Former vice president Al Gore's long and grueling comeback will reach new heights next month, when he and his co-author, Tipper Gore, hit the campaign trail for their book, "Joined at the Heart," an anecdote-laden examination of the American family -- including their own.
Yesterday various Gore associates told us the ex-veep's media juggernaut -- which may or may not reveal, at long last, the real Al Gore, unplugged from polls and political consultants -- will hit a dozen cities and extend into December. Among the highlights of the book tour -- one of the most elaborate in recent publishing industry memory -- are a full-dress Barbara Walters interview on Nov. 15 (with promotional pearls tossed out that day on "Good Morning America"), a scheduled appearance on David Letterman's "Late Show," a "Today" show interview the following week, guest shots on CNN's " Larry King Live" and "Inside Politics," and countless back-to-back print interviews. (We're still hoping for that lunch Gore promised us ages ago.)
"We're thrilled that the Gores have agreed to let us monopolize their schedule," said Elizabeth Shreve, publicity director for Henry Holt and Co. "The more people see of the Gores, the more books we'll sell." But selling books is only part of the story.
The other part is the riveting drama -- okay, maybe we're a tad overwrought -- of this once and possibly future presidential candidate reintroducing himself to the voters. "It's an opportunity to reconnect with a whole host of issues that they really care about," said Gore adviser Carter Eskew. "I think he's feeling very comfortable, for lack of a better word, because it's material he feels deeply about."
A network television producer, who asked for anonymity, added: "He's test-driving. I don't think he's ever going to just reinvent himself. But this is personal growth, and he's really just deciding what he's going to share. And I think the media and the public should keep an open mind."
Lloyd Groves, WashPost excerpt.