Gore: Backing into 2008 nomination?

[AuH2O]

Al Gore did something very interesting during the Dem primaries. He basically got a "hot read" (football term) on Dean's ascendency and was among the first establishment pols to back him.

Problem: Dean collapsed. Well, it looked like a big problem-- I thought Gore was a huge loser in the whole affair. But wait. It seems as if Gore might have screwed up so badly that he looks like a genius: Dean, who he became close with, is set to be DNC chair as a result of his erstwhile grassroots cred. Kerry lost, leaving 2008 open. All the ingredients are there, including Gore's desire.

To make matters better, many Democrats believe he actually won in 2000, so they wouldn't technically be retreading a loser. Kerry has many Democrats embittered over his poor campaign, even though a good number are still fond of him. Gore is also younger than Kerry, so in 4 years he won't be too aged to seem like a reasonable option.

The Nixon parallel is almost eerie. Be Vice-President for 8 years. Lose a close (and somewhat questionable) election. Fall off the face of the Earth. Next election, back a maverick quickly that transforms the party (though Goldwater did get the nomination and Dean didn't, since Dean is becoming DNC chair the result is the same).

And, of course, Gore is more than aware of the parallel... I imagine it occurs to him more often than eating mice occurs to cats. If the Dem establishment-- reshaped by Dean-- goes with Gore, he will be near-unstoppable in the primaries. Well, there's Hillary. That would be ugly. In any case, there is a certain geometry to it all... the downside for Democrats is that Gore is now a caricature of his former self, and in a general election he would be humiliated by a Romney or Allen.

[AuH2O]

Good post. However, won't his crazed comments to MoveOn.org and blatantly liberal tendencies make him something of a sinking ship?

If he can reform his image a bit, I honestly think he's got a shot.

Father Time can work wonders. Certainly Gore has put his foot in his mouth at various times, but for activists that burnishes his credibility as a strong Democrat. Keep in mind, I don't think Gore can win nationally; Democrats apparently are not effective at nominating good candidates, so that is not necessarily a major impediment for him.

Then again, who wants to lose twice? Stevenson was kind of taking one for the team in 1956; Gore would be running for real in '08. Of course, candidates will emerge that no one is talking about right now, but Gore is the donkey in the room with Dean as DNC chair.