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Gore: "I'm Not Applying For The Job Of Broker."
If Democrats were hoping for Al Gore to step in and help bring the Democratic race to an end, Gore himself doesn't look like he's in any hurry.
In an interview with CBS, Gore said he is trying to stay out of the campaign, despite entreaties by both candidates. "Well, I'm not applying for the job of broker," he said, likening such a role to a "modern Boss Tweed."
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Well duh.
I never imagined for a second he'd touch this. He or Edwards either one, but especially Gore.
March 31, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not disappointed that he's not making an endorsement. It would surely be awkward for him, given the animosity between him and the Clintons, and would probably just get Billary's back up. I can also understand that his focus is on his anti-global warming campaign and his involvement in the primary could only divert attention away from that.
What I do wish he would do is condemn primary campaign tactics that only serve to help John McCain win the general election. That would be the appropriate and statesmanlike thing to do. And it would be consistent with his global warming focus because there's no doubt he's a hell of a lot more likely to get his agenda enacted if a Democrat wins the White House and Dems expand their majorities in Congress. Even though McCain will actually do something on global warming, as opposed to Bush, he won't go nearly as far as a Dem president will.
March 31, 2008 9:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
He may not be applying, but he may be recruited.
March 31, 2008 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Aaargh!! Tina Fey got to him! He should have never appeared on 30 Rock!!
March 31, 2008 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
If the Superdelegates continue their swing toward Obama, he won't be needed.
And Happy Birthday, Al.
March 31, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Man if I was Al Gore, I'd go into an undisclosed location right now.
Why in the world would Gore want to get involved in this nasty fight? He's not going to, that's clear. And I wouldn't either, if I were him or Edwards.
Huh uh.
March 31, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Way to make it impossible for yourself to do the right thing. It's not about being a "modern day Boss Tweed," it's about ratifying the will of the voters within the constraints of a rather dysfunctional DNC nominating process and the now plainly bad-faith machinations of the HRC campaign.
March 31, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a therapist. And I can't see a way to "broker" this. Hillary's dug-in position sounds more like someone who is engaged in a lawsuit. She's suing to win! And as long as she's got money, she'll keep going. The only hope would be to starve the campaign of money. But many small donors, who may believe the campaign spin that "it's close" may be seduced into "giving" to a lost cause.
Prayer?
March 31, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Way to make it impossible for yourself to do the right thing.
I actually do think that the right thing is to stay the hell out of it. It's nasty enough and I don't think Gore or Edwards could stop it merely by an endorsement. If she hasn't stopped now, when she's behind, what makes anyone think that Al Gore or John Edwards could make any difference? All it does is create deeper rifts.
March 31, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is it wrong that I love the idea of Hillary Clinton making "entreaties" to Al Gore?
That said, if he's not going to endorse or broker, he ought to make some statement about the tone of the campaign, such as "Democrats shouldn't be calling a war-mongering right-wing crank like John McCain a moderate." He doesn't need to call out Bill Clinton by name
March 31, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's pretty well the CW that the Gores and the Clintons don't get along. But Al was Bill's Veep and there is no way he's going to endorse Obama over Hillary for that reason alone. He won't do it, I don't think - he doesn't want to look like a back stabber and I don't blame him.
I'd stay out of it - he can't end this - he can only hurt himself.
March 31, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
What a strange notion of democracy. Don't we need someone making our political decisions for us? How will we know who should be commander-in-chief if someone doesn't tell us?
March 31, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Clintons don't give rat's ass about Democratic party or Al Gore intervention. Gore can only embarass himself my taking up the mantle of liason. There is no reason to believe staying nuetral will give him leverage to break the ice in the end.
Its the numbers and not the personalities that'll deflate Clintons.
March 31, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
One of the interesting side notes of this election is the descent of Bill Clinton's status within the party. Gore now plays the role customary of the most recent sitting president in the party -- and rightfully so -- as the leading party elder. Once the election is over, I can't see Clinton ever regaining enough status that would even put him alongside Vern Jordan, Mario Cuomo, Pelosi, Reid, or whoever is in charge up on the Hill.
March 31, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gore is not auditioning for the role of broker.
He also has said he wouldn't be on any ticket as VP candidate.
I think he may be ready to walk in from the wings and take center stage if mutually assured destruction ends both the Clinton and Obama campaigns by the time they get to Denver.
If he acts as broker, he can't be the candidate.
March 31, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink