches. Find more of Dems drama of people coming up and endorsing Osama and all these morons getting to hear their messiah again. What a country.....

[Jeff]

The commentary doesn't make sense. I agree that the endorsement is meaningless at this point, but the claim that his endorsement of both too late to matter and that its s slap in the face to the Clintons is nonsense. Quite likely Gore didn't endorse during the primary precisely because he didn't want it to be a slap in the face to the Clintons. And besides, this idea that somehow "loyalty to the boss" is supposed to be a guiding force in politics is nonsense. Why on earth would be want politicians who blindly did favors for those that helped them into power? This is what we call corruption. Basically all of the people complaining about Richardson and Gore, etc., not "being thankful enough" to Bill are advocating for a more corrupt political system. Ehhh....

[BP]

Andrew Malcolm is about 100 years old and that speech was way past his bedtime, no wonder he was yawning!!

Next time Obama speaks at 3pm we'll let you know Gramps!

[rplat]

Of course Gore endorsed Obama . . . who do you think taught Obama to be an empty suit. They make a matched pair.

[thomas]

HILARY HAD THE BALLS TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT. AND WOULD HAVE WON IF SHE DIVORCED BILL!!! AL GORE IS JUST A COWARD. AFRAID TO COME OUT AND MAKE A COMMITMENT. THERE'S ALOT MORE ISSUES THAN JUST HIS GLOBAL WARMING THEORY..

[Me]

I have never seen anyone bashed so much as Gore.
I atribute it to his pasive nature. He is getting run over ant takes the high road and gets bashed for that even. And by such ignorant people. Read the pro/con comments here and you should be able to tell the diference between IQs of the author. This just proves Al Franken's books. Look 'em up they are very entertaining and insightfull. I would like Gore to be the VP with Obama. Al Franken Secretery of "calling people on their BULL SH*T".

[Diggs]

Obama should be pretty pumped that he got the endorsement of the first Democratic Party presidential candidate to lose to Chimpy McHitlerburton. He's now been endorsed by the two biggest losers of the 21st century.
Hooray.

[Mark]

For all those that key praising Gore. There is a reason that he didn't win his home state in the election. The people of Tennessee remember the positions he took as a senator for the state, which for the most part went against what the citizens of the state wanted.

The man is a crusader that will use any means to get what he wants. He does not listen to facts, nor is there any logic in his thinking. For the most part, he has alienated the people he was suppose to serve, all in the name of whatever crusade he was on at the time.

In simple terms get a grip, the man is not good for the country.

[jill]

In 2000 it seemed like it would be impossible for a guy named Bush and known for being the type of guy that everyone wanted to party with, could beat the brilliant, experienced Al Gore. When Bush won I thought we must be a nation of fools. In 2004 after 4 years of Bush it seemed that almost anyone could beat Bush and once again this nation voted Bush over Kerry.

In this primary season I thought, a vote for Obama over Hillary made about as much sense as a vote for Bush over Gore did.............but this nation continued to be misled by a media that appeared to be as in love with Obama as a school girl with a crush. It now appears as though we will nominate an inexperienced new guy promising change although we know not what type of change other than a raise in taxes. Although Obama promises some type of national health care, we know that he has no experience and very little to no chance of getting this "national health care" running.

Perhaps Al Gore was waiting to see if this nation would be smart enough to nominate the most electable and experienced candidate...............but alas the nation has not learned a thing in the past 8 eight years. Instead this nation allowed a good old boys network to pick for us the weakest democratic candidate for a sure loss while setting womens equal rights back 20 years.

Ignore the false claims of the DNC. The Democrats will now claim that a democrat must be elected to prevent a conservative Supreme court justice from being seated tyo overturn Roe v Wade. This is untrue because we hold the majority in the Senate and no President can put a conservative on the Supreme Court without a majority of the Senate agreeing and passing the nominee. Dems have the majority.

VOTE McCAIN 2008 and Hillary 2012

[Beltway Greg]

Andrew, if I were your editor I would dismiss you immediately. This such a stupid article and it is written in such a sophomoric way that it need not be quoted to even make a critic's point. You make Bill O'Reilly, Cal Thomas, and Geraldo look like Walter Cronkite.

Beltway Greg

(Thanks for the compliments. Appreciate you reading with so many thousands of others. See you soon!)

[Carlos Lugo]

I'm really confused as to why everyone's attempting to peg Gore's support as some sort of political powermove gone bad.
Gore's backing of Obama does nothing more than legitimize his candidacy, and was never intended to do anything more.
Obama is ahead in the poll categories that matter-- he has no need for any poli-trickery (neither does the party). Sorry that this sort of thing bores you, but it's how politics works.

Now if the bloggers of the world would please focus their attention on more substantial news...

[Scott]

Al Gore is all about the money. It doesn't matter to him who the next president is when all three of the potential nominees had the same position on global warming. He will back anyone who will try to change policy to make him fatter and richer. I hope history records him as the lying grafter that he is when they can no longer maintain their man made global warming hoax. If he succeeds he can potentially be the largest con man in history.

[hefi]

Haha you people who are against Obama obviously still have the wool pulled over your eyes by the Bush/McCain Administration. It's people like you who keep this country from growing in a positive way.

[bcamarda]

Is that the same YAWN y'all offered when Al Gore did the math on George W. Bush's tax proposals and demonstrated that they would cause enormous deficits? Or when he talked about creating a "Social Security lock box" that would have left our retirements in far better shape? Or when he warned about global warming several years ago, before the evidence became even more incontrovertible? Or when he focused his vice presidency on improving the performance of government (and actually succeeded to a surprising extent -- in contrast to Bush, who destroyed FEMA and everything else he touched?) Or when he made an exceptionally cogent case (in The Assault on Reason) about what happens to a democracy when it no longer values intelligent, reasoned discourse? Yawn, yawn, yawn, all of it, huh?

IMHO, the yawn's on you guys. The press never liked Gore. Too substantive. Too boring. Too grown-up. His very career stands as a reproach to the way you all have chosen to run your own.

[Scott]

Al Gore is all about the money. It doesn't matter to him who the next president is when all three of the potential nominees had the same position on global warming. He will back anyone who will try to change policy to make him fatter and richer. I hope history records him as the lying grafter that he is when they can no longer maintain their man made global warming hoax. If he succeeds he can potentially be the largest con man in history.

[John Roman]

a total living anus? vp during this generations most signifigant expansion in the american economy, recipient of the nobel prize, activist, veteran, father, husband....if this is anus Dick, then Bush must be excrement.

[steve]

This blog article is ridiculous...his endorsement is too late? How can you endorse one candidate in the primary? As a democrat he was right to hold off on his endorsement rather than alienate half the party. That should be no surprise to a seasoned reporter.
Regarding those who think Al Gore is an "idiot" or "anus", I suppose you think GW is a genius? Al's doing the right thing, which is more than I can say about some of these bloggers and reporters. Most of the idiot responses here are by people who just like to bash Gore because of the "internet invention" comment years ago and they "chimp" the story on...think for yourself based on facts.

This coming from a former Republican who is sick of the last 8 years. Al was right on! This blog an it's author get the big YAWN.

[Richard Gordon]

What an idiotic statement. Must be a Republican or Global Warming Denier. Trust me there are many people who care about Al Gore's endorsement of Obama. Me being one of them. Now you may not care about Gore's opinions, and that, indeed is your right. But let me say this buddy, I couldn't care less about your opinions.

[zig-zag]

The big yawn should be about the catty, drive-by writing style on this blog. I'm guessing it's supposed to pass for hip, insightful commentary from those in the know; unfortunastely for us readers it comes accross as churlishly adololescent, with little in the way of substance and waaaay too much attitude.

[Zebulon]

It is a yawn, because Al Gore's endorsement would be very meaningful if it came early in the primary season, just like his endorsement of Howard Dean put him over the top.

By the way, who did Jimmy Carter and GHWB endorse?

[Carldon]

Can you say snarky? I thought you could.

[Maria Leiter]

Any longer and more people will have realized that Al Gore is a fortune seeking opportunist who is almost single handedly responsible for starving the worlds poorest populations, while almost securing for himself a pot of billions in carbon credit investments. Run with alarmists and you move the world in dangerous ways. I have to say that the prospect of Obama having him in a cabinet position is the one thing that makes me hesitant about voting for him.

[AB]

Hi guys those are so soar about Gore,

why is it so important to be politically correct and rush to endorse Obama ? I suppose these two great individuals understand and respect each other very well, and Al Gore doesn't have any pressing need to rush to endorse Obama , as Obama really doesn't really need to put on his American flag lapel pin (but he had to do it anyway to get the votes of those Joe Sixpacks, Jack WWFs and Bill NASCARS to become president). And Obama is doing very well without it.
Al Gore did the right thing to not show himself of as a opportunistic and traitor to the Clinton camp, that would have displayed disrespect to Clinton (Hillary) and himself.

Try to understand these great people if you can, if you dont, then try to comprehend that you dont understand the finer aspects of relationships. In case you even cant comprehend your limitation, then atleast refrain from bad mouthing these people because it is only showing off your shortage of intelligence.

[Keith]

Al Gore decent? Are you kidding me? The man is a vile slug who, dissatisfied with a legal election process, attempted to subvert that process by using the courts.

As for his being "Clark Kent" has anyone taken a real look at Mr. Kent? Mr. Kent is Superman's disguise. It's how Superman is able to fit into our world unnoticed. And exactly how does Superman do this? By projecting how he views humanity back out to the rest of the world. Weak, timid and scared. If that's who you want as a leader I'm scared.

Gore is a political wasteland. His environmental stance has been proven to be false with twisted data and out-right lies.

Obama and Gore; a recipe for disaster.

[Rob]

I much prefer that Al Gore waited until now to endorse Barack. Anyone with a mind and a knowledge of past history knew he would not endorse Clinton but he at least respected the Clintons enough not to tick them or their many supporters off.

[LookWithin]

In response to "A Reagan Conservative" who said "I wonder how he plans to get all those Chinese and Indians to stop buying gas so that it is affordable again?"

Here is a small fact that should make you think a little differently.

Gasoline Consumption by Country in Thousands of Metric Tons (Source: California Energy Commission. http://www.energy.ca.gov/gasoline/statistics/gasoline_consumption_country.php)

United States: 383,348
China: 46,790
India: 9,251

...And you say China and India should stop buying gas? LOL

[Gaias Child]

Well I haven't seen it yet. It didn't show up on C-Span yet. I haven't found it on Web yet. I'm sure it's out here but as far as media coverage, who's heard it? Probably a big crowd in Michigan. So as far as reaction goes, I'd say there's nothing wrong with Gore's timing but the coverage is very limited. I SAW John Edwards with Obama on C-Span and other media three or four times. So I want to hear and see Gore. It was classy of Gore to stay out this long since there's a little bit of rust on the Gore Clinton relaitonships, maybe not exactly same as Solis Doyle but having a similarly sour complexity. So Gore's staying out was a kindness to the process. Now give me a day or two to see and hear what went on in Michigan and I'll be glad to react.