There is a very disheartening item that was posted this morning on CNN's Political Ticker blog:
Source: Gore thinks Clinton unstoppable
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A source involved in Gore's past political runs told CNN that he definitely has the ambition to use the peace prize as a springboard to run for president.
But he will not run, because he won't take on the political machine assembled by Sen. Hillary Clinton, said the source. If the senator from New York had faltered at all, Gore would take a serious look at entering the race, the source said. But Gore has calculated that Clinton is unstoppable, according to the source.
Gore repeatedly denied he has any plans to run again, but this week a group of grass-roots Democrats calling themselves "Draft Gore" took out a full-page ad in The New York Times in a bid to change his mind.
The story doesn't mention the name of this anonymous "source," so we can't lend too much credence to the comment. Also, we don't know at what point Gore presumably spoke with this individual. After all, comments made last week would be much more ominous than an observation last month that Hillary was on a roll.
But assuming this individual is at least reasonably close to Gore and privy to his recent thoughts, the story is disheartening for several reasons:
Gore "has calculated that Clinton is unstoppable." How does he figure? There is a strong (I'd say 66%) chance that Clinton will lose Iowa. Does Gore think she's "unstoppable" even after losing that state? Does he not believe his endorsement can push Obama or Edwards "over the top" against her in the early contests?
And if he "does not want to take on the political machine" assembled by Sen. Clinton, is there a chance he won't endorse Obama or Edwards at all? It is here that we must consider the previously unthought-of possibility that Gore could actually endorse Clinton in exchange for influence over her as-yet unannounced environmental plan. Is it possible? Could he be that cynical (or realistic)?
Again...it's all speculation, but still troubling nonetheless.
Update: Okay, let's not go with "CNN just made it up"...what are we, freepers now?