It is still possible that Al Gore will be the next President of the United States. Do you still want that to happen? Would you, if you thought it could? If Draft Al Gore efforts succeed in CA, NY, NJ, not to mention MA and NH write-in campaign, and Gore does not ask for his name to be removed from those ballots, then that will imply he is open to the draft effort. Having not opted-out, he will have an excellent chance of winning those three states, reversing the course of the race in an instant and giving him reason to answer the display of democracy. Gore has not asked the draft efforts to cease as he did in 2003, when he ruled out a 2004 bid. In response to questions of whether he could be drafted to run or serve, Gore dodged stating it had not happened since Eisenhower. That answer implies that although unlikely, if a successful draft effort were to manifest itself, one that would allow him to serve as President without having to be a candidate too early, then he will answer the call and serve.
But first, my friends, we must answer the call and serve. YOU must answer the call. We the people must take the lead on his behalf. Don't get me wrong there. Yes, Gore is a reluctant candidate. Yet I surmise he will be ready to serve when the people call him. So what can I do in CA?
This diary focuses on the California Draft Gore efforts, and follows women4goresexcellent diary.
Al Gore supporters, please note that the national draft Gore effort relies on success in California, so regardless of where you live, this diary is an action diary for you.
The mission: We need 500 valid signatures from registed Democrats in each of California's 53 districts by December 4.
The status: First, let me disclaim that I am just a volunteer and not one of the leaders of the CA effort. Therefore, while I do not know the exact current status of the mission, I have heard from my local organizer that the Bay Area and northern CA are doing very well, San Diego is doing very well, rural areas are being handled primarily by professional petitioners (and for that financial contributions are needed), and there is great need in southern California - Los Angeles, Orange, and Inland Empire for signature gatherers. People answering the urgent call to serve. This is make it or break it time in the Draft Gore efforts. Success is by no means guaranteed. If you support Al Gore for President, and believe a draft effort can be successful in getting Gore in the race, then if you can help, you must help. It will take every like-minded person who reads this diary to volunteer in some way. We need to come together, and we need more people.
The CA effort needs two things:
- Financial contributions from people in CA and from all over the US at the California Draft Gore Act Blue Page. The funds are needed for professional petition circulators to gather the required signatures in California's many rural areas. California Draft Gore Act Blue Page
Contributions can also be mailed to California Draft Gore, P.O. Box 178799 , San Diego , CA 92177.
The total is a little over $31,000 now and I would love to see it get to $40,000 or more! Please contribute whatever you can.
- If you are a registered Democrat in the state of CA, especially the needed areas in southern California, you need to step up and help gather signatures. At the very least download the nominating form and the instructions, and get 5-10 signatures from friends and family. I throw down the gauntlet and challenge you to gather signatures in a public place for a few hours (e-mail your coordinator for tips or organized outings). I just started doing it and I will tell you a bit more abot it below, but it is fun and invigorating.
Here is who to contact, by area:
Congressional Districts 1-5 (including Sacramento)-jjohnson_capr@yahoo.com
Congressional Districts 6-8 (San Francisco) - chris.vallone@sf4gore.com
Congressional Districts 9-12 (East Bay)- gabriel.baty@novartis.com
Congressional Districts 13-17 (Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz, Monterey) - chinarock@aol.com
Congressional Districts 18-21 (Central Valley) - california4gore@gmail.com
Congressional Districts 22-25 (Central Coast and High Desert) - pcschools@hotmail.com
Congressional Districts 26-39 (Greater Los Angeles area) - LA@california4gore.org
Congressional Districts 40, 42, 44, 46-48 (Orange County)- lorikat@aol.com
Congressional Districts 41-45 (Inland Empire) - robnajera@adelphia.net
Congressional Districts 49-53 (Greater San Diego area, including Imperial) - bendcooper@hotmail.com
Everyone can play a part in this effort. All you have to do is follow this link to (1) download the Guidelines for Nomination Papers, (2) download the Nomination Papers, (3) sign the Nomination Papers and gather as many other signatures as you wish, (4) complete and sign the affidavit and (5) mail the completed Nomination Papers to California Draft Gore, P.O. Box 178799, San Diego, CA 92177.
I have been gathering signatures in Los Angeles. All in all, it is fun to get out there and talk with folks and hear what they have to say and get a chance to talk about Al a bit. A lot of people walk by, some come straight up and want to sign right away, others need a little talking. Some say that he isn't running and I say "well, he has also said that America has not drafted a President since Eisenhower, thereby implying he is open to the possibility. In order to do that, we need to get him on the CA ballot, and he has not asked us to stop our efforts." Others say they like what he's doing now and can not be as effective as President. There are others who support Hillary, Edwards, or Obama. Perhaps the most interesting was last night at the movie theater a group of about four or five guys came down the escalator... It was some father and son perhaps, plus some friends. One guy signed and while we were talking a few minutes I was told the older gentleman was a Texas Republican. He was a fellow in his 60's with grey hair, paunchy stomach with a big belt buckle that indicated he was from Texas. They went a step farther and said he still supported George Bush. I was very civil and said I respected our difference of opinion, that is what America is all about. While I talked with the other guys, who stated unequivocally they would never vote for Hillary, the older Republican George Bush feller was just shaking his head a bit here and there at the conversation. But at the end when we were saying goodbye he came over and said he had been in the school district for 37 years and he admired what we were doing out there. Getting out and standing up for democracy and what we believe in. He shook our hand. It felt pretty good.
So, please consider that a Draft effort can succeed in getting Al to be our nominee and next President of the United States. Then do what you can by contributing financially to the effort and gathering signatures and spreading the word. Join the growing movement to rekindle the true spirit of America.
Also vote for Al for Time Magazine Man of the Year.