It was of course inevitable that despite the fact that Al Gore has said he has no intention of running in ‘08, his Oscar win last night continues to fuel speculationthat he will indeed decide to run. Politico reports that “some key strategists” insist that Gore could “announce as late as September or October and still win the nomination.”

“Honestly, this was the inaugural parade we all envisioned,” said Donna Brazile, his former campaign manager. “Gore’s political stock is hot right now. I don’t know if I would cash in now with so many players still on stage. There’s no reason to force him to declare tomorrow. ”

Indeed, Brazile said the former vice president could wait as late as the time states begin requiring delegate slates and statements of candidacy, since he could raise money quickly and much of the campaigns’ budgets are devoted to a long nominating process he would avoid. “This was one of those rare moments, similar to the civil rights movement, when you experience the ground shifting,” she said. “Perhaps it’s not a movement for a presidential run, but a moment for the debate to start for real change on how we live on planet earth.”

Gore’s close friends say that “he believes what he tells the press – that he’s not planning to run for president.” And he reportedly repeated his mantra: “I do not have plans to become a candidate for office again,” backstage at the Oscars last night.

No draft movement is being authorized or encouraged, and there are no internal discussions of a campaign, the friends insist. But they say he has deliberately not closed the door. It just doesn’t feel right to him and he’s only 58.

I think it must be incredibly flattering for Gore to have so many supporters urging him on to run again and it must be hard to ignore. I can’t help but wonder in some ways, however why he would want to? He’s found his mission, he’s got a phenomenal platform with raising awareness on Global Warming and he has the most awesome opportunity of working on this issue around the globe without letting anything else get in his or it’s way. Why change that?

Don’t get me wrong, if Al Gore decided to jump in, now or later in the year, I think it would be phenomenal and I agree he’s got the support and the vehicle to make it happen. Time will tell if he will change his mind, but for now, I personally am taking him at his word.

Filed under: Democrats, Election '08, Environment, In The News, Politics | Get Permalink or trackback |