I voted for Obama in California, the chief reason being the potential power of the movement coalescing around him—a movement to which he will owe his presidency, and that will push him in progressive directions he might not himself have chosen.
As this rising wave propels Barrack to consecutive victories, many have bemoaned the looming threat of party insiders invoking their undemocratic trump card—superdelegates—to thwart popular will. Al Gore is uniquely poised to preempt such a scenario; all it would take is a convincing endorsement.
This call does not stem from desperation for a quick resolution. I’m not of the mind that a drawn out primary ruins the chances of a Democratic electoral victory in November. We will, after all, bear the consequences of our choice for four, probably eight years, possibly longer; a little deliberation is certainly in order, particularly as it empowers constituencies that seldom get a say in the nomination process. Apart from the spate of nastiness preceding South Carolina—and the often overheated rhetoric on this site—I’d also argue the process’ divisiveness has been largely superficial, unlike its Republican counterpart.
No. Gore should endorse Obama because it would represent a powerful symbolic torch passing: a bookend on an era of Democratic politics; a ratification of the emergent majority’s legitimacy; and a merciful deathblow to Hillary’s flagging campaign.
Only Gore can do this. He’s a transitional figure—a consummate insider who divorced himself from a tepid, calculating establishment by unapologetically opposing the war, the fear mongering, and evisceration of constitutional liberties. In placing his reputation on the line, he created cover for others, like Obama, to do the same.
And he can once again.
Gore could frame his decision not to run in terms of clearing the path for new ideas and leaders, simultaneously insulating superdelegates that might vote for Obama but for fear of the Clinton machine’s reprisals, and heightening his own stature as a post-political statesman.
In return, he could require specific policy concessions, or simply insist that Obama give combating AGW and turning back the unitary executive more prominence in the general election campaign. Either way, such a deal would be mutually beneficial.
I’ve read in myriad posts here that Gore’s leverage would have been maximized by endorsing before Super Tuesday. I disagree. His greatest potential influence is right now—by driving a final nail into DLCism/Clintonism’s coffin and cementing his place in what comes after.
So, um, Al...
What are you waiting for?