Al Gore Wants To Push Environment To Forefront Of 2008 Race

http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=6661710
Associated Press - June 15, 2007 3:15 AM ET

MILAN, Italy (AP) - Al Gore said in Milan, Italy, that he hopes to push the environmental agenda to the forefront of the 2008 presidential election.

The former vice president said the political will is lacking to make the kind of commitments needed to combat global warming.

He said climate awareness needs to be spread on the popular level to put pressure on policy makers.

Gore said his stops in Europe - including Greece and Turkey - have been aimed at spreading the word about the issue.

He repeated previous statements that he doesn't plan to be a candidate again.

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And I believe he is now the one leader of the global environmental movement to demand government and political accountability who can be successful at doing this if WE the people back him up and help him accomplish this based on the moral imperative regardless of political affiliation. And it is THAT important to do so regardless of political affiliation or social standing because the catastrophe that awaits us if we do not see the moral imperative over the political rhetoric is far worse. And I do not for one second believe he is saying any of this to position himself in any other way, but to be an influencer of political events after spending enough time already in this system to know now what it takes to change it... and that is CITIZENS DEMANDING CHANGE.

I believe he is doing this after thirty years of seeing what this political process is about and can now wage a true campaign for our planet as a private citizen with even more clout than a politician only without the baggage that comes with it. He knows the real and true effect he can have as a man outside this system to influence political events and truly be the catalyst for change by mobilizing the true force behind it... our moral consciences and our voices.

This entire campaign for our planet is just that, a campaign for our planet. There is no clandestine political campaign for himself behind this. He is waging this campaign as a man who truly sees the extent of the damage we are doing to this planet daily and is imploring all of us to see it as well and to do what we have been tasked to do: dispel with the unreasoned political rhetoric and make this the MORAL issue it is and take it out of the partisan political framework.

I truly believe he has gone beyond needing that "title" in a system averse to his ideas to believe this is possible, and to me that is truly visionary, revolutionary, and something I respect about him deeply because he is putting this planet first. And for those who don't think so, he has the brass ring... He has the bull by the horns... He has the momentum... He has the resources, the ears of business leaders globally, the ears of heads of state throughout the world, and the help of the UN... He has all he needs as a citizen activist, statesman, teacher, former Vice President, author, business leader, media executive, and a man with a moral purpose to be the catalyst for this issue finally reaching the critical mass it must reach in our dialogue before real change is possible. And by "real" change, I don't just mean changing who is the chairman of the corporate states of America. I mean REAL change regarding how we think, how we make decisions, how we allow reason to guide us instead of fear, and how we live.

However, the question remains: Can we do this and can we do this in time? Do we now have the human will to muster the moral strength and courage necessary to JOIN him in calling for this accountability regardless of political affiliation? We cannot expect anything to change for the better unless we take it upon ourselves to lay aside political pretense and rhetoric to appeal across the board to politicians across the board to search their hearts for even a scintilla of the moral conscience it will take to join the people in this most urgent of causes.

If this can become the moral issue it is to people regardless of them being Democrats, Republicans, Independents, etc., they will then demand it of their candidates regardless of political affiliation, and that increases the chances of success for our planet. I truly get what Mr. Gore means when he states that just placing one candidate in 2008 is not the answer. This must be a sustained appeal to ALL people to change our very way of thinking to lead to long lasting political change.

So once again, thank you Mr. Gore for your non partisan selfless contributions to the national dialogue. Personally, I am proud to say that there is not a better advocate for the people regarding the climate crisis than Al Gore, and I am happy he is on our side out here to give US the leverage we need to hopefully, finally see this issue where it belongs.

he's now mr. nafta? Get a grip. If Al runs, your candidate (whomever that is) is done.

edited for grammar

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z8PJ2KT0RVI

Jesus Christ. how many times do I need to hear, "but but but...he was the VP!!!"

People have a short memory.

This thread was about NOW. I suggest then that if you truly are so concerned for the people that you come into the PRESENT and see the world Bush and his counterparts are making while you sit spewing vitriol about the past.

He doesn't have final say on policy. But he does have to tow the Presidents line. Sort of like the opposite of what we have now.

You can fault Al all you want, fact is, he'll beat the pants off of any of the other Dem candidates.

On edit: If your looking to blame someone for nafta, look to Clinton and the repugs. Not Al.

Would be nice if you got off your political soundbite schtick for once and saw that.

which would make me very very happy.

I have to agree with the above poster if he wants to ensure it is at the forefront in this election he needs to run.

If he makes it clear that he isn't running, the issue is gone.

I want Al Gore to run and win.

But thanks for proving his point. I'll make sure to pass that along.

If he runs he will automatically become my #2 choice. I would much rather have a President Gore than HRC or Obama in the WH!

Which is his point. Of course, cheerleading for him to save us is a lot easier.