October 19, 2007
The Office of the Honorable Al Gore
2100 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203
Dear Vice President Gore:
I write to beseech you to run for the office of President of the United States. All of my reasons for requesting your service to your country, and my country, are put forth on the attached "diary" which I drafted a few months back on the DailyKos website. I ask that you please read it. I know that, given the pace of your schedule and your current mission, this is a considerable request.
Mr. Vice President, I – and those who are crying out for your candidacy—can fully understand why you might not wish to undertake this considerable sacrifice. I certainly will respect your decision—whatever it may be. But I do add this: your country is in desperate need of your leadership; the world is in desperate need of your leadership.
In short, it is in desperate need for an inconvenient answer from one man: yourself.
Thank you for your time. My best wishes and thanks for all that you have done in service to this great nation,
The need for an inconvenient answer from one man
by GernBlanzten [Unsubscribe] [Edit Diary]
Sat Jul 07, 2007 at 01:19:57 PM EDT
From time to time, I have thought back to the night of December 13, 2000, when Al Gore conceded the presidential election to George W. Bush. (Well, who here has not, I suspect.) It was an elegant and moving speech--made more so to all of us, of course, by the heartbreaking events that rocked our nation and built to an odd and unsatisfying fever pitch that strange night. Who was to know that this was just the beginning of an epic tumult and struggle?
In particular, however, I have continued to remember these words from Vice President Gore:
Some have asked whether I have any regrets and I do have one regret: that I didn't get the chance to stay and fight for the American people over the next four years, especially for those who need burdens lifted and barriers removed, especially for those who feel their voices have not been heard. I heard you and I will not forget.
I've seen America in this campaign and I like what I see. It's worth fighting for and that's a fight I'll never stop.
And this:
I do believe as my father once said, that no matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to shape the soul and let the glory out.
Should your memory need to be refreshed, you can read the full text of his speech again, which I have attached below.
It is the plethora of recent articles about Al Gore (most recently courtesy of the New York Times and Time magazine), the success of "An Inconvenient Truth" and the way Al Gore has continued to speak out insightfully, prophetically and patriotically over these years--and the overriding question that hangs over his future, and the future of my country--that had me again today remembering his consoling words and promise from 2000. And which led me now to draft this diary.
Let me be clear: without question--given his works and contributions to the world during these past six years, Al Gore's promise to me -- "I heard you, and I will not forget .... I will never stop" -- has been more than fulfilled. I recognize and am grateful for what this man has done to awaken the minds and to stir the hearts and souls of caring Americans and caring citizens of the world to the issue of climate change and the threat to the Earth's survival. I recognize that Al Gore is now more popular than ever--and deservedly so. I recognize that history will record that his prescience and insight has been vindicated. He is a leader and a hero to me at a time when I have not many --a few beloved sports figures aside.
And yet, like so many here who visit this website, and throughout America, I am left wanting more. I am left needing more. I am left hoping and praying that there will be a second act to that which should have been the first act -- his serving as President of this still wonderful country as he most certainly should have served of an even more wonderful country beginning in 2001.
Is this simply selfishness on my part? To borrow the cliche, can I not leave well enough alone? Am I simply being selfish in not recognizing that Al Gore has answered his life's calling and heard his heart's song and found his unique and important road to travel? After all, who could wish more for any human being? Am I simply being selfish by feeling unsatisfied and unthankful for all that he has already done? Am I simply craving revenge for the electoral travesty that was perpetrated on this country during the presidential election of 2000?
I must confess. It could be a mixture of any and all of these things. Maybe I am being selfish.
But I don't think so. Or at least, it is not just that. A second confession: I am mostly satisfied with the current group of Democratic candidates--as people of stature, and of more than satisfactory ability, character and intelligence. Each brings critical strengths and sense of purpose to their campaign to lead. I have no doubt that any one of these candidates would offer the opportunity for vast improvements in the lives of decent Americans, and the prospects for peace and justice throughout the world. I would open my wallet and give of my time to help elect any one of them. I have no doubt that they love, and are as concerned for, my country and this world as am I.
And yet. And yet. I sense, deeply that something is missing...that a voice is missing...that a leader is missing...that a candidate is missing from this field of worthy contenders.
Vice President Gore ended his speech on that cold night of December 13, 2000, nearly six-and-a-half years ago, with these words:
Now the political struggle is over and we turn again to the unending struggle for the common good of all Americans and for those multitudes around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of freedom.
With all due respect, Mr. Vice President--and I apologize if this comes across as condescending or obvious or ungrateful--the battles of the political war, a war of great magnitude and consequence to the people you promised you would not forget, continues to this day. There is a torch that has fallen, and which cries out to be taken up anew and carried into battle. But not just by any person, but by one who knows first-hand the glory of meaningful victory (1992, 1996) and the costs one must sometimes endure in the unending struggle for freedom and liberty and justice. By one who has taken an hour, a day, a month of defeat and transformed it into years of critical self-examination--what he believes--and who has taken the time to speak with tens of thousands of Americans during this time, and to tell them that the cause of our forefathers is still alive today, and that it is every bit as noble and worthy and necessary as it was more than 200 years ago. And that it it should and must endure--for the sake of all that is right. For the sake of a tired and waiting world.
"Not under man but under God and law."
Everything is at stake, Mr. Vice President. Everything. Our country cries out for a leader. My heart cries out for what may be, perhaps, for one man, an inconvenient answer.
I ask that you please take up the call.
------------------------------------------------------
VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE DELIVERS REMARKS
CAMPAIGN 2000: VICE PRESIDENT GORE DELIVERS REMARKS
DECEMBER 13, 2000
SPEAKER: ALBERT GORE JR., VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, DEMOCRATIC PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Good evening.
Just moments ago, I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States, and I promised him that I wouldn't call him back this time.
I offered to meet with him as soon as possible so that we can start to heal the divisions of the campaign and the contest through which we just passed.
Almost a century and a half ago, Senator Stephen Douglas told Abraham Lincoln, who had just defeated him for the presidency, "Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism. I'm with you, Mr. President, and God bless you."
Well, in that same spirit, I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his stewardship of this country.
Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly neither of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended, resolved, as it must be resolved, through the honored institutions of our democracy.
Over the library of one of our great law schools is inscribed the motto, "Not under man but under God and law." That's the ruling principle of American freedom, the source of our democratic liberties. I've tried to make it my guide throughout this contest as it has guided America's deliberations of all the complex issues of the past five weeks.
Now the U.S. Supreme Court has spoken. Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the court's decision, I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College. And tonight, for the sake of our unity of the people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession.
I also accept my responsibility, which I will discharge unconditionally, to honor the new president elect and do everything possible to help him bring Americans together in fulfillment of the great vision that our Declaration of Independence defines and that our Constitution affirms and defends.
Let me say how grateful I am to all those who supported me and supported the cause for which we have fought. Tipper and I feel a deep gratitude to Joe and Hadassah Lieberman who brought passion and high purpose to our partnership and opened new doors, not just for our campaign but for our country.
This has been an extraordinary election. But in one of God's unforeseen paths, this belatedly broken impasse can point us all to a new common ground, for its very closeness can serve to remind us that we are one people with a shared history and a shared destiny.
Indeed, that history gives us many examples of contests as hotly debated, as fiercely fought, with their own challenges to the popular will.
Other disputes have dragged on for weeks before reaching resolution. And each time, both the victor and the vanquished have accepted the result peacefully and in the spirit of reconciliation.
So let it be with us.
I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country.
And I say to our fellow members of the world community, let no one see this contest as a sign of American weakness. The strength of American democracy is shown most clearly through the difficulties it can overcome.
Some have expressed concern that the unusual nature of this election might hamper the next president in the conduct of his office. I do not believe it need be so.
President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be ready to assist him in the conduct of his large responsibilities.
I personally will be at his disposal, and I call on all Americans -- I particularly urge all who stood with us to unite behind our next president. This is America. Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close ranks and come together when the contest is done.
And while there will be time enough to debate our continuing differences, now is the time to recognize that that which unites us is greater than that which divides us.
While we yet hold and do not yield our opposing beliefs, there is a higher duty than the one we owe to political party. This is America and we put country before party. We will stand together behind our new president.
As for what I'll do next, I don't know the answer to that one yet. Like many of you, I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with family and old friends. I know I'll spend time in Tennessee and mend some fences, literally and figuratively.
Some have asked whether I have any regrets and I do have one regret: that I didn't get the chance to stay and fight for the American people over the next four years, especially for those who need burdens lifted and barriers removed, especially for those who feel their voices have not been heard. I heard you and I will not forget.
I've seen America in this campaign and I like what I see. It's worth fighting for and that's a fight I'll never stop.
As for the battle that ends tonight, I do believe as my father once said, that no matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to shape the soul and let the glory out.
So for me this campaign ends as it began: with the love of Tipper and our family; with faith in God and in the country I have been so proud to serve, from Vietnam to the vice presidency; and with gratitude to our truly tireless campaign staff and volunteers, including all those who worked so hard in Florida for the last 36 days.
Now the political struggle is over and we turn again to the unending struggle for the common good of all Americans and for those multitudes around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of freedom.
In the words of our great hymn, "America, America": "Let us crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea."
And now, my friends, in a phrase I once addressed to others, it's time for me to go.
Thank you and good night, and God bless America.
END