Gore asked Clinton to stay on the sidelines in 2000
Which further solidifies Gore as a moron.
A case can be made from both sides as to whether Gore should have embraced Clinton or not in 2000.
Is Gore the president? No. Was it because of Katharine Harris and the evil nazi-Republicans that wake up every day planning ways to kill little liberal children because they aren't actually human beings? No. Could it be because Gore decided to distance himself from a very popular administration to do his 'own thing' which in turn actually just cost him every southern state that Clinton ever carried? Jackpot. I really don't see the argument from the pro-Gore side on this one...he screwed the pooch when he pushed Clinton away. They didn't elect him twice for nothing ya know. I mean, did Gore actually think that the people just really really liked him as VP?
dazzleman made an excellent point a while back on the issue. Clinton was personally unpopular at that point, even if his had very solid job ratings. The Lewinsky scandal didn't play well among moralists in the south and rural midwest. If Gore had embraced Clinton, it likely would have helped him in areas he didn't need the help (the northeast, pacific coastline) and hurt him in areas he did need the help (among middle class/lower middle class southern whites and rural midwesterners). If Gore had embraced Clinton, the election simply would have been slightly more polarized.
Also take into account Clinton's record while campaigning for other people. He hasn't done well. See Florida 2002, when Jeb routed, California 2003 with Gray Davis, and so on.
