MyDD :: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread

Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread

by Todd Beeton, Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 08:53:25 PM EST

Al Gore is expected to endorse Barack Obama at a rally in Detroit shortly.

Donate to Barack Obama's campaign HERE.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm is currently speaking.

Update [2008-6-16 21:4:54 by Todd Beeton]:Great intro by Granholm. Referring to the Stevie Wonder song that Barack uses at the end of his rallies, "Senator Obama, we are signed, we are sealed and in November, we will be delivered."

Update [2008-6-16 21:9:3 by Todd Beeton]:About McCain, Gore says: "We simply can not afford to continue the policies of the last 8 years." Nice to see him back in politics.

Update [2008-6-16 21:12:18 by Todd Beeton]:On 2000, "Take it from me, elections matter...after the last 8 years, even our dogs and cats have learned that elections matter. And this election matters more than ever because America needs change more than ever."

Update [2008-6-16 21:39:30 by Josh Orton]: Obama just called out the crowd for booing Clinton during Granholm's introduction. And he's now praising her effusively.

Update [2008-6-16 22:18:10 by Todd Beeton]:Just a quick note on Gore's speech, I have to admit that when he said "Take it from me, elections matter," I got a chill down my spine and a lump in my throat. It was a short and sweet speech but a pretty powerful one. Imagine him on the road for Obama in Florida.

Tags: 2008 presidential election, barack obama, al gore (all tags)

Permalink :: 67 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (2.00 / 1)

It was right of Gore to wait it out on this, I think it is clear he would have been ok with either of them getting the nomination, and wanted to maintain his neutrality as a leader in the party.

I'm glad to see him out there for Obama now, he is a voice a lot of people respect on many issues.

by libertyleft on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 08:55:02 PM EST

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (none / 0)

It's too bad that Granholm can't be considered a potential VP candidate (Canadian-born).

by rfahey22 on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 08:57:50 PM EST

I was about to say the same. (2.00 / 1)

She's sure doing good tonight.

Female from a swing region, darn she's Canadian. Senator in the future perhaps? ;)

Please visit Cotton Mouth to support Mississippi progressives.

by cottonmouthblog on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 08:59:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I was about to say the same. (none / 0)

Canadial Gal for VP!

by french imp on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 03:45:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I was about to say the same. (none / 0)

Er.. I meant Canadian Gal, sorry.
I must have gotten too enthusiastic.

by french imp on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 03:45:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (2.00 / 1)

Her rep here in Michigan isn't exactly stellar. It's no all her fault, but still.

She is a good campaigner though.

John McCain defends Bush's Iraq strategy.

by recusancy on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:01:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (none / 0)

Hmmm..I think she can be VP, she just can't actually be President, or at least run for Pres? Not sure, I'd have to go back and read the particular Article in full.

by Rictor Rockets on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:30:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (none / 0)

Pretty much the main job of the VP is to be one heartbeat away from the Presidency. If she can't do that job, then she can't be VP... even if it's legal as such, it would be a huge and ridiculously unnecessary political mistake to nominate her.

Join the Matthew 25 Network and help Democrats win the next generation of evangelicals.

by mistersite on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:38:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (2.00 / 1)

She can't be VP. Requierments for VP are the same as for Pres. Must be a natural born U.S. citizen, etc..

by cgvjelly on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:39:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (2.00 / 1)

Two relevant passages from the Constitution, with necessary emphasis:

Article II, Section 1-

No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States.

Amendment XII-

[...] The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.

So, no Granholm. I wouldn't be surprised to see her somewhere in the Cabinet, though, either in 2009 or after she's out of office in 2011.

Walberg Watch - Following Radical Conservative Rep. Tim Walberg in MI-07

by Fitzy on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:47:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (none / 0)

...........But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. Amendement XII of the Constitution.

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers. -- Thomas Jefferson

by pollbuster on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 10:51:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Good lord (none / 0)

I take a nap, wake up, come here and people are talking about nominating Granholm?!? why? Because she's cute and makes a good speech? Looked at Michigan lately??! Aren't we interested in winning Michigan?

Sexism is real.

by grassrootsorganizer on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 11:01:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

She's "cute?" (none / 0)

And your sig is about sexism.

Funny.

Please visit Cotton Mouth to support Mississippi progressives.

by cottonmouthblog on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 12:52:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Good lord (none / 0)

Actually, no. She's a Democratic governor in a battleground state and presumably speaks to those working class voters who supposedly don't connect with Obama. But, your thought process is illuminating. A little at odds with your sig, no?

by rfahey22 on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 01:08:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Good lord (none / 0)

She is the most unpopular governor in the history of this battleground state currently ranked dead last in every economic indicator out there.
She was reelected in 2006 only because she ran against Dick DeVos , the Amway Clown, and half the people in Michigan have been screwed over by Amway.
The state shut down for a day in 2007 because she couldn't get a budget passed in months of trying. "Ineffectual" is too nice a owrd for her ability to govern.
She wouldn't bring Michigan in, she would probably COST Obama Michigan, that's how bad things are and how much people hold her responsible for it. And apparently some people here have forgotten how she is at least 50% responsible for the debacle that was the Michigan Primary.

I called her "cute" because upthread a bunch of folks who must have only seen her give a speech were bemoaning her Canadian birth and talking about how good she looked next to Obama, as if public speaking skills, a swing state governorship and looking good next to the candidate were all that mattered.

I admit to being poorly informed on many of Obama's other possible choices, but when I read stuff like that about Granholm it throws all the other "great choices" touted here into doubt in my head.

Sexism is real.

by grassrootsorganizer on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 08:42:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (2.00 / 1)

Go Wings!

John McCain defends Bush's Iraq strategy.

by recusancy on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:05:20 PM EST

Woot. (none / 0)

Obama - Gore?

I'd love it, but I think Obama can do even better. ;)

Gobama!

Please visit Cotton Mouth to support Mississippi progressives.

by cottonmouthblog on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:05:40 PM EST

Re: Woot. (2.00 / 1)

Gore cant relish the idea of being vice again, especially after he was almost elected President. I think he has a great future doing real things in the area he truly cares about, environmental policy, and I`d like to see a return to pre-Cheney vice presidential power. I think Gore is of a similar mind, and if he is he should not accept the veep.

[ Donate to Barack Obama ]

by semiquaver on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:31:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

True. (none / 0)

Please visit Cotton Mouth to support Mississippi progressives.

by cottonmouthblog on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:43:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (2.00 / 1)

Evoking Kennedy, nice.

by libertyleft on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:10:00 PM EST

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (2.00 / 1)

"If you like T on your BLT, then you know that elections matter." -Al Gore

LOL!!!!!!

by politicalfan on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:13:35 PM EST

I loved that line. (none / 0)

Also after talking about tainted pet food from China, the line about even our dogs and cats know elections matter. Great speech!

That One is the Right One for 2008.

by GFORD on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 10:37:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

at least he waited (2.00 / 3)

and let the primary season pan out. I still wish HE had run, and he'd have had my vote in an instant. But he was smart, he wasn't gonna get his reputation smeared by getting called a racist like the Clintons were.

by Lakrosse on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:15:54 PM EST

Re: at least he waited (2.00 / 1)

...or a sexist like everyone except Our Girl. Just to be complete.

But seriously, the only thing that sucks more than running for president must be running for VP, and Gore's already got his own sort of bully pulpit. Why take the trouble?

by username on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 11:28:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (none / 0)

It's amazing, Gore can barely get the word "Bush" out of his mouth. It's obvious he doesn't even really like to talk about him even in this context, and with good reason.

P.S. I like this speech a lot.

Polawtics. Where awareness of the internet happens.

by ASDem on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:18:46 PM EST

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (2.00 / 1)

I see the Goracle still has it. He is a pretty good speaker. Where was this guy in 2000? He has certainly become a much more appealing character since his run for President.

by JustJennifer on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:19:58 PM EST

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (none / 0)

Just like before he became VP, back when he really dug into environmental issues. I don't think he can both do what he does best, and appeal to 50% + 1.

by username on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 11:29:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (none / 0)

Obama is listening very intently to Al Gore.

by Makey on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:20:00 PM EST

Gore ends (2.00 / 1)

and CNN goes to a commercial while Obama takes the stage.

by Coldblue on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:21:25 PM EST

That was a great speech by Gore! (2.00 / 1)

Elections DO matter!

by slinkerwink on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:25:39 PM EST

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (2.00 / 2)

It's streaming on cnn.com

Obama is praising Hillary - quite extensively and in detail. Nice!

We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.

by politicsmatters on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:39:14 PM EST

It was good. (2.00 / 3)

He's healing this party on the way to healing this nation.

Please visit Cotton Mouth to support Mississippi progressives.

by cottonmouthblog on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:43:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It was good. (none / 0)

I love your blog - read it a lot before the Mississippi primary.

We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.

by politicsmatters on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 09:50:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hmmm... (1.20 / 5)

"Just a quick note on Gore's speech, I have to admit that when he said 'Take it from me, elections matter,' I got a chill down my spine and a lump in my throat. It was a short and sweet speech but a pretty powerful one. Imagine him on the road for Obama in Florida."

Kind of bittersweet considering Obama won the 2008 primary in the same exact manner George Bush won the 2000 election (both lost the PV and effectively won when a small decision making body decided to not count all of the votes in Florida).

Lifelong Democrat, civil rights advocate, former volunteer for Dem candidates. Now Independent.

by BPK80 on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 10:23:23 PM EST

Re: Hmmm... (2.00 / 1)

Both interesting and inaccurate. But you already knew that.

by rfahey22 on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 10:28:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hmmm... (2.00 / 1)

someday you will have to stand down and come out of your fox hole. The primary is over and the GE is well under way.

by Xris on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 10:30:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hmmm... (none / 0)

You would be amazed. Former President Chelsea Clinton may have to personally inform him.

by username on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 11:33:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What a pile of crap (none / 0)

Your 'popular vote' argument is utter pablum. The only way it works is to give Clinton all the votes from an undemocratic election and discounting several caucus states.

Obama won the most states, won the most delegates, made the most money, won more primaries, won more caucuses, and won the support of the most unpledged delegates.

Epic fail on your part, though.

John McCain, maverick

by lojasmo on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 10:59:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hmmm... (none / 0)

Perhaps you would rather Clinton was put over the top by fully counting a state where Obama wasn't even on the ballot. That would have been real legit... Trust me, we're better off as a party having it end how it did than to allow what Clinton and her supporters wanted to push through. That would have TRULY alienated half the party & destroyed our chances in Nov. Now we're en route to victory and you can enjoy it with the rest of us if you choose to. Would it be so terrible to actually win for once?

by Democrat in Chicago on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 01:56:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hmmm... (none / 0)

What bullshit. Do the deadenders even care anymore about making such fools of themselves?

Obama had enough of a lead that you could seat Florida and Michigan three times over fully, and he'd still have won the primaries season.

But of course you don't care about that. Why would a deadender care about a thing as insignificant as FACTS or TRUTH or RULES or indeed anything whatsoever except spin?

by Aris Katsaris on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 02:45:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hmmm... (none / 0)

It's ok. While I really enjoyed my time here at MyDD and my proud lifelong affiliation with the Democratic party, I have gone from undecided to pretty firmly planted in the McCain camp this week. Things could change, it's more 90% than 100%, and I don't expect to change anyone else's mind here. So no threats etc.

Much as Hillary supporters were constructively exiled from Dailykos and surely will be from MyDD, life will still go on for me. I expect I will get more troll rates for stating my honest opinion but that is the vast intolerance for dissent that is typical of the left these days.

The fact that I disagree with many posters here, many of whom I respect personally, will inevitably make it more and more claustrophobic for me to speak up. And the efforts will be futile. This isn't a GBCW but simply an acknowledgment that I have to move on. I find that for too many supporters of the nominee, dissent and criticism are perceived as threats and insults and treated with utmost disrespect. I also dislike the party leadership smugly saying, "Oh them? Yeah, whatever. They'll come around. Who cares." Not gonna happen.

Most of my friends, likewise lifelong Dems, feel the same way. So I know I'm in good company.

Lifelong Democrat, civil rights advocate, former volunteer for Dem candidates. Now Independent.

by BPK80 on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:26:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (2.00 / 1)

Great speech. It's endorsements like these that are visibly helping unify the party.

Unity seems to be helping in states like Virginia which new poll show Obama is +1 to new Rassmussen poll.

http://rasmussenreports.com/public_conte nt/politics/election_20082/2008_presiden tial_election/virginia/election_2008_vir ginia_presidential_election

by politicalfan on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 10:23:34 PM EST

When I first saw Granholm speaking (2.00 / 1)

at the governor's convention I was impressed. Too bad she was born in Canada and can't be on the list for VP. She's smart, energetic, charismatic and a helluva public speaker.

That One is the Right One for 2008.

by GFORD on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 10:34:23 PM EST

Re: When I first saw Granholm speaking (none / 0)

and she can't govern her way out of a wet paper bag. Would you really want the nightmare that is the Michigan economy on Obama's back?
Seriously, comments like this make me really want to do some research on Sebellius.

Sexism is real.

by grassrootsorganizer on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 11:04:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: When I first saw Granholm speaking (2.00 / 1)

don't blame Granholm for Michigan's economy. Michigan has been in the tank for 30 years - and has not gotten better.

by colebiancardi on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 07:01:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: When I first saw Granholm speaking (none / 0)

Michigan has been in a prolonged economic downturn for decades, and it was her predecessor, the evil John Engler, who squandered a budget surplus on tax giveaways while throwing the needy out on the streets and cutting everything in sight that didn't make his cronies richer. But Granholm has accomplished NOTHING in 8 years short of accelerating the flushing.
She can't work well with the legislature, she can't manage to attract new industries effectively, she sure hasn't earned the confidence of her citizens. Even if it's not her fault, go ahead and find ten Michiganders who aren't party regulars who don't blame her.

She wouldn't bring in Michigan, she'd cost us Michigan for sure.

Sexism is real.

by grassrootsorganizer on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 08:48:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm not in Michigan but when she spoke (none / 0)

at the governor's convention she talked about attracting overseas companies to come to Michigan. She had a list of companies that expressed interest and I got the impression they would buy (or lease) the closed down factories.

Maybe that didn't pan out or not yet, anyway. She was very enthusiastic about Michigan and where they were heading...that was about 1 1/2 years ago so maybe changes are coming but haven't happened yet? I haven't heard anything since but I don't really follow Michigan that closely.

Just saying I liked the cut of her jib when I saw her speak.

That One is the Right One for 2008.

by GFORD on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 01:59:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The crowd boo-ed Clinton's name? (2.00 / 1)

Obviously, it's the Hillary dead enders standing in the way of unity. Hillary must have sent in undercover republican trolls to stir up trouble. (snark)

John McCain says he would stay in Iraq for 100 years? That's crazy talk!

by kosnomore on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 10:47:39 PM EST

Re: The crowd boo-ed Clinton's name? (none / 0)

They were actually booing her for supporting Hillary, which is also dumb, but different.

by Loli on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 11:26:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

And Obama called them out (2.00 / 1)

He called them out for booing and then praised HRC, but I doubt you will see many HRC supporters recognize that fact.

by monkeyga on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 11:46:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Again, they wouldn't have booed (2.00 / 1)

if Obama's campaign staff hadn't called her a racist, hadn't called Bill a racist, and hadn't accused Hillary of calling for his assassination.
If you convince folks of something, they're going to act on it.

John McCain says he would stay in Iraq for 100 years? That's crazy talk!

by kosnomore on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 12:04:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

That's like saying (2.00 / 1)

Clinton supporters wouldn't be considering McCain if she hadn't praised him during the primaries.

Some of his supporters don't like her, it's not his fault, it's not her fault, it's life.

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 12:23:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Wow (none / 0)

You're all over the place tonight. Are you hourly or salary?

by mikeinsf on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 04:05:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

And Clinton supporters wouldn't have boo'ed (none / 0)

Obama if she hadn't attacked him in her campaign. Not everyone on both sides is over the hurt feelings from this hard-fought primary. Most Obama supporters have moved on, most Hillary supporters have moved on...there are just a few who prefer blamestorming to brainstorming.

I respectfully suggest you have a point but it is moot now. Those who boo'ed need to get over it. Fair enough?

That One is the Right One for 2008.

by GFORD on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 02:04:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: And Obama called them out (none / 0)

That would require them to acknowledge something good about the Democrat that some of them hate more than most republicans.

ENOUGH!

by JDF on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 12:31:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Where Gore should campaign (2.00 / 3)

1. Florida. Gore's very presence is a living reminder of how easily things could have been so different without GW Bush.I would use Gore and Hillary to try and make a play for Florida.

2. Colorado. Gores's credibility ont he environment will appeal. They key is that McCain is not the typical Republican who thinks that global warming is a fairy tale. He has offerred up a cap & trade plan (without realizing that for a cap to work it has to be mandatory). Gore is the best person to attack McCain's plan.

3. As part of Obama's effort to reach out to evangelicals to promote planatary stewardship.

by chatters71 on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 11:13:29 PM EST

Gore phoned it in (2.00 / 1)

What the hell?

No PowerPoint?

No hydraulics?

Lame.

(Just kidding, obviously. The speech was great.)

by jdusek on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 12:53:34 AM EST

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (2.00 / 2)

It's not an exaggeration to say that the planet Earth would be a better place if Albert Gore had become president in 2001. A true American hero.

by Democrat in Chicago on Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 01:50:42 AM EST

Re: Al Gore Endorsement Live Thread (none / 0)

Most Obama supporters have moved on, most Hillary supporters have moved on......

Flashlights rc heli videogame

by blueskyadf on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 04:16:42 AM EST

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