Following on the heels that Al Gore is the number one choice of Michigan Democrats for president comes news the former vice president and environmental activist is also favored by Democrats in Scottsdale, AZ.
The straw poll placed Gore at the top of the field with 51 percent of the votes, followed by former senator John Edwards with 17 percent, national front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton with 14 percent, Sen. Barack Obama by 9 percent, Sen. Joe Biden by 6 percent and Rep. Dennis Kucinich by 3 percent.
Al Gore continues to be the Democrats favorite candidate despite the fact he has not announced he intends to run for president in 2008. Such showings also reveal the weak-as-water support for Sen. Hillary Clinton amongst likely Democratic voters.
I can’t wait to see what happens in September or October. By then, the nattering hanger-on-ers like Dodd and Biden should fall away and the genuine field of front runners should become clear.
The entire drama could very well be decided at the Democratic convention in Denver. If the delegates throw their votes to Gore and not Hillary, the entire race will be turned upside down.
The interesting thing about Gore is, he always leaves the door slightly ajar, never really saying he won’t ever enter the race, yet never committing to his supporters.
It’s an interesting tactic that suggests the Oracle is planning a Pattonesque attack in the fall.
I don’t think Gore will run and the media would crucify him if he did because they want Hillary, since the repugs can destroy her easier, and if she wins they Repugs still win also.
I found this on Gore Hub and wanted to pass it along for you folks to see.
SACRAMENTO, CA–(Marketwire – August 22, 2007) – Upon announcing their intentions of putting Al Gore on the California ballot for the state’s primary election, California Draft Gore has seen a surge of Gore volunteers and positive support for the statewide initiative which joins a national effort to place Gore on the ballot.
“It’s been an overwhelming but exhilarating experience to see the enthusiasm for Al. People who normally don’t volunteer for stuff are eager to help,” said Chris Vallone, Northern California campaign coordinator. “In just the last weekend we have had at least 180 volunteers sign up, but many volunteers are still needed in every district, city, county and region. Everyone who supports Gore has a place in this campaign.”
http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/8/22/203817/245
Whether Gore enters the 2008 race or not is up to him and his family. To go through such an ordeal when his focus is raising awareness about climate change could very well be a distraction.
However, I find it more than a little fascinating that his name keeps coming up at the top of lists of favorite Democratic candidates for president and he hasn’t even announced he’s running. By now, 15 months out from the General election, Hillary should be polling much better and Gore’s name shouldn’t even appear.
What might we conclude from this?
For starters, Hillary’s support is very weak. Her negatives are consistantly high (43% in one poll) and this should sound alarms among the party faithful. With such high negatives, the GOP is well positioned to win the president with Guiliani or Thompson.
Also, I agree with Bump Hampton’s assessment that Gore always leaves the door open and a light on regarding his intentions. I think we will know much more in the fall. Until then, I am pledged to seeing Gore elected president. If Hillary is the nominee, I think the Republicans will keep control of the executive branch.
He’s my dream candidate for president and I’ve said it before, I will gladly volunteer my time if Gore decides to run. The more I learn about the serious environmental we’re faced with, the more convinced I become that we must address what ailes the planet or nothing else much matters.
Gore in 2008?
Make it so! Bloggers united and force his hand.
Gore has to be getting the message by now. I have to think he must be privately enjoying the slugfest underway between Hillary and Obama. They’re making fools of themselves as Gore just gets on with his main issue: climate change. The more the Dems battle, the more presidential Gore looks by comparison. Yeah, he’s got to be enjoying it.
Christopher: Didn’t somebody post here a while back claiming that they knew the Gore people and that they had the inside track on the info? That Gore entering the race was as good as done?
Or am I missing something?
Hi Dad,
I’ve posted several items to that end.
I know a few people in LA in the industry and they are in constant contact with Gore and his daughter who lives in San Francisco. They’re on him like white on rice about running.
We’re all waiting for September or October and his final decision. If I were a betting man, Hillary shouldn’t order new stationary.
These straw polls (Mich., Calif., and AZ.) show a general dissatisfaction with the Democratic front runner and a passion for the man who had the presidency stolen out from under him by a rightwing, activist Supreme Court.
Hillary Clinton should be afraid.
I thought Scottsdale is conservative? If Gore can carry a conservative burb like Scottsdale, he would have no problem with Houston or Nashville.
If Gore enters the race, how the Republicans and the fundies and the press or any other faction deals with it will be moot.
He will be our next president.
The DNC is worried she will get the nomination and then get her butt handed to her by Rudy. The American people don’t want her in the White House. Her negatives are sky high. These are facts and the left had better figure out what they’re going to do or we’re going to lose the presidency to the GOP once again.
These straw polls (Mich., Calif., and AZ.) show a general dissatisfaction with the Democratic front runner…
Straw polls count. They matter.
A recent Democratic straw polls in Illinois shows Senator Clinton losing to Senator Obama. News reports suggest Senator Clinton is unbeatable but according to whom? The media? The party elite?
While a straw polls may have no official impact on a race, they do represent a snapshot of how potential voters think about a candidate. For anyone to fail to recognize this can profoundly affect the outcome of a campaign.
With Al Gore, America wins.
With Barack Obama, America wins.
With John Edwards, America wins.
With Hillary Clinton, America is screwed. Sorry to all you establishment Dems and feministas but, this woman is Bush-lite and I don’t anticipate voting for her.
But isn’t this what Gore has been waiting for? He needs to know who is the competition before throwing his hat in the ring. Once he knows for sure it’s Hillary Clinton, he can strategize.
Also, I agree with Bump Hampton’s assessment that Gore always leaves the door open and a light on regarding his intentions.
That had better be an energy efficient light bulb!
Seriously though, global warming is such a serious threat that the ’08 election will have a huge effect on generations not yet born. It’s so very important not only for America, but for the whole world, that the new president in the White House understands fully the problems and solutions of climate change.
Al Gore is a very elegant speaker, he commands your attention, and if he is elected President (correction, if he is elected AGAIN!) it will be such a vast change to the lame duck currently occupying the WH. I’m crossing my fingers America makes the right choice, the world is literally in your hands.
Better Hillary than anyone in the GOP field.
Can we agree to this much? Maybe having Bill’s wisdom at her disposal will help make her presidency a success? Just saying.
I really hope Gore does end up in the fray – of course I would love to see a Gore-Obama ticket.
Also, I thought I would stop by and let you know that your blog was one of the featured spots on the very first BWR at my new place. Drop by any time!
Thanks, Robert! See you there.
I was thinking, what of a Gore/Clark ticket?
They would appear to compliment one another well and each has expertise on issues the other one lacks.
A Gore/Clark ticket works for me.
If Mr. Gore is going to jump in, he needs to do it soon in order to qualify for Federal campaign matching funds. I believe the deadline is October, but I’m not absolutely sure.
I love the idea of all hell breaking loose if Gore were to enter the race for president. He could single-handedly shake up the status quo and watch people become accountable overnight. Something we haven’t seen much of in this race to date.
To answer Jane’s question….No and No.
I agree that Gore/Clark would be the best for this country.
They both have the wisdom and experience to bring us back to where we are in desperation to be. Only if dreams could come true…