The longer the Democratic primary battle continues, the more difficult it seems to be to keep the Democrats from doing something stupid. Exhibit A: the possibility that they would end up picking someone no Democrat voted for in 2008. I’m talking about America’s most revered loser Al Gore. There is actually a discussion among some “senior” Democrats about tossing out the preferences of Democrat voters and nominating Al Gore as the Democrat who will lose to John McCain in November. That’s a fabulous idea. If you want all out civil war in the Democratic party, just try to pull this stunt. Even if you think that Al Gore actually won in 2000, there’s nothing new or original about him other than his obsession with saving the planet. He’s Washington establishment through and through and he’s one of those boring white male types we keep electing as President.
It’s over for Al Gore. He would be better off staying where he is and making outrageous sums of money lying to the public about global warming. I know the media is easily distracted by shiny objects and candidates not actually in the race, but there’s nothing to see here. I never overestimate the Democrats’ ability to screw up a sure thing, but I can’t believe they would seriously consider nominating Gore over Obama or Hillary. It takes away the novelty and the advantage either Dem would have in November. It’s not going to happen. Al Gore will not be the Dem nominee in 2008. Get over 2000 and the Clinton years and get on with your lives. Nominate Obama. Or you Dems could just struggle and struggle until August or September. Either way works for me.
I agree…not sure he would even want the gig. I dont think he wants to possibily to run again.
I would love to see him as president. I hoped he would run this year. But now it’s too late. I thought a Gore/Obama ticket would be very hard to beat.
What’s odd is that in 2000 I didn’t like Gore. I thought he was a robot. He was so boring. I traveled with him through Southern Illinois and parts of Kentucky and didn’t really feel much of a connection with him. I voted for him, but more so out of Party loyalty than anything. Had McCain been the nominee in 2000, I think I would have voted for him in the general. Of course in 2000 I was a senior in college and all my roommates were Republicans so I’m sure that influenced me slightly.
However, I just don’t see the continuing Democratic saga as a bad thing for the Party. I would be more worried if the Dem nominee was not motivating the base to vote and not energizing the Party like John McCain has done for the GOP. I haven’t talked to one single Republican excited or motivated that McCain is their nominee. On the other end, Dems are experiencing the largest turnouts in modern history. And so far, the support for either candidate is still very strong for the other. Now if and when the slog of the campaign starts to way on the base then I’ll agree that the Dems are positioning themselves for a classic meltdown. Right now that’s just not the case.
Ben,
I can’t see why he would want the job either. Then again, I’m not sure why anyone would want to be President with all the challenges we have to deal with in this country. It’s not an easy job, that’s for sure. Gore has a great life now. I also don’t see why he would want to give it up AND take a huge pay cut.
Chris,
I agree with you that right now the Hillary/Obama struggle is not hurting the Dems to the point where supporters of one candidate would decide to vote for McCain instead if their candidate isn’t nominated. That’s why it surprises me that there are discussions going on about possibly asking Al Gore to be the nominee instead of the candidates people voted for in 2008. Al Gore wouldn’t excite people about his candidacy this time around either, especially when compared to having the first woman or African-American President.
McCain is McCain. He will never get the conservatives excited about his candidacy, and I’ve yet to drink the kool-aid on how great he is. It will be an uphill battle to energize the base to actively support McCain. I think most of us are willing to vote for him in the general, but getting conservatives to actively sell a candidate who obviously doesn’t have much use for us might be a difficult task. But this isn’t just about McCain.
It’s about the direction of the Republican party, and where the national leadership wants to take it in the future. That’s what has the base all upset. We are worried that conservative values are being dumbed down to win the affection of those independents and moderates who love John McCain. The grassroots and the national party are at odds over a number of issues, and the fact that we are about to nominate someone who disagrees with us on quite a few of those issues is an example of how far apart both sides are.
I’m getting off-track with this reply, so back to the subject. I could see a scenario where Hillary or Obama supporters would vote for McCain, but unless this gets a lot uglier, I don’t see it happening. The dynamic would change if the Dems nominated Gore. Nominating Gore instead of the two candidates voters picked would cause far more chaos in the party than Republicans switching sides to vote for Hillary in the primary. I can’t believe that any of them are seriously considering this possibility. It’s over for Gore.
Lisa, I completely agree on all fronts. I hadn’t heard any speak of Gore returning. It’s just too late for him. And if he did, I agree it would totally damage the Party now.
Hillary and Obama have a couple months to play with here. If tensions get worse then yes I’ll agree with Fox News and the Republicans that it’s hurting the Party. But right now that’s not at all what’s happening. There’s a great possibility of that happening and I’m hoping it will be avoided; but currently Hillary has no shot at the nomination. Her only hope is strong arming the Party at the convention. Which by the way, used to happen all the time, it’s only recently that conventions are entertainment. And recent is 1960s recent. It happened to the Republicans in 1976 and 1980. So going to the convention is not as bad or as rare as the media is making it sound.
Good post Lisa.