Debate Open Thread for Gore-illas (w poll)

There will surely be a live blog for the debates on the site tonight. But I figured that us Gore-illas who are in the mist tonight might have a place to expound on OUR candidate while the others are arguing. What an opportunity to get some organizing done!

Tonight, we should expect to see Obama and Edwards go after Hillary because they need to eat at her support. And she'll try to appear above the fray by avoiding tit-for-tats with them. What a bunch this is. Hillary is deader than she has ever been for me having authorized war with Iran today. The other two need a helluva lot more experience.

My candidate is Al Gore. And while the three stooges smack each other around on the TV in the background, I'll be hanging out on this diary talking about and organizing for the only candidate who could rescue America from the brink: Al Gore.

- more and GoreWatch below the fold -

As the keeper of GoreWatch, I'd like to make a brief note about Al Gore and the Democratic debates. The first Democratic debate after the Nobel Peace Prize announcement is on Oct. 21st on "This Week with George Stephanopolous". It would be ideal for Gore to get into the race before that debate. He would just need to come in full of charge and presidentialiciousness.

The next debate is Nov. 2 on CNN. Al had better be in the race by then.

Here is the latest schedule for your organizing self...

September 24 – Scheduled event (New York, NY)

At the United Nations

http://www.nytimes.com/...

September 29 – Scheduled event (Vancouver, BC)

Speaking arrangement at the Westin Bayshore.

http://algorevancouver.com/...

September 29 – Scheduled event (Victoria, BC)

Speaking arrangement at the Victoria Conference Centre.

"The tour did not include Victoria initially, though Gore is scheduled to appear in Vancouver Sept. 29. He will now do the Victoria stop earlier in the day before heading across the water for his evening engagement.
Jacobson managed to land Gore after he hit the Internet and tracked down Gore's agent to feel him out about a possible Victoria visit."

http://www.canada.com/...

September - Declined event (Colombia)
"Officials in Bogota said Gore also called off a planned September visit to Colombia, Washington's closest ally in Latin America."

http://findarticles.com/...

September - Cancelled event (Taiwan)
"Former US vice president Al Gore will not be able to make it to Taiwan this September to address the issue of global warming, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Tien Chiu-chin (田秋堇) said yesterday. Tien, who invited Gore to visit Taiwan to promote awareness on global warming, told reporters yesterday that she received an e-mail from the Harry Walker Agency, which has the exclusive right to arrange Gore's speeches, saying that Gore had canceled all his scheduled events in the next six months. The visit to Taiwan had been postponed to next year, she added. Tien said the reason for the cancelation was that Gore was considering a presidential bid." Take this with a big fat grain of salt. Gore's schedule was obviously not cleared for six months.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/...

October 1 – Scheduled event (Austin, TX)
Speaking arrangement at the Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center at the University of Texas.

http://www.statesman.com/...

October 2 – Scheduled event (Denver, CO)
Speaking arrangement at Wells Fargo Theater.

http://www.vividseats.com/...

October 3 – Scheduled event (Rio Rancho, NM)
Speaking arrangement at Santa Ana Star Center.

http://www.gettix.net/...

October 6 – Declined event (India)
“The chieftains have invited Gore to their remote village for the award ceremony on Oct 6 where they expect 300,000 local people to attend.  The award will consist of some traditional gifts and a "small amount of money."
A spokeswoman for Gore said he was "very humbled" to hear of the award but did not know whether he would be able to attend the ceremony.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/...

October 8 – Scheduled event (Cupertino, CA)
Celebrity Forum Speaker Series. Flint Center.

http://www.celebrityforum.net/...

October 9 – Scheduled event (Cupertino, CA)
Celebrity Forum Speaker Series. Flint Center.

http://www.celebrityforum.net/...

October 11 – Scheduled event (Cupertino, CA)
Celebrity Forum Speaker Series. Flint Center.

http://www.celebrityforum.net/...

October 11 – Scheduled event (San Francisco, CA)

Sen. Barbara Boxer Fundraiser; Westin St. Francis Hotel, Grand Ballroom San Francisco, 4 to 6 PM

http://www.dailykos.com/...

October 12 – Nobel Peace Prize Awarded
No scheduled events.

October 17 – Scheduled event (Chicago, IL)

Economic Club of Chicago in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency.

http://www.suntimes.com/...

Rally also scheduled.

October 21 – ABC Debate
Democratic candidates debate on “This Week with George Stephanolopoulos”

No scheduled events.

October 23– Filing Deadline for Michigan Primary

November 1– Filing Deadline for Georgia Primary

November 1– Filing Deadline for South Carolina Primary

November 2 – CNN Debate
Democratic candidates debate on CNN. Cosponsored by Nevada Democratic Party.

No scheduled events.

November 2 – Filing Deadline for New Hampshire Primary

Moved up to 2 weeks from November 16.

November 5 – Filing Deadline for Illinois Primary

November 20 – Scheduled event (Turks and Caicos)

"Former US Vice President Al Gore will be the keynote speaker of the first ever Environmental Conference hosted by the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, in collaboration with the Ocean Conservancy and the National Coral Reef Institute, to examine the mutual interdependency between local actions and global initiatives."

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/...

November 20 – Filing Deadline for Missouri Primary

November – Unscheduled event (Israel)

“While on the subject of global warming, former US vice president Al Gore, who is now making a career promoting global warming awareness and ecological threats in general, is scheduled to come to Israel in November to boost sales of his book The Inconvenient Truth, which laid the foundations for his documentary film of the same name. The Hebrew version is to be published by Ziblin Youth Communications.”

http://www.jpost.com/...

December 3 – Filing Deadline for Maryland Primary

December 3 – Filing Deadline for New York Primary

December 4 – Filing Deadline for California Primary

December 10 - Filing Deadline for Delaware Primary.
December 13 – Filing Deadline for Tennessee Primary

December 14 – Filing Deadline for Virginia Primary

December 17 - Filing Deadline for Arizona Primary

December 20 – Filing Deadline for Connecticut Primary

December 21 – Filing Deadline for Massachusetts Primary

December 31– Filing Deadline for Florida Primary

January 2 – Filing Deadline for Texas Primary

January 7 – Filing Deadline for New Jersey Primary

January 22 – Scheduled event (Gothenburg, Sweden)

On January 22, 2008, Gore will go to Gothenburg to receive the award at the city's public Save the Climate Event. "This will be an unforgettable evening with prominent artists - and with a speech by the most important opinion maker today on Planet Earth," Edman said.

http://www.ens-newswire.com/...

January 29 - Filing Deadline for Kentucky Primary

January – ABC Debate
Democratic primary debate yet to be scheduled for “This Week with George Stephanopoulos”.

Remember that the filing deadlines have links to that state's online documentation. If you're trying to get a Draft Gore movement going in your state, those links are what you need to get started.

And here's a bonus 'action item' (as they call it in my office) if you're in the mood for doing something to Draft Gore tonight:

Give Al a taste of the windfall of money coming his way by parting with a five dollar bill. And check out this great Open Letter to Al Gore.

-fink

•  No question,Edwards won the debate because

  he is the best candidate.

  by timweisman on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 05:52:33 PM PDT

•  A key thing to listen for

  Do these candidates understand the historical context of the challenges we face as a nation? There is never any indication in their rhetoric that they think beyond four-year increments.

  -fink

  by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 05:56:39 PM PDT

  •  They seem to be in denial of everything

    Business as usual will get us all killed.

    by The Scoutmaster on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:02:32 PM PDT

  •  You're absolutely correct

    None of them seem to be talking about the real damage being done by this administration and the current crop of Republicans (and, sadly, many Democrats).  The themes hit upon in Gore's book are things that should be major issues -- and they're not.

    That's scary.

    Mel

    by ClickerMel on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:06:04 PM PDT

•  Edwards first to attack Hillary... on Iraq.

  But Al? No one is going after him tonight. He'd be bulletproof on the Iraq argument.

  -fink

  by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:02:12 PM PDT

•  I sent in my $5

  And encouraged my friends to do the same.

  :-)

  Mel

  by ClickerMel on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:03:59 PM PDT

  •  Always tip a give. nt

    -fink

    by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:07:36 PM PDT

    •  Good one!

      by Bugsby on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:24:24 PM PDT

•  I Find It Pretty Hard To Watch These Debates

  w/ as many Senators we have on the stage I am sick and tired of hearing what they will do as president. Well you are in the Senate now and I don't see you doing much!

  by webranding on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:06:17 PM PDT

  •  Well said.

    by Bugsby on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:29:49 PM PDT

•  No wonder the only candidate Gore has mentioned

  approvingly so far is Chris Dodd (and Kos voted for Dodd in his latest dkos poll). I wouldn't be surprised to see Gore offer Dodd a potfolio in his Cabinet.

  by Barcelona on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:07:39 PM PDT

  •  The Personal Bond

    ... between Al Gore and Chris Dodd (one never mentioned on Daily Kos) is also this: both had fathers who were US Senators and served together.  Dodd's father served from 1959-71 in the Senate; Senator Al Gore, Sr. from 1953-1971.

    Personal relationships do count for a lot in Washington, DC.

    by JekyllnHyde on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:17:53 PM PDT

•  This May Not Be Popular To Say In This Thread

  But I think Gore can do more good out of office. The Assault on Reason was a stunning book. Something he could not have written if he was in office. I have even gotten some of my Republican friends to read it. Cause although they might have different views then myself, they agree with the primary thesis.

  And An Inconvenient Truth. Wow. Again something he could not have done if in office. I LOVE Gore. I think he is brilliant. I just think he can do more good out of office.

  by webranding on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:12:30 PM PDT

  •  It's about the pulpit

    It's about getting to set the agenda from the top. He knows he can do more from the White House than from outside the White House. (Kyoto for starters) Despite his being a "private citizen" he has brought global warming/climate change to the forefront, people are actually talking about it, Inhofe's "hoax" is now seen as a joke...just IMAGINE what Gore could do as president.  I want him in the White House...where he belongs.

    by Panda on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:45:58 PM PDT

    •  This was very obvious this week

      Gore spoke to the leaders at the UN, but he had no power. He could not knock heads together. Bush as President has all the power, and right now he's obstructing the entire process. Think of what Gore would do as Preseident and what he could get accomplished.

      by Barcelona on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:02:44 PM PDT

      •  International Respect.

        One of the main reasons I support Al Gore for President is that he has unparalleled international respect. He has been a leader on an international level.

        I can trust Al Gore to make the most of diplomacy... successfully. I can't say that for those debating right now.

        -fink

        by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:06:32 PM PDT

        •  That's IT!

          I can trust Al Gore

          Yup, me too.

          by Panda on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:10:55 PM PDT

        •  I'd like to point out that it's been 95-minutes..

          into this [Gore-less] Democratic debate and the only candidate so far to even mention global warming was Mike Gravel.

          Hmmm, are you watching this debate, Mr. Gore?

          by markthshark on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:31:01 PM PDT

          •  In his own words today...

            None has yet presented a truly comprehensive plan.

            Indeed.

            -fink

            by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:33:42 PM PDT

            •  Indeed, indeed... n/t

              Wake up Al!

              There's only you...

              by markthshark on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:35:05 PM PDT

        •  Great Diary, fink, btw...

          I was hoping someone did one tonight.

          by markthshark on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:33:55 PM PDT

          •  Hard to get em on the rec list these days.

            That's where I like to find Gore diaries. he he

            -fink

            by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:36:22 PM PDT

      •  Well said, Barcelona!

        Think of what Gore would do as President and what he could get accomplished.

        My heart breaks for what we've lost. But we still have a chance to change...with Gore. We Gore-illas (and I love that, btw, hahahaha, who coined that one?) will just keep the pressure on...if/until we get that Shermanesque statement...and even then I'm not so sure I can accept it.

        by Panda on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:09:54 PM PDT

        •  The origin of Gore-illa

          This comment:

          http://www.dailykos.com/...

          -fink

          by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:12:10 PM PDT

          •  Hahaha, thanks, fink

            And 'tis a decent person who gives credit where credit is due...but I already knew that about you. :)

            by Panda on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:23:51 PM PDT

      •  Au contraire. Gore brought the power of *ideas*

        to the UN to share.

        He doesn't want to knock heads. He wants to build a consensus and a shareholder movement.

        Each one of us is a shareholder of this place called Earth.

        [Yeah, I stole that idea watching Gore's speech at the UN]

        Our... constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men's minds. Thurgood Marshall

        by bronte17 on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:46:47 PM PDT

        •  Gore's "Marshall Plan" to create jobs and...

          eco-innovation across the world is brilliant! Save the world by ending poverty.

          What a concept!

          But, guess what, Al, my boy... it took a standing U.S. president to implement the last "Marshall Plan."

          Oh, and since I have your attention, Al; thanks for your slightly different ambiguous answer to Wolf Blitzer earlier today when he asked you about endorsing another candidate.

          Gore said: [emphatically, I might add]

          "No, and I don't even know if I'll endorse a candidate."

          Hope is still alive, Gore-illas!

          by markthshark on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 08:13:07 PM PDT

•  Hillary just laughed at Gravel for nailing her

  on voting to designate the iranian army a terrorist organisation. She giggled and went into a hawkish rant against Iran. Just what the American people need. Another chest-thumper in the White House. NOT!!!!!

  by Barcelona on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:13:04 PM PDT

  •  She Won't Even Address the Question At Hand

    There is something about Iran I have never understood and I rarely hear talked about. On the right they often say why would Iran need nuclear power when they have all this oil. Well, if I was the leader of Iran I'd want nuclear power so I could sell as much oil as possible to generate revenue.

    by webranding on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:17:37 PM PDT

  •  She's like the Joker

    Did you see her on Fox News this weekend?

    Gore is always composed.

    -fink

    by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:26:55 PM PDT

  •  This giggling thing she's doing...yuk

    She may think it will soften her image or something to be girlish this way but it's annoying. I want gravitas, not giggles.

    by Bugsby on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:27:01 PM PDT

    •  She just did it again.

      Is she on a new prescription?

      -fink

      by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:35:45 PM PDT

      •  Now that was mean. But it was funny!

        by Bugsby on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:38:43 PM PDT

      •  By the way, is that a new sig line?

        It's great.

        by Bugsby on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:39:45 PM PDT

        •  I lifted it off someone else.

          It was from a really good comment I read about a month ago.

          -fink

          by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:40:50 PM PDT

          •  Not just a fink but a klepto too!

            Way to go! ;)

            by Bugsby on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:46:30 PM PDT

    •  And again!

      Tim Russert said "lightning round" and it got her giggling again.

      -fink

      by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:22:00 PM PDT

•  I heard Gore

  was on Wolf Blitzer today. Did he really squelch the rumor he intends to endorse one of the candidates - one of the key reasons cynics give for his not running? Be still my heart...

  by novelle on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:18:02 PM PDT

  •  He came close enough for me :-)

    and he declined any comment on the RW meme that Hilalry will win the primary bit lose the election.

    by Barcelona on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:25:16 PM PDT

  •  Yes he did.

    He also said that none of the current candidates had a "comprehensive plan".

    -fink

    by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:25:57 PM PDT

    •  None have a comprehensive plan?

      Whoa, isn't that the very criteria he gave for why he would enter? That if no one else was taking it seriously enough?

      Thank you, fink!

      by Bugsby on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:28:53 PM PDT

      •  Exactly nt

        -fink

        by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:29:23 PM PDT

        •  Ear :0) :0) :0) :0) :0) :0) :0) :0) Ear

          Grinning here ear to ear.

          by Bugsby on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:31:49 PM PDT

    •  Love to see that transcript on that

      Can't find a word about it anywhere online.

      by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:37:05 PM PDT

      •  Situation Room

        It was on Wolf Blitzer this evening. I've been looking for a video link but alas nothing. I watched it; he was coy.

        -fink

        by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:40:02 PM PDT

      •  I found the transcript:

        Link

        I haven't taken the time to read it yet though.

        by 0wn on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:43:51 PM PDT

        •  Here's the part about the endorsement:

          BLITZER: I know you're studying all the candidates and their positions on this and other issues. Four years ago, you endorsed Howard Dean.

          What about the prospect of Al Gore endorsing any of the candidates this time around?

          GORE: I don't know if I'll make an endorsement or not. I just don't know.

          BLITZER: Because the president, you heard him say this week, that he thinks Hillary Clinton is going to get the Democratic nomination, but then lose to the Republican next -- a year from now in November.

          What do you think about that prediction by President Bush?

          GORE: Well, I think it's too early to make predictions. -- at least it's too early for me to make predictions about it.

          BLITZER: But you're not ready to jump on the Hillary Clinton bandwagon yet?

          GORE: I'm not ready to endorse a candidate or to decide whether I will. But I appreciate your interest in it.

          by 0wn on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:46:06 PM PDT

          •  Thank you

            Very illuminating.

            by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:50:02 PM PDT

            •  This is my favorite part

              Who among the candidates, Democrat and Republican, do you think is most committed to where you stand in terms of the need to deal with global warming?

              GORE: Well, let's give them more time. The process still has a long way to go. Several of the candidates on the Democratic side have spoken out forcefully on this issue. None has yet presented a truly comprehensive plan. But I'm optimistic that as the debate continues, they will.

              It's funny how when people quote Gore, there's always a little line at the end that gets left out.

              by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:53:58 PM PDT

              •  He's being gracious and generous

                as usual. And he's giving them every possible chance to step up, but we all know none of them has the depth of knowledge or commitment he believes is necessary.

                by Barcelona on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:57:11 PM PDT

              •  Did you want me to quote the entire interview?

                I figured since everyone was talking about the endorsement comments, I would quote that part of the interview.  I didn't want to take up space by quoting the entire interview in this diary.  So, I didn't leave out a line, I left out that entire part of the interview.

                by 0wn on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:57:20 PM PDT

                •  Well

                  This is just the perfect example of what bugs me about Gore diaries. Here is basically how the dialog went:

                  "I heard that Gore squashed the endorsement rumor today."

                  "Yes, and he also said that none of the other candidates had a comprehensive plan."

                  "Isn't that the reason he stated he'd enter the race -- if he doesn't like the other candidate's plans?"

                  "Totally."

                  "Oh, this is such wonderful news!!"

                  And off goes another Gore hoper, having never seen his actual words, believing that there is suddenly a new reason to be extremely encouraged. But now when we look at what Gore actually said, it's certainly nothing to celebrate, and if anything, it only gives reason to be discouraged because he indicates that he wants to give the candidates a "long time" to develop their plans, and is optimistic that they will.

                  I know it's not really intentional -- I know people aren't actively trying to give a false impression. But the end result is that a false impression is invariably given.

                  by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:07:29 PM PDT

                  •  Zackpunk, Zackpunk, Zackpunk

                    Embrace your inner Gore hopeful!

                    by The Scoutmaster on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:14:41 PM PDT

                    •  Sorry

                      I'm just too rational.

                      by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:16:14 PM PDT

                      •  Time will tell. n/t

                        by The Scoutmaster on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:18:14 PM PDT

                      •  Oh, great sane rational one has descended.

                        How much is Hillary paying you?

                        by NeuvoLiberal on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 08:18:02 PM PDT

                  •  My point is...

                    I did not, as you said, leave out a line.  I left out that entire part of the interview.  I included a link in my first comment to the full interview.  So, I don't see any thing "funny" about not wanting to quote an entire interview when I provided a link for people to read the entire interview for themselves.

                    And while we're on the subject, the reason I quoted only the part about the endorsement was because there have been many people saying that Gore was definitely going to endorse a candidate and this interview shows that he "doesn't know" whether or not he'll endorse a candidate.  I was not (and neither was Gore) implying that by not endorsing a candidate at this point means that he is thinking about running.

                    by 0wn on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:24:32 PM PDT

                    •  The comment wasn't directed at you

                      It was fink's comment:

                      He also said that none of the current candidates had a "comprehensive plan".

                      -fink

                      He left out the next line.

                      by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:35:17 PM PDT

                      •  Oh, lol.

                        Sorry about that.

                        by 0wn on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:36:56 PM PDT

                      •  How much is Hillary paying you?

                        by NeuvoLiberal on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 08:18:20 PM PDT

                  •  Did it ever occur to you that just maybe

                    you have a half-empty attitude?

                    Our... constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men's minds. Thurgood Marshall

                    by bronte17 on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 08:06:24 PM PDT

                    •  Who knows?

                      In order for one to say the glass is half empty, he must see the entire glass. Unfortunately, all that's reported on here is the milk.

                      People here are determined to convince themselves that Gore is running no matter what it takes. If Gore sneezes, it means he's running -- just be sure to close your eyes when he wipes his nose.

                      At what point does optimism become delusion?

                      by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 08:42:27 PM PDT

                      •  Delusion is to presume that our candidate

                        this time will be chosen from those that broke from the gate first. Fretting and foaming, with a frenetic pace to outrun the other.

                        Al Gore has the sweet inner spot though... he's the champion who will come from behind and win it by many lengths.  

                        A bright spot is... at least our diaries are having some effect on you.  You pulled out the glass instead of plastic to serve the milk.   :^)

                        Our... constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men's minds. Thurgood Marshall

                        by bronte17 on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 09:01:02 PM PDT

                        •  I agree with the first part at least

                          It would be foolish to call the election for the front runner this early in the election. I'm not sure why you mention this though, as it doesn't seem relevant.

                          I don't doubt that Gore would be very successful if he entered the race. However, I don't see any compelling evidence that he will. All I see is the kind of hypothetical speculations that are as sound and rational as the case for war in Iraq.

                          We see what we want to see.

                          Let me ask you something -- if you could look into a crystal ball and be shown the definitive truth about whether or not Gore will run, would you want to know?

                          by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 09:16:53 PM PDT

                          •  I'm not impatient

                            When Gore is ready to make his statement... he knows, not I.

                            I have been thrilled that Democrats have had some MSM  coverage recently with our presidential candidates and the debates (John Edwards comes to mind and Chris Dodd), but if you notice, the attention is dwindling.  It's just too much to begin campaigning so far in advance. Polls tell the same story.

                            And you might want to use another analogy other than a reference to a deliberate preemptive invasion killing millions of innocent people... Al Gore has been passionate and very vocal in his opposition to same. As well his defense of our Constitution framework and the degradations brought by this administration.

                            Our... constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men's minds. Thurgood Marshall

                            by bronte17 on Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 09:47:38 AM PDT

                  •  How much is Hillary paying you?

                    by NeuvoLiberal on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 08:17:12 PM PDT

                    •  Truthfully, I don't think

                      too many Kossacks, aside from Peter Daou, are likely to be on the Clinton payroll; she doesn't care enough about the netroots to actually pay peons to carry cyber-signage or anything.  And if she did, I think she'd hire slicker types than most of the later registrants who signed up only to promote her.  She just attracts certain types of people, like any candidate, and there's very much an oil-water thing going on between them and, well, almost everyone else (except maybe a few Biden and/or Richardson supporters who lean that way for establishment-loving or resume-nitpicking reasons).  I'm generally not going to care for her supporters, because I find the processes by which they form their preference anything from foolish to downright soulless.  And it's almost certainly mutual, but what the hell-- I've already decided not to credit their judgment, so having it turned against me doesn't really matter.

                      And that, as I've said, is why this stuff's so contentious: it's less about the candidates than our distaste for each other's reasoning & alliances.  

                      by latts on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 10:48:45 PM PDT

              •  Fine zack. Let's parse it.

                Well, let's give them more time.  The process still has a long way to go.

                To hear some people, either Hilary already has a lock on the nomination and everyone else should just go home.  Or, Al Gore is just too late to do anything about this campaign.

                Did you read it... "still has a long way to go."

                None has yet presented... but...as the debate continues, they will.

                Now, this optimism is refreshing. That last line obviously means something different to you than it does to me.

                Our... constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men's minds. Thurgood Marshall

                by bronte17 on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 08:04:27 PM PDT

          •  And You Didn't Believe

            ... me when I posted my instant reporting of the Gore interview at 5:19pm, huh...huh?  ;)

            by JekyllnHyde on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:23:45 PM PDT

            •  Hehe.

              Of course I believed you.  And actually, I would not have even known about the interview if it wasn't for your "instant reporting".  :)

              by 0wn on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:35:25 PM PDT

            •  Another perfect example

              Here's what you said in that comment:

              Not many of the candidates have offered a "comprehensive plan" to combat Climate Change.

              What Gore actually said:
              

              But I'm optimistic that as the debate continues, they will.

              See my comments above.

              by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:38:05 PM PDT

              •  And who are you to say that his optimism

                doesn't spring forth from his own hardwork and knowledge that a comprehensive plan will emerge from his own candidacy?  

                Our... constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men's minds. Thurgood Marshall

                by bronte17 on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 08:12:45 PM PDT

                •  Nobody

                  That's the point.

                  You can interpret it however you want, but it would be nice if people would tell the whole story and let each individual make up his own mind.

                  by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 08:32:06 PM PDT

                  •  What you aren't grasping is that *we*

                    have already made up our own minds.  We are the Netroots for Gore.  

                    We have examined the issues and the candidates and have come to the conclusion that Al Gore should take the presidency. We share that vision and news with others.

                    Gore has been extremely busy, he has made it clear that he will not, if he enters, run a campaign in a conventional manner.  Yet, you keep wanting to build conventional walls around his thoughts.

                    Our... constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men's minds. Thurgood Marshall

                    by bronte17 on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 09:09:29 PM PDT

                    •  Believe me

                      What you aren't grasping is that we have already made up our own minds.

                      If there's one thing I've grasped, it's that.

                      by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 09:19:57 PM PDT

              •  How much is Hillary paying you?

                by NeuvoLiberal on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 08:18:37 PM PDT

                •  That dog won't hunt

                  I'm a purely independent Democrat, and my analysis and observations are not colored by an allegiance to any one particular candidate.

                  It's unfortunate you cannot make the same claim.

                  by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 08:33:27 PM PDT

                  •  Disruptive, arrogant and anal-rentive troll

                    is what you are.

                    "It's unfortunate you cannot make the same claim."

                    It isn't clear what you meant with this, but this is all that matters: nobody ever paid me a dime to post/say anything involuntarily in my entire lifetime nor will I ever allow anyone to dictate my spoken/written word.

                    You're putting up a good act. Hillary must be paying you.

                    by NeuvoLiberal on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 09:07:45 PM PDT

                    •  What is with you?

                      by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 09:18:25 PM PDT

                      •  Zack,

                        I can't make myself dislike you, but I still do get angry when I see extended threading in these diaries.

                        Here's my suggestion. Why not just post an opinion (constructive suggestions to the diarist would be even better) and leave it at that (as long as you're compelled into responding by a very negative reply), instead of chasing the thread down limitlessly? That's my thought.

                        As you said, we'll know one way or another in about a month.

                        by NeuvoLiberal on Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 12:04:57 PM PDT

                        •  asdf

                          "as long as you're not compelled"

                          by NeuvoLiberal on Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 01:42:45 PM PDT

                  •  You "lean" towards Hillary

                    Yet you are drawn like a moth to a flame each time a Gore diary shows up.  Could it be that you subconsciously want Gore to run too? Thou doth protest too much, methinks. ;)

                    by Panda on Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 11:33:12 AM PDT

      •  The transcript is up at the CNN website.

        Here

        by Sinister Rae on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:44:29 PM PDT

•  Hey, if everybody who comments recommends

  this might get a second chance. Hate to see such a good diary scroll away into oblivion.

  You know what to do.

  by Bugsby on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:34:13 PM PDT

•  Obama has been lackluster.

  Obama hasn't really projected himself tonight. He seems very stifled and stuck on his talking points. "I just want to back up and" talk about what I want to talk about.

  -fink

  by fink on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:44:57 PM PDT

•  Edwards was good on healthcare

  and got the only applause so far from the audience. He at least sounded a little passionate as opposed to calculating and self-serving.

  by Barcelona on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 06:51:01 PM PDT

•  I am listening to the debate

  but sitting at my desk too online. I think Hillary does her laugh thing to make her look like she is above the others and has confidence. But to me it turns me off. Whoever told her this makes her look good is stupid. Every time she cackles its like fingernails on a black board to me.

  I agree with Gravel, wish we could have windmills across the country. I don't see why not. He's right, we the people have to demand it.

  by marlakay on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 07:40:03 PM PDT

•  Well

  he's good enough for Gordon Brown

  by fatdave on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 08:35:32 PM PDT

•  agreed but

  Agree that Gore is the only one with the potential to be a great leader ---- the problem is that he doesn't want the job and won't go against the Clintons.   The Clinton train is unstopabble (short of NY POst pictures of Bill with a 20 year-old girl) so the real question for real democrats is how to counter the influence of big corporate campaign money on Hillary's policy and the answer is to keep Edwards in the race to keep pushing policy to the left --- anyone who cares about that should send Edwards a contribution today.  It is Edwards who has set the bar on all policy this time--- perhaps because he is accused of a lack of gravitas, he has sought to counter it with real progressive policy.  In short, keep him in the race (and his money is runingout) to keep Hillary on a track that we democrats will want to live with.  But Gore will only come in if Hillary is losing

  by mumishka on Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 07:03:44 AM PDT