Kossacks: I am a huge Al Gore fan, and hope he makes the leap. A Gore/Obama ticket would be our party's strongest ticket in decades. But sadly, I don't think it's going to happen. Here's why.
- Al hasn't really opened the door-
While Gore hasn't ruled himself out, he needs something more. He can't just suddenly jump into the race in mid-October. He needs a period of "I'm thinking about it", much like Obama took from November 2006 until January 2007, a period where he backtracks on previous statements, saying that he is "considering" running, and will let the American people know soon. He hasn't done this yet, and it's simply too late because he must be on the ballot in states like Michigan before the end of this month.
- No "fire in the belly" for a campaign for president.
I have see no evidence that Gore is ready for a grueling, cut throat campaign. While he does have an intense commitment to stopping global environmental destruction, he believes he can best achieve his goals through a broad media campaign and by electing a Democratic president (though not himself).
I just don't think Gore wants to be president BADLY ENOUGH to endure the struggles, the attacks and the media bias that he faced in 2000.
- More comedy tv appearances=No run
In 2002, Gore hosted Saturday Night Live, and performed a series of hillarious skits, including one where he portrayed Trent Lott. Just days later, he announced that he was not running. It seems that humor and politics don't mix (at least not intentional humor!).
Likewise, this fall, Gore will appear in the comedy 30 Rock and as himself in the new Futurama direct-to-DVD movie. Now I know his daughter was a Futurama writer, but these appearances certainly do not make a bid for president more likely. It's hard to imagine Gore being treated seriously with these programs in the works.
- The Nobel Prize won't propel Gore-
A lot of people (myself included) hope that Gore winning the Nobel Prize will catapult him into the presidential race. Unfortunately, that likely won't happen. First, there is no guarantee that he will win it. Second, even if he does, an announcement for president only days or weeks later makes it look like the Nobel Prize achievement is meant merely as a stepping stone to a presidential campaign. It would make him look crass and power-hungry (I'm not saying that is true, but that is how the media--which we all know is largely anti-Gore--will portray it). Al Gore doesn't want a negative spin on his Nobel achievement. Instead, he wants to use it to further raise awareness of the Global Warming crisis.
There you go, four reasons why Al Gore will NOT run for president. I hope I'm wrong! Comment away.