|
|
|
|
IS AL GORE STARTING TO MAKE HIS MOVE?
March 30, 2008 -
April 6, 2008
In recent weeks, talk of the potential emergence of former Vice President Al Gore as a consensus candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for President has increased in volume. Newsweek columnist Eleanor Clift and Time columnist Joe Klein have both noted that Gore could provide the Democrats a winning exit strategy from the protracted Obama-Clinton primary battle, a fight that promises to get bloodier in the weeks ahead. One Democrat Congressman and Super Delegate, Tim Mahoney of Florida, has openly spoken of Gore as a potential compromise candidate if Obama and Clinton remain deadlocked when the Democrats convene for their Convention in Denver in late August.
So what does Gore say about this speculation? Nothing. It would be very easy for him to put such talk to rest -- if he would simply make it clear he has absolutely no interest in pursuing the Presidency in 2008. He could end any and all such conversation IF he would simply endorse either Hillary or Barack. But, for now, Al is simply sitting back…and waiting to see what happens.
Or is he just “sitting back”? In subtle ways he seems to be increasing his visibility, perhaps suggesting that he is not just an innocent bystander in the political drama that continues to unfold. Sunday night he made a high profile appearance on “60 Minutes” to talk about his pet issue: the crisis of “global warming.” Sunday also saw a British newspaper, the Sunday Telegraph, publish a story claiming that former Gore campaign operatives have confirmed that his inner circle actually mapped out a plan for a Gore campaign last May, a strategy that now has a “sporting chance of coming true.”
But for the potential Gore scenario to snowball into reality several things probably need to happen. First, Gore needs to step up his public appearances on issues that seem unrelated to a bid for the Presidency. Speaking out on “global warming” on 60 Minutes certainly fits the bill. Weighing in on the need for Democrats to find a way to let the voters in Michigan and Florida have their “votes count” might be another. He doesn’t need to engage in a full-fledged public relations blitz, he merely needs to step it up a notch with a few carefully planned appearances on the major Sunday morning talk shows in the weeks ahead.
Second, he needs some leading Democrats -- who have no direct or even apparent connection to him -- to increase the drumbeat of speculation about Gore being a compromise candidate for the Democrats. They must be careful, however, as premature talk of a Gore-Obama ticket might antagonize some of Obama’s supporters. Concern over slighting Hillary is not as important, since many of her delegates lack deep devotion to her and only signed on because she appeared certain to win the nomination. Gore’s advocates also need to downplay the need for a quick resolution of the impasse between Clinton and Obama. The longer this plays out, the better things look for Gore.
Finally, Gore needs one or two national polls to include him in the mix as a potential rival to John McCain. Several national polls have recently shown McCain beating either Clinton or Obama in November, which has caused Democrats to worry about not only their chances of taking the White House but whether or not they might lose their momentum in retaining or expanding their majorities in the U.S. House and Senate.
A national poll, or two, showing Gore faring well or even beating McCain in a head-to-head matchup would be just the prescription for a Gore campaign to start snowballing -- unless “global warming” causes it to melt prematurely.
###
|
 |
 |
DOES SPITZER NEED "HOOKER CREDITS"? -
March 11, 2008 -
March 17, 2008
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer desperately needs a creative way out of his scandalous interlude with a high-priced prostitute in an exclusive Washington, D.C. hotel. News that he paid $4,000, plus train tickets, cab fare, mini bar and room service, travel time and hotel, for a Valentine’s Eve flurry of fun, have placed his political career (and presumably marriage) in jeopardy. Fortunately, he can follow the Al Gore “global warming” formula for cleansing his record.
Al Gore, in his mad... |
 |
|
IS A GORE SCENARIO EMERGING? -
March 8, 2008 -
March 15, 2008
As the number of Democrat delegates available in the remaining state primaries and caucuses dwindles down, the likelihood that neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama will be able to secure the delegates needed to claim the nomination before the Democratic Convention in late August increases. Numerous factors complicate the issue, but none is more divisive than the controversy over potential delegates from Michigan and Florida. The fact that those two states also loom large as swing states in t... |
|
|
CAN THE ER STRATEGY SAVE HILLARY? -
February 13, 2008 -
February 20, 2008
Hillary Clinton’s campaign for the presidency is on life support. After a rash of victories for Barack Obama, including a sweep of primaries in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, the two candidates find themselves in a virtual dead heat in the delegate count. But all the momentum is on Barack’s side, and Hillary must now make a desperation play for the delegate-rich states of Ohio and Texas that are up for grabs on March 4. So, what cards does she have left to play?
When B... |
|
|
ROOTS OF REPUBLICAN DISCONTENT. -
February 6, 2008 -
February 11, 2008
Republicans expecting to wake up the morning after Super Tuesday with their presidential field winnowed down awoke with a hangover of post-Fat Tuesday proportions. Instead of clarity Republicans have a more muddled situation than ever. With John McCain, Mitt Romney and John McCain splitting victories Tuesday all three may be unable to secure enough delegates to win the Republican nomination prior to the Convention in Minnesota.
Putative front-runner McCain, for example, must capture a... |
|
|
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. -
January 29, 2008 -
February 5, 2008
A combative President George W. Bush gave his final State of the Union Speech Monday night. After rolling over for excessive and wasteful spending fostered by Republican majorities in the House and Senate during his first six years in office he finally found his veto pen and promised to use it.
Bush called for a major crack-down on the pork barrel practices of Congress, saying he will veto any spending bill that does not cut in half the number and cost of congressional pet projects, kno... |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Keep up with Steve, join our G-Mail List to receive Gill Show updates and Steve's weekly column... |
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
