Well, it’s official. Tonight Gore and Guggenheim won the Oscar for Best Documentary with ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. It’s been floating around the ether for a while now……… if Gore won the Oscar he’d be crazy not to capitalize on the publicity and run for President in ‘08. He says the global warming crisis is not a political issue, it’s a moral issue. Anyone want to start laying bets on what he’ll decide to do?
Gore’s Golden Opportunity
February 26, 2007 · 26 Comments
Categories: Gore · U.S. Politics · environment · film · global warming · news · politics
26 responses so far ↓
Darmok // February 26, 2007 at 8:19 am |
I think he presented himself very well, and took care not to make tonight political at all.
Jose // February 26, 2007 at 8:53 am |
Do you think Gore will be a good President?
Darmok // February 26, 2007 at 9:36 am |
That’s a good question, José. I’d have to do more research before forming a stronger opinion, but I believe he would be. In particular, his pro-science views appeal to me, especially in contrast to our current president. I did vote for Mr. Gore in the 2000 election, as did my state.
Verdurous // February 26, 2007 at 12:00 pm |
Darmok, you might like to know that Al Gore is soon to release a book entitled “The Assalt on Reason” which will argue for a more science and evidence-based approach to policy making and governing. Might appeal to you.
Teresa // February 26, 2007 at 12:43 pm |
I think that he would be better to simply keep getting the right ideas out there. If he ran, I would vote for him, because he’d be the best candidate I’ve seen on the Dems side.
But I’d rather have a non-political Gore advocating for honest science and getting listened to because he’s no longer “just another politician”.
1loneranger // February 26, 2007 at 6:52 pm |
Hi all-
Thanks for commenting and welcome to the newcomers Verdurous and Darmok.
Jose-
For the most part, I think Gore would be a good alternative to the lunacy that holds the top seat now.
Simply because he’s compassionate and rational. He is more inclined towards diplomacy than the sword and I strongly support his stand on environmental issues. He’s been an environmentalist longer than a politician and I can only assume that he would attempt to enact a logical policy directed towards changing our present reckless environmental course.
He seems to be a lot more confident in his role as a pseudo-enviro-priest than he did as a politician.
But, maybe he could take his new found confidence back into the political arena and do all right.
He wouldn’t be my first choice but I think it would be a step in the right direction.
And Darmok-
You thought Gore left politics out of it last night? I thought the opposite. Every other joke was about whether he’d run or not. I think it’s kind of lame using the cheese that is the “Oscars” to further your political ambitions – if in fact that’s what he was doing. But maybe he wasn’t, maybe he was just joking around and doesn’t plan on running. We’ll just have to wait and see. Again, anyone want to start placing bets?
He might have the ability to sneak in to the running at the last minute, but I doubt it. You have to start campaigning so early on now to even have a chance. Back in the 90’s it costs a candidate a fraction of what it costs today to run. Obama and Billary have left the gates really early as a result and who knows what their staying power will be like. I assume Billary will come out on top because she’s got the experience through osmosis thing going on with Bill. Obama and Billary are probably going to really have it out at some point. Their bickering might make them both look like a couple of pud-knockers and open the door to another candidate.
Who knows.
MerkinOnParis // February 26, 2007 at 7:28 pm |
Can Gore really have changed his spots?.
Doesn’t happen in my jungle very often.
Jose // February 26, 2007 at 8:26 pm |
Perhaps, 1loneranger, he’s waiting for mistakes by his potential rivals in the run-up, such as Clinton and Obama.
One other thing is the news appeared on a likely “rebellion” by American Senior Commanders if they are ordered to attack Iran.
1loneranger // February 26, 2007 at 8:53 pm |
Merkin-
Thanks for stopping by again. And I appreciate your kind words over on the other thread regarding ‘clarity issues’. I think that dude just took what I had to say completely the wrong way at first glance and doesn’t posses the humility or desire to have a second glance at what I said. Oh well.
Re: Gore’s shifty spots…. he’s a bit of a sly one. Before he had the 2000 election ripped from his sweaty hands he had really toned down his environmental stance. I remember reading his ‘92 book ‘Earth in the Balance’ back before the 2000 election and it gave me hope that he was going to come out and stand up for environmental issues in the campaign. I think in retrospect he wisely choose
notto ramp down the enviro talk at the time because it would probably have made him look like a ‘tree hugging, granola eating-back to the lander’ in the eyes of American Conservatives. So, who knows where his true angle lies.Jose-
I think you might be dead on.
What news of “rebellion” are you describing? I will go up to the “hill” and have a look see for myself. I think I have an idea what you might be suggesting.
And thank you too for offering your sentiments over on the other thread.
By the way, are you feeling better? Hope so!
Kita Kazoo // February 27, 2007 at 3:34 am |
Two strikes against him -
One is he doesn’t walk his talk – http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/drudge/
Two is he is part of a party & I don’t trust anyone who would be supported by a party to be interested in the needs of the people over the needs of the corporations.
We need a real person, not some rich guy.
Darmok // February 27, 2007 at 5:24 am |
1Loneranger—I’m sorry; I wasn’t clear. Of course, Mr. Gore is a politician, and I found the jokes very amusing. But he did not announce a presidential candidacy. He did not denounce Bush or the current administration. He took care to state that he has no plans for running at this time. Jokes aside, he focused on the environment and global warming, and I thought it was appropriate.
Jose // February 27, 2007 at 10:10 am |
I read it here,
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/022607J.shtml
Today’s the first day I can think clearly, thanks for your interest, 1loneranger.
1loneranger // February 27, 2007 at 1:28 pm |
Kita-
I hear ya. He’s got to walk the walk. I’d love to see a candidate with no ties to corps and destructive lobbies. But, that’s gonna be a stretch.
Jose-
Glad to hear that, and thanks for the link.
Darmok-
I see what you’re saying and I agree with you. But, seeing politicians and even hints of political issues at the slimy Oscars still gives me the willies, even if it is for a great cause. Just me.
Teresa // February 27, 2007 at 3:37 pm |
1loneranger,
Well, ploticians go where the people are anytime they are invited, and though I have never watched a single awards show (even when Jon Stewart hosted the Oscars…I was going to , but forgot), I have to admit, everyone else in the country seems to.
I can’t imagine a way that any politician with total class would make it to the presidency in this country.
Then again, farmers gotta slog through shin-deep shit once in a while, moms have to clean up vomit, and most people who hold a job feel the need to shower when they get home…I don’t know many jobs that don’t have their degrading aspects, but they are still worth doing and still have to get done.
Boldscot // February 27, 2007 at 4:03 pm |
I can’t imagine a way that any ‘actor’ with total class would make it to The Presidency in this country.
Reagan, with Chimp, did it. Arnie might, one day.
What does that say?.
Teresa // February 27, 2007 at 5:02 pm |
Are you saying they had/have class?
Boldscot // February 27, 2007 at 8:48 pm |
Most certainly not !!
Teresa // February 27, 2007 at 10:20 pm |
Oh, OK then. I was about to get confused.
Thanks for clearing that up.
I am reminded of something Harlan Ellison said about writing for television. It went something along the lines of how writing quality television was like climbing a mountain of manure to pick the perfect rose…by the time you reach the top you have lost your sense of smell.
I imagine politics is much the same.
It seems that entertainers entering politics come pre-prepared for the climb.
Teresa // February 27, 2007 at 10:22 pm |
OK, I just realized that this totals two posts in a row with dookie analogies. I’m cutting myself off of politics commenting for a while.
1loneranger // February 27, 2007 at 10:26 pm |
No Teresa,
I love your dookie analogies. Don’t go.
99.9% of T.V. is pure and utter crapola, so are politicians. I couldn’t agree more. But then there are shows like the BBC’s ‘Planet Earth’ and politicians like ………. um, ahh, errr, well,…………………… can’t think of one right now. But when I do, I’ll get back to you. Don’t hold your breath.
Cheers
Teresa // February 28, 2007 at 4:02 am |
1loneranger,
Well, since you said it’s OK…
I know he’s dead, but what about Paul Wellstone?
1loneranger // February 28, 2007 at 4:52 am |
Teresa-
There are exceptions to every rule. From the little I know about him, he was a compassionate human politician, who seemed to have the interests of everyday citizens at the forefront of his initiatives. He was also a fellow Northern Virginian, so he had that going for him in my book.
Tragedy he was lost when he was. He looked like he had his best work ahead of him.
Moral of the story……politicians should stay out of planes in the months leading up to an election.
Teresa // February 28, 2007 at 6:27 am |
I met him once at a bus stop in downtown St. Paul. He was just amazing. Biggest little man you ever hope to meet. He made a tremendous impression on me that was never lost nor lessened.
Glad I could come up with one exception for you.
Well, off to the zzzzzzzzz See you tomorrow.
Boldscot // February 28, 2007 at 5:51 pm |
‘Moral of the story……politicians should stay out of planes in the months leading up to an election.’
Wicked, Ranger, wicked – but I agree with you, specially with regard to politicians who look as though they could have made a difference.
In Britain it was conjectured that Hugh Gaitskell was ‘offed’ to make way for future PM Harold Wilson in the sixties. Similarly many people have commented on the fact that Tony Blair got a very lucky break with the death of John Smith at just the right time.
Not so far fetched when you consider the campaign for an inquest into the death of Dr. David Kelly – a campaign led by a Labour politician who states quite bluntly that Kelly was murdered.
For those readers who are not familiar with the case, Dr Kelly was holding the smoking gun which showed that Bush and Blair had lied to justify the war in Iraq.
In the West, we are all too used to hearing how the KGB gets rid of ‘problems’ – and they probably do. Yet, even though there is a history of assassination carried out by our Security Services, we never ‘quite’ believe that they could actually do it to Our Own politicians.
Maybe time to think again.
Jose // March 1, 2007 at 9:40 am |
Will all those people who were vilified because of their opposition to the infamous Iraq war not be vindicated now that both Bush and Blair have admitted their lies? Those who, like Dr. Kelly, even lost their lives because of it?
And is there no punishment for those responsible for the indiscriminate deaths of soldiers, civillians, children… who also lost their lives because of unscrupulous lies?
Parents, next-of-kin, everybody should sue those leaders whose only motivation was the control of oil.
1loneranger // March 1, 2007 at 4:48 pm |
Here, here Jose-
Sue ‘em, impeach ‘em tar and feather ‘em.
The greater public collective mind in Britain, Europe, Canada the States and elsewhere has excepted and signed on to this decision. The decision that the leaders of England and the U.S. are acting without the approval of their constituents. So why then are we letting the atrocities continue in our name? That is the million dollar question.
It is because we have become conditioned to think that we are weak and without power to change what need be changed. We, as a collective, have become complacent in our security and have been made to feel guilty for contradicting the establishment. Until we get over that garbage of a idea, war crimes will continue to be acted out in our name, i.e. Srebrenica.
I’m not saying anything new here. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be said, over and over again.