Al Gore as object lesson

DENVER -- It is not Al Gore's style to wallow in what happened in the 2000 election -- at least in public. After all, winning the Nobel Prize speaks to moving on

But how could he resist referencing tonight his popular-vote-win, electoral-college -loss, especially at a time when Democratic Party unity is not a given?

And so he did, as he appeared at Invesco Field as a warm-up act for Barack Obama.

One paragraph into his speech, he said, "Eight years ago, some said there was not much difference between the nominees of the two major parties and it didn't really matter who became president. ... But here we all are in 2008, and I doubt anyone would argue now that that election didn't matter."

Earlier in the day, one of his former aides, Michael Feldman, embellished the point in comments to our colleague Peter Nicholas.

"When he walks out on stage tonight in front of 75,000-80,000 people, he's a very tangible symbol of what's at stake in a presidential election," Feldman said. "Anyone who looks at Al Gore and what's happened over the last eight years knows what's at stake."

"It was a very close election. And certainly, for a lot of people at that time who said there's no difference between Al Gore and George Bush, the last eight years shows what is at stake. It's an object lesson for Democrats who are contemplating choices at stake in this election.''

When Gore did, in fact, walk onto the stage at Invesco, he was greeted by strong applause -- and foot-stomping. But if attitudes about what was at stake in the 2000 election have changed, one thing hasn't: Gore for all his achievements remains a wooden orator. In general, he failed to rouse the crowd (which shortly after he exited the podium, indulged in the wave).

-- Don Frederick

Former Vice President Al Gore waves after addressing the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Comments

[Arye Michael Bender]

Why do we make the art of oration a requirement for president, or any political office for that matter? A candidate should be known for his/her policies, past performance, and vision.

Have we become a nation so shallow that we miss the important points in life? I hope not.

[hms]

Water seeks its own level. Al Gore accomplished what he was meant to accomplish. He is what he is and his strength is not in his publlc speeches.

[Gary Brandt - Reader]

Don... You're Gore jab is a partisan hack and non professionals have no place in the Times. You just bringing doun the entire press industry.

Personal cracks should be left to the less educated, but I didn't hire you so maybe your are.....

[GWPDA]

So. Al Gore is a wooden orator.

And fat. Don't forget that he's fat too.

Go have a beer with George Bush. Remember, Dick Cheney will make sure everything's all right. And all the other fatuous storylines the mass media promulgated and that brought this poor country to the pass it finds itself now.

Al Gore is wooden. And tells stories. And he doesn't have really nice goodies for the press on the bus.

Bless your little hearts. I hope you find out what you're good at, and go ahead and do it....

[John Peabody]

Gore compared Obama to Abe Lincoln .. what a laugh. Abe was honest, patriatic, humble, a great statesman; Obama is none of these. Obama is so very arrogant. He reminds me of Hitler.

[William DuBay]

One thing the Times has never been good at is printing the words of the real speakers. Instead, it prefers to deliver the pap comments of its pundits. Printing the speeches-- that would be too much like democracy.

[Jesse Chavarria]

Al Gore is a great man. I wish he would have run this year. He would have made an awesome president. We need him more than ever. Let's hope Obama can do the job.

[mgultch]

Al did win a Nobel Peace Prize. But he also lost! Obama did pass 1,000,000 at eh real-time poll at http://www.bop-o-rama.com Obama did bounce in the polls today!

[peter m. warren]

Al Gore was analytical and presented an intereating as well as arresting narrative from the past. Recall this, as he described Lincoln, "now regarded by most historians as our greatest president.

"Before he entered the White House, Abraham Lincoln's experience in elective office consisted of eight years in his state legislature in Springfield, Illinois, and one term in Congress, during which he showed courage and wisdom to oppose the invasion of another country in a war that was popular when it started but later condemned by history.

"The experience that Lincoln's supporters valued most in that race was his powerful ability to inspire hope in the future at a time of impasse.

"He was known chiefly as a clear thinker and a great orator with a passion for justice and a determination to heal the deep divisions of our land.

"He insisted on reaching past partisan and regional divides to exalt our common humanity. "

Al Gore knows history and politics, and he poses a thoughtful question. That is not my definition of wooden, Mr. Frederick.

[Kathryn B Campbell]

Al Gore is brilliant, and if you mistake that brilliance for boring, you are placing yourself squarely in the back of a classroom of college sophomores who are too cool to admit that devastating intelligence and insight can give you goosebumps.

[Frederick Warren]

Mr Gore has won the Nobel and an Academy Award, something no other person has done. He has inspired people around the world to help heal our ailing Earth. Last night he spoke eloquently on behalf of Sen Obama; so what does the LA Times print? A slam on his speaking style! Poor Don Frederickl, the author of that insult. So, Mr Frederick, what gives you a rise?

[JM]

Gee, I am glad you told me that Al Gore was wooden when he gave his speech. i actually thought it was a good speech. Thanks for correcting me.

[rob]

Putting Al out there was a risk for Dems, because no one wants to think about losing campaigns. However, I think it was a risk worth taking. There are millions and millions of people who are angry about what has happened to our country since 2000, (actually since 1980, really) and if they vote at a high rate, Bam can win.

[Godisa Sock]

John Peabody said,
"Gore compared Obama to Abe Lincoln .. what a laugh. Abe was honest, patriatic, humble, a great statesman; Obama is none of these. Obama is so very arrogant. He reminds me of Hitler."

John, go back to posting on You-tube.

[Nova yos Galan]

Boy, are you guys shallow! One of the most intelligent and challenging people on the political-cultural landscape gives a poignant speech and you negate all that with a personal swipe. Where's your integrity? Al Gore may not be the flashiest of speakers, but if you are able to listen to substance (and maybe you're not), then you would never refer to him as wooden. Shame on you and the Times for making such petty and unnecessary swipes.

[Sukh]

The attitude of the press is a perfect example of what is ailing our country. Anyone with intelligence and insight is hounded for not being simplistic and shallow enough for mass consumption. The problems our country faces are unfortunately not simple, shallow or going ot go away if we continue to just blunder on like the last eight years.

[blake harris]

I loved the speech Al Gore gave. It was very poignant and moving. Although granted, Al Gore is no Martin Luther King at speeches, who the hell cares about trivialities such as that. Has the times been reduced to tabloid style reporting?