Opinion: A political dynamic duo reunites

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Clinton/Gore, together again.

It was a reunion -- however brief -- that must have been heartwarming for most Democrats (and a cause of heartburn for most Republicans).

It happened today in Manhattan, at an annual conference on world problems that Bill Clinton sponsors, now that he’s not president anymore (and now that his wife is the family’s working politician).

Clinton led the opening panel, and one by one he introduced its heavy-hitter participants: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, World Bank President Robert Zoellick, Aghan President Hamid Karzai, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Wal-Mart CEO H. Lee Scott Jr.

Last to take the stage was Al Gore, who with Clinton formed the only Democratic team to occupy the presidency and vice presidency for two full terms since 1941 (a pretty amazing stat, when you think about it).

The symbiotic bond they once seemed to exude (remember the bus blitzkrieg through Middle America after their party’s 1992 national convention?) has long since dissipated, frayed by a slew of political and personal recriminations. Still, a hint of a good vibe between them was in evidence....

According to The Times’ Robin Abcarian, who’s at the Clinton Global Initiative confab, they shook hands, hugged briefly and then indulged in a mutual admiration society during parts of the panel discussion (which focused on the need for concerted global action on environmental problems).

Gore, of course, has become the public figure most closely associated with the anti-global warming crusade (which has won him an Oscar and may win him a Nobel Prize). Clinton lavished praise on him for his efforts.

‘I am very proud,’ Clinton told the audience of more than 1,500, ‘that he has continued on this fight.’

Gore expressed his pride in Clinton’s commitment to global problem solving. And he made a point of flogging the former president’s latest bestseller, which aims to promote philanthropy.

‘Anybody here who has not yet bought ‘Giving,’ I want you to go out and buy it,’ Gore said. ‘Congratulations on that. I may be the only one plugging your book up here.’

Clinton responded in his best aw-shucks tone: ‘Well, if we make any profit on it, we’re gonna give ‘em away, so at least it’s not feathering my nest.’

Domestic politics was not on the agenda for the gathering, but we presume it could not have been very far from the minds of either Clinton or Gore.

At this stage of the game, it would seem that only the most unexpected circumstances could propel Gore to seek the office he so narrowly lost in 2000. Meanwhile, he’s giving mixed signals about whether he will officially back a contender in the Democratic primary race -- in a recent magazine interview, he indicated he would; in comments today on CNN, he was more equivocal.

Four years ago, his endorsement proved problematic. In late 2003, he jumped on what seemed the inexorable Howard Dean bandwagon. Shortly thereafter (and, for the most part, coincidentally), Dean’s candidacy began to crumble.

Given the increased stature Gore has accrued through sounding the alarm on global warming, his support probably would carry more weight this time around. The front-runner, Hillary Clinton, doesn’t really need much more help, but an embrace from Gore would burnish her credentials among ardent environmentalists. Conversely, the nod from Gore could give new hope -- and energy -- to one of the rivals trying to derail her juggernaut.

If he does take the leap, the pick probably would have a side effect -- determining whether he receives an invite to his old boss’ next mass get-together.

-- Don Frederick