Where were you when you changed your mind about Al Gore? When did he stop being the 2000 winner that wasn't, and start being that rare thing, a Leader? I know for me it was when I started hearing him speak, prophetically and vibrantly in 2003, speaking out against war in Iraq, calling for the repeal of the Patriot Act, & criticizing the president in a way that only Dean was daring to do then.
Since then, Gore has demonstrated more leadership than any collection of 20 senators. He has used his bully pulpit to persuade those who will listen to reason, and to speak clearly and powerfully against those who won't.
Where do we most need the strong leadership of an Al Gore; in the White House, or in the town square?
Gore stood up and let everyone know what's important to him. He has, over and over in many different venues, spoken out for principle. But what if he isn't our next president? I think he could be a good one, a great one with at least one house of the legislature turned blue.
But hat could Al Gore accomplish if he had the freedom to work outside of the government? What if Al Gore put the energy into environmental issues that Carter has into elections reform? What if Al Gore spent the next ten years travelling the country, working to convince Americans that yes, they MUST make changes in the way they live, in order to prevent environmental catastrophe, that Health Care IS A RIGHT, not a privlege of the monied classes, that "Those who would trade Liberty for Security deserve neither.." ?
Now then, which is better for the 50-year vitality of the democratic party and for progressive ideals?
Leadership from above, constrained by all of the checks and balances on power, and all of the debt owed to monied interests that come with high office?
or
Leadership from below - creating a sea change in the views of the American people?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that Gore can do that alone, but it's the work he's been doing these last few years, and I'm not sure we can afford to sacrifice that work for anything. 2008 is of the utmost importance, but can it compare to shifting the entire spectrum of discourse in this country? Shouldn't that be our highest goal?