I have been a little surprised by the depth of support for Al Gore that has been expressed here. I'm curious as to why he is so popular given everything that has happened since 2000.
I think that I, like many of you, have been appreciative of his public stance on issues of importance of late. And, as a Dean supporter, I was grateful for his endorsement. I think he has been much better as a former candidate than when he was on the stump himself.
Think back for a moment to the Gore of 2000; the Gore that...
- let himself be defined as untruthful.
- shunned Clinton and thus the 8 years of peace and prosperity that should have framed his campaign.
- was ridiculed as wooden, elitist, and unable to relate to average Americans.
- couldn't carry his home state.
- ran even with a light-weight opponent that he should have beaten in a walk.
- whithered in the post-November battle to prove that the election was hijacked.
I love today's Al Gore. I think he is a sincere and committed gentleman. I think he still has a lot to contribute to society, but not as a candidate for president. I think he failed that test. We should all remember the kind of campaign he led in 2000.
I believe that Gore is still building his legacy, but for me, I want to see a more compelling figure in 2008. I want to see a charismatic man of the people. I want a candidate that the people feel they can identify with. Enough with these millionaires and dynasties. We can do better.