Al Gore Redux?

I will admit up front that I have always been something of an Al Gore fan. Even back to 1988 when he first ran for President I thought he would have made a decent nominee, certainly better than Dukakis, but then that is a fairly low bar to cross. I was pretty happy in 1992 when Bill Clinton picked Gore as his running mate. He also got my vote in 2000, despite what was probably the least effective presidential campaign in recent memory. His loss was disappointing, but wholly earned by his timid and overly cautious campaign. All that being said, I hope against hope that Al Gore will take the plunge and run in 2008. Here are just a few reasons why the 2008 version of Gore can succeed where the 2000 edition failed.

First, even with the worst run campaign I have ever seen, he still won. Now, I am not talking about conspiracies and such, but he won the popular vote nationally and if you truly believe that those 2000 elderly Jewish folks voted for Pat Buchanan I have some very nice bridges in Arizona for sale that you can have for a steal. Al Gore was one poorly designed ballot away from being the President of the Untied States.

So how would the '08 version of Al Gore fare any better than he did in 2000? Well, for starters, he could run in 2008 with the full backing of the netroots. These bloggers and online activists didn't exist in 2000 and they absolutely love Al Gore for his early opposition to the war and his ongoing crusade against global warming. Their support means millions of dollars and thousands of volunteers that were not available in 2000.

Second, let's talk about that campaign. Throughout the campaign Gore was desperately searching for a voice that he never found. His appearance was that of a tentative man with a whole lot to lose, which made sense because he did have a whole lot to lose. He was given the nomination by his party after no real challenge in the primaries. He had an eight year record of peace and plenty to run on in the general election against a tongue tied former governor with no foreign policy experience. Only a chimp could lose an election like that and the pressure of winning what should have been a slam dunk got to him.

Next, the '08 version of Al Gore could run a campaign based on what he believes, not on what pollsters tell him to believe. It was apparent in 2000 that he listened far too much to advisors and operatives. This run could be about the issues he wants, since it is going to be a longshot candidacy. Plus, he has lost a presidential run already, he has seen the other side and found it amenable. Let's face it, Al Gore will have no shortage of career options if he runs in 2008 and loses.

Finally there is the man himself. Watching Al Gore speak today is to see a man that is at peace with where he is and how he got there. He is aware that he has made mistakes, but those mistakes helped him get to where he is today and where he is not such a bad place. This is a man who could run for President with the knowledge that he has the qualifications for the job, but also the confidence that comes with knowing that he can live without it. That can make for a very powerful candidate indeed.