Political Insider

My dream ticket would be Gore/Obama. But sadly (sigh) I don't think there's a chance Gore will end up running.

With an African American and a woman as the sole surviving candidates for this nomination, replacing both with a white man -- even one as terrific as Al Gore -- would be as damaging to the party as any of the other solutions. The Democratic party would look like when push came to shove, it just plain didn't have the guts to break the streak of 43 sequential white male presidents. Interesting solution, just not in touch with political reality.

How about McGovern 08? or McGovern/ Gore 08,or McGovern/Bradley?

How about an Obama/Gore ticket?

I think an Obama/Clinton ticket is highly unlikely (as is a Clinton/Obama ticket) for several reasons, not the least of which is the way she will have treated him between now and then, and her not wanting to be VP, and Obama not wanting Bill being the surrogate VP.

Normally you would say it would be ridiculous for anyone to run for VP twice under two separate presidents, but it seems to me that he has really transcended the ambition to be president. He has a higher mission, a more important campaign.

But it is arguable that best possible position to be in to implement a program to really respond to the climate crisis would be VP.

This is what he wants to focus on. That's why he didn't run. He doesn't want to have to engage in all the other things the president has to deal with. But as VP, he wouldn't have any other set responsibilities to deal with, and with Obama's blessing could use the office of the VP to fully engage the climate issue.

I have wondered what if any role Gore might have in an Obama administration. Would he head a commission or office to implement climate change response strategy? I don't think he would even want to be like head of EPA for example, because it is too broad; he wants to focus on the overarching issue of climate. Or would he stay outside the government and continue to work as he is now, just with the Obama administration as an enthusiastic partner to the solutions that needs to be pursued?

But the office of the VP might be the perfect place.

I mean, for God's sake, he's uh... qualified! You could easily argue that there's no one alive who is more qualified to be VP!

And it would also instantly bolster Obama's standing in terms of foreign relations, as that is also a very, very strong suit for Gore. I mean, compared to Hillary, Gore actually has been directly involved in diplomacy and international disputes.

I don't think that would appease all of Hillary's supporters, but nothing other than her winning would, even being VP.

But I think few in the Democratic party can argue that Gore "deserves" to be in the White House, and if he were willing to accept the VP position, I think it would really shore up Obama at the top of the ticket and unify the party behind him.

This is probably a far-fetched scenario, but not impossible.

More likely Gore will have a role in helping to bring the party together at the convention as an elder statesman of the party, not the bottom of the ticket, but it is interesting to ponder the possibility that he just might consider being Obama's running mate.

Personally, I can't think of anyone I would rather have on the ticket.

Sen. Obama is forging a new path. He is courageously and necessarily (that fierece urgency of now) trying to implement a more ethical and cooperative way to run for a Presidency or any American office with truth and a concentration on the issues and to point out political differences without the negative way of destroying an opponent for one's political gain. There is no experience for that, as it is a new path and trend. He is a Pioneer.

He is also trying to necessarily (that fierce urgency of now) implement a new way to Govern through a self-sustaining People's Colliation, taking the power out of special interest groups, corporations, and those with great wealth and returning the power back to the People where it belongs in a true democracy. There is no experience for this -- it is a new way-- he is a Pioneer. Some things call for a different energy than experience in breaking down old barriers that do not work for the good of all. It is a hard and difficult task to break down these old special-interest barriers. He is fighting against a very determined force for that not to happen -- that is why Hillary Clinton often aligns and compares herself with McCain, the Past, the Old and the Status Quo -- Barack represents the Future, the New (newer values) and that which is Progressive. It would be great if he could add Gore to the ticket either as President or Vice President.

In essence, America is only as good and strong (a strength forged from goodwill, integrity, a freedom from fear and want) as her politicians and leaders! America is trying to reclaim her Soul!

Gore won't because he doesn't want to draw attention to the $50 million IPO stock scam he's got going on right now.

Al Gore's Convenient IPO, from Newweek:

In the financial election of his life, Al Gore is betting that investors will vote with their dollars for him and his big idea. CurrentTV's parent company, Current Media, hopes to raise $100 million in a public offering it filed on Jan. 28. Some of the money will go to pay off lenders, who include a couple of Democratic Party biggies that joined the onetime Veep to launch a new style of citizen-journalism. Of course the IPO will also help make Gore, who sits on the board of Apple (AAPL) and is a senior adviser to Google (GOOG), a sizable bundle of cash.

Something about this deal just doesn't sit right with me. Gore isn't just taking piles of cash. According to the filing Gore, who is listed as executive chairman, and his CEO partner, lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Joel Hyatt, each loaned the company $1 million to get it started. They'll get that back in the IPO. But the two guys also collect hefty salaries for a company that hasn't shown a profit in three years—taking down $491,677 apiece last year in cash, plus bonuses of $550,000 each for, in Gore's case, helping get the company new affiliate agreements, broadening exiting agreements, and putting together a management team. The two currently receive $600,000 a year in salary and are eligible for additional bonuses, according to the IPO filing.

By comparison, at the time of the Google IPO in 2004, its two founders were each taking home a total of $356,556 in salary and bonuses, while sitting on top of a company that had earned nearly $106 million the year before.

Outsize Shareholder Clout
What really sticks out to me, however, is that Gore and Hyatt, who started the company in 2002 (and jump-started it with a broken-down Newsworld International channel they bought for $70.9 million) will have the kind of hammer-lock control over the company decried by shareholder rights activists and many of the same unions that supported Gore for years. According to the filing, once the dust has settled Gore and Hyatt will control all of the company's Class B shares, which give them 10 votes for every vote a common shareholder gets with a Class A share.

The company hasn't said how many shares it will issue, so there is no way of knowing just how much control Gore and Hyatt will exercise. But the Google founders, who also control their company's Class B shares, hold nearly 56% voting control of the company (of course, far as I know, they never ran for public office). http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2008/tc2008035_855093.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_tech+investing

Bloomberg for veep and make the move now.

Obama has a shot at a master stroke if he brings Bloomberg into his team right away.

This would refocus everyone on economic credentials, put teeth to Obama's claims to be able to reach across partisan lines, strengthen his hand in the Florida do-over and stanch the whispering campaign of the Clintons in favor of a 'dream team' ticket.

The sooner the better on this. No need for an official proclamation, just lots of visible campaigning, public hugs and whatnot.

Courageous and risky, this would really be a race-changer.

If it's Obama/Clinton, Obama better watch his back.

If it's Clinton/Obama, Obama better learn to like to the #3 position.

What about a Clinton/Clinton ticket? Does anything in the law keep Slick Willie out of the #2 slot?

Just askin'

Oh, my. This is not a winning idea. It's a terrible idea. The enthusiasm of this primary season would be destroyed if the candidates the voters have chosen are both booted. We would see a lot of democrats staying home in November if we were to replace Obama and Clinton with a white male. The dismay, disappointment, and anger would be huge.

Besides, as much as I admire Gore and wish he has won in 2000, that was 8 years ago. He cannot win based on "should have been prez in 2000."

"If it's Obama/Clinton, Obama better watch his back."

You are so correct. The ruthless and completely unprincipled Clintons will do ANYTHING TO ET BACK IN THE WHITE HOUSE. ONLY GOD CAN HELP US IF THAT HAPPENS......

I said exactly this over a month ago:

http://insularcabal.blogspot.com/2008/02/gores-secret-strategy.html

Another media story, another comment section, and more Obama supporters spreading their hate.
Any news today?

Maybe Algore can break away from saving the planet from melting and counting his GW millions to help calm the race riot at the convention when the Hildebeast tries to steal the nomination. It's a good thing they chose Denver instead of LA in the summertime.

attheshore,

"Another media story?" What the heck does that even mean? Where do you think stories come from? Maybe they come out of one of them there highfalutin' Internet tubes. So where do Hillary's stories come from?

As for Obama supporters "spreading their hate, " you should try out for "Last Comic Standing." Who boasts of their "kitchen sink" strategy? Who's openly extolling the Republican nominee as being more qualified than a fellow Democrat? Who lied about the message sent to the Canadian government on NAFTA? Who denigrates Obama's position on the Iraq war as "just a speech," while her own self-extolled contribution to the Irish peace process amounted to a ladies' tea/photo op?

Pointing out Hillary's shameless deceit and willingness to take down the entire Democratic Parry may not be love, but it's not necessarily hate. But these are just "media stories," I suppose...

You may be attheshore, but you''re certainly all wet.

Lately I have placed a couple of posts regarding the choice that Democrats (big"D") face when we convene OUR National Convention in Denver. The point of the post "It's MY PARTY and we will do as we want to" is that this choice will be made by Democrats (big "D"), without reference to the chatter from the peanut gallery, the Media or even the actual votes of independents and Republicans.

Do to the open, democratic (little "d") nature of OUR Primaries, many of you, independents, progressives and even Republicans have been invited to register your choice with us by your vote in OUR Democratic (big "D") Presidential Primary. If you would like to have greater influence register as a Democrat and join one of our thousands of Clubs, which are the building blocks of our, MY, Party.

And we thank you for your votes and hope you will again join us in November, but this our, MY, Party and we will make the choice in the best interest of our, MY, Party. If this requires us to disappoint both Clinton and Obama in order to unite the Party and prevail in November, then that is exactly what WE, the Democrats (big "D") will do. That is one reason why we have the Superdelegates.

We have the Superdelegates to prevent our open and democratic (little "d") Primaries from producing a nominee who does not represent our values and might not even have the best interests of our Party at heart. In the nightmare scenario a Zell Miller type is almost able to secure the needed elected Primary Delegates due to large numbers of independent and cross-over votes and arrives at our Convention to demand the Nomination based on the popular votes and a lead in the elected delegates.

So make no mistake... The Democratic Party, MY Party, is master of it own destiny. If these two candidates can come to some sort of deal before we meet on the banks of Cherry Creek, then fine... If not you need not be concerned for the Party, MY Party, for we are prepared to do what must be done.

And it is the opinon of this older observer that we will choose Al Gore on the 3rd Ballot by acclimation and a unanimous vote of the Convention.

RGJ/Dallas112263

Dallas, if Mrs. Bill Clinton and BHO are the best YOUR party can come up with after 8 years then you set your sights pretty low. YOUR dems gave us "Rainmaker" Gore and the "Swift Boat" gigolo Kerry to run against an idiot and both lost. If, God forbid, one of YOUR current losers should get to be president, we may well be looking back at the Bush years as the good old days. We need another JFK. Not a BHO.

My dream ticket would be Lewis Black and Rutherford B. Hayes; Black because he will deliver a hearty "F**k You" to everyone who walks in the Oval Office, and Hayes because he kinda sorta looks like Hillary, even though dead.

Talk of a joint ticket -- Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama However is on top of that ticket better hire a food tester

An awful lot of Haight Ashbury in the 60s kind of naivete in most of these comments. Most of you know very little of politicians. Obama, Hillary, Gore -- what's the difference? They'll betray every trust you repose in them in a heartbeat to further their own personal agendas. Oh, yes, I know -- these guys are different. So was Spitzer.