The enGoresment reconsidered

If Gore's endorsement could make the difference, will he give it?

Posted by David Roberts at 10:09 AM on 28 Jan 2008

Read more about: politics | elections | presidential race 08 | Al Gore

I have predicted that Al Gore won't endorse a candidate during the primary. I still think that's probably true, and appropriate. But I'm starting to wonder.

What if Obama's momentum -- from SC and his recent endorsements -- gives him just enough juice to reach near-parity with Clinton on Feb. 5, where she's long been thought to have a substantial advantage? What if their campaigns stay in a close dogfight for weeks or months afterward, even leading up to the convention?

In a situation like that, tempers and passions will run high, every advantage will be pressed, and press scrutiny will be intense. Small events could make a big difference.

Enter Al Gore. If he has a chance to make an influential endorsement, possibly even to nudge Obama to victory, does he have the willpower to refrain? I don't see how. It would be such sweet balance to his botched endorsement of Howard Dean in '04. Like Ted Kennedy, Gore would become a huge fish in the comparatively small(er) pond of Obama's powerful backers. He would enter 2009 with the full power of an historic new presidency at his back. Imagine what could be done with that power. Gore as climate envoy? Climate czar? Climate secretary?

In that event, Gore would have achieved a balance between the conflicting demands of his conscience. He would have the freedom to be a focused advocate and change public opinion, alongside the power of government to affect real change. Best of all, he could get there without the inanities and indignities of a political campaign.

If the Dem. primary reaches the point where Gore could become kingmaker, I suspect the temptation will be irresistible.

For story: The enGoresment reconsidered
5 Comments | Post a Comment

Welcome to middle age, Dave

"An historic"? This is not the kind of usage we expect from our edgy left-coast hipster eco-journalists. See http://grammartips.homestead.com/historical.html :

To many Americans, an historical reference probably sounds pretentious and unlikely. But to many of us who are middle-aged or older, that phrase sounds better (and is easier to pronounce) than a historical reference.

Good post, though!

by Smaug at 11:41 AM on 28 Jan 2008

Middle-aged is the new young!

grist.org

by David Roberts at 11:46 AM on 28 Jan 2008

Imagination

It is certainly delightful to see people so enthusiastic over any presidential candidate. And certainly Obama is better than McCain or any Republican (and so is Clinton).

But, realistically, no newly elected President is going to turn over large chunks of power to anybody else without restraints (Bush Cheney being the exception).

The problems the big two have on environmental issues have been noted, and the pressure on them to move to the right will increase not lessen after the election.

But we have a year to dream...

patrick in Beijing

by bookerly at 2:22 PM on 28 Jan 2008

"edginess"

Nice article by Tina Blue, Smaug. I for one, being of a certain age, have no problem with "an historian" but "a history teacher."

As a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, though, you might have been expected to relish a pretty archaism now and again.

Also, it is precisely because DR is a leading exponent of the edgyosphere that he can most easily get away with a playful affectation of antique style.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 4:04 AM on 29 Jan 2008

Again, with feeling

Once again I'm logging in to say, Gore's endorsement of Dean was NOT botched! I was there. I had to answer the phone calls that were ringing off the wall after that endorsement, deal with the people who walked in off the streets to see who this Howard Dean was that Al Gore endorsed. We got a huge bounce in the polls after that endorsement.

It also served to put the other candidates on notice, and in addition, the Club for Growth, who all ran anti-Dean ads in Iowa. (Remember that "Howard Dean supporters are Volvo-driving liberals?)

It was the fallout of the negative advertising that killed Dean, not the endorsement.

That said, I don't think a Gore endorsement would be nearly as valuable as Grist readers imagine. The Kennedy endorsement was pretty much as big as they come, unless someone has a direct line to JFK. It may, however, make just enough difference to matter in California, which is probably going to be very, very close.

So I hope he does endorse.

by KathyF at 7:16 AM on 29 Jan 2008

ADVERTISING POLICY

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