He spoke forcefully against the war amidst the hysteria and fear mongering dominating the lead up; he recognized the necessity of single-payer healthcare; he endorsed Dean; he called for Rumsfeld and Rice’s heads in 2004; he gave a speech that stands as a modern treatise on constitutional governance; and he single-handedly put the climate crisis on the national agenda.
Al has, unquestionably, been our party’s most relevant leader during the chimp’s seven year reign.
No one is more qualified or deserving of the Democratic nomination, but we can’t give him all the credit. Dean’s leadership, for instance, was pivotal in the 2006 midterm victory, and even then, the work of countless activists made it possible.
Without our backing, Gore’d be powerless to confront the enormous tasks ahead; the forces of obstruction and reaction are too powerful. We need to impress on him that he wouldn’t be alone, and that, should he run, the netroots’ tireless work would extend past his attainment of the presidency to support for his initiatives, for they are our own. Anyone having read "The Assault On Reason" knows such a bidirectional democratic process will tear at his inner "recovering politician"—possibly causing a relapse.
Far more than a single election is at stake. 2008 presents a unique, fleeting opportunity not only to veer sharply from BushCo’s path of folly, and begin undoing its damage, but for realignment, for progress. This website embodies aspirations for a fundamentally equitable and freer country—and world—for ourselves, for our children, for our fellow citizens.
Only a vibrant popular movement—represented both in the halls of power and in civil society—can achieve these ends.
True leadership is not coercive, but persuasive and, above all, responsive – all of which is anathema to the present occupant of the Whitehouse. We are ready for a leader who envisions himself as an instrument of the people. Someone who trusts us, exhorts the noblest facets of our nature, knows how to marshal our support, demands all that we can give, and remembers that, in America, we are sovereign not he.
-- From my Open Letter to Al Gore
Al Gore is that leader, and he knows it.
The netroots has enough clout that if we’re serious about a Gore candidacy—not resigned to the possibility that he won't run—we could arrange some sort of meeting, possibly even here on DK, where we can directly assuage his concerns. That, I think, would be far more effective than ten petition drives.
More than half of this site consistently claims to support Gore for President. Let's make it happen.
UPDATE:
If you have suggestions for how to get him to actually post here, please discuss them below.
UPDATE 2:
Before and if you read too much into the title's religious language, look at my blogroll.
