Looking for a savior
Many Democrats worry that none of their candidates really has what it takes to win the Presidency. Hillary Clinton has frighteningly high negative numbers --a lot of people would never vote for her under any circumstances. Barack Obama, while having all the charisma that Hillary lacks, has a resume with all the depth of a wading pool. His lack of experience is a big question mark for Democrats. And John Edwards ... well, the Silky Pony candidate seems more concerned about his hair and his humble abode than the nation's needs. Does anyone take him seriously? The rest of the Democratic hopefuls are nothing more than also-rans, more than likely hoping for a spot as the vice-presidential candidate.
So, it comes as no surprise that, as the Telegraph reports, supporters of the Goracle Al Gore are quietly putting together a campaign team in anticipation of the former vice-president entering the race, probably late this year. Even without announcing, he's a serious force in the polls:
The most recent opinion polls show Mr Gore as third favourite to take the Democratic nomination, on about 17 per cent support, only a whisker behind Barack Obama, 45, who is aiming to become the first black US president, and ahead of John Edwards, 53, the senator whose wife was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Vice-President Gore's allies believe that Hillary Clinton, 59, the frontrunner, is unable to win the presidency. The most recent poll shows a growing number of voters think negatively of her, in contrast to Mr Gore, who enjoys far greater popularity than when he lost the 2000 presidential race despite polling more votes nationally than the eventual winner, George W Bush.
I don't know. I still agree with Michael Goodwin: Democrats dreaming of a second chance for Al are delusional. He has favorable numbers right now because of his Oscar win and the fact that his environmental focus gives his cultists his groupies Democrats something to campaign on other than the war, where their weakness on national security gets them killed. Goodwin's right when he reminds us of Al's liabilities:
Gore, of course, knows all about close votes, having won the popular vote in 2000. But those who remember that fact alone are forgetting the rest of the story. He was a lousy candidate who should have won in a cakewalk. He was so bad he lost his home state of Tennessee.
Old doubts about his authenticity would surface, including that he paid for advice on dressing like an alpha male. Even his personal commitment to the environment is suspect, with his carbon-spewing lifestyle already the butt of late-night jokes. And despite his conviction that we face a global crisis, Gore hardly mentioned the subject six years ago because his handlers told him not to.
And then there's the religious faith masquerading as science behind Al's "the sky is falling" environmental extremism. That's sure to become a millstone around the neck of a Gore campaign when the "facts" on which he claims there is a scientific consensus are subjected to national scrutiny.
If the Democrats are looking for a savior to come to their rescue, they'd be better off looking for someone who doesn't think of himself as the world's Lancelot.
LINKS: More at The Moderate Voice, Captain's Quarters, Sister Toldjah, Red State, and Blue Crab Boulevard.
Clearly, Algore nudges in as the people nudge Hillary out. But that's only one element in this melodrama. As Hillary falls short of "expectations" in early primaries, the search for an alternate will begin seriously. That pretty much leads inexorably to Algore -- unless the Dems want to give up any chance of winning. Meantime, McCain fades and grows angrier by the day -- at the party he wants to lead. When the smoke clears and Giuliani has the nomination, McCain reclaims the title of maverick and begins campaigning as an Independent -- much to the fawning delight of his allies in the MSM. No, he can't win the big prize, but like Perot, he can prevent his mortal enemy from winning. With Europe dancing in the streets, the results come as no surprise in November 2008 -- Algore 40%, Giuliani 38%, McCain 22%. And the Dems extend their majorities in both houses of Congress.
Posted by: Whilom Smykket | 22 April 2007 at 14:29