Bill Bennett: Al Gore's Political Suicide

The Wall Street Journal ^ | September 19, 2002 | William J. Bennett

[Petronski]

Al Gore has finally concluded his long quest for the American presidency. His speech this week at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco was an act of political self-immolation. Ironically, Mr. Gore delivered his speech in an attempt to remain relevant in American politics, as the top Democratic contender for the presidency in 2004. Instead, he has made himself irrelevant by his inconsistency, by his separation from the mainstream of public opinion, and by creating dissension in the ranks of a party trying to muster unity in support of war on Iraq. Al Gore has shown he is not fit to lead.

[Petronski]

Of course, this was published September 26, 2002 (not the nineteenth as I typed above).

[jethropalerobber]

can the dead commit suicide?

[Petronski]

My favorite part:

As a candidate for president in 2000, Mr. Gore said, "We have made it clear that it is our policy to see Saddam Hussein gone." He then concluded his remarks on Iraq with this bold statement: "And if entrusted with the presidency, my resolve will never waver."

He certainly wavered Monday...

[f.Christian]

Goremer Pyle!

[repub32]

Bravo Mr. Bennet, BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[steve-b]

Memo to Al: Don't let any of Hillary's people write you speeches in the future (assuming that can still find a venue other than a street-corner soap box at which to deliver any).

[Zack Nguyen]

Actually, Gore's words may serve to rally the core base of the Democratic Party around him. The secularists, the America-haters, the pro-terrorists, the peace-at-any-price'ers, the better-red-than-dead'ers, all these people form the base of the Democratic Party, and all will be delighted with Al Gore's latest metamorphasis, partly because they cannot remember back far enough to recall that he ever had a different opinion.

Al Gore is trying to win the primary, which given the crowded field and his own very limited political skills is very much in doubt. If the nomination becomes secure he will never mention this speech again, and will probably take the exact opposite position. And his supporters will again never waver, because they are too ignorant, or too personally corrupt to care.

[Great Dane]

LOL, and I heard someone say Gore's speech was brilliant.

[Texas Mom]

LOL, and I heard someone say Gore's speech was brilliant.

Tipper maybe?

[cubreporter]

Was it Tipper?

[SpinyNorman]

Excellent analysis!! Bennett is correct: he is not fit to lead! I listened to Gore (for as long as I could stand it) and was greeted by the same laborious, monotonous delivery that graced his 2000 campaign. And that isn't even saying anything about the so-called content of his speech!

Is this what he calls "mending fences?"

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I'm still trying to figure out that Jessie James remark.
Maybe if he'd said something like "wing 'em in the gun hand," like old Hoppy used to say...

[Malcolm]

I thought he did that in the 2000 Presidential campaign.....

[barker]

can the dead commit suicide?

Gore invented political suicide, ya' know. Yep, he really did but Tipper won't let him take the credit for it.

Really did it "Big Time" with this latest and hopefully last speech.

[Petronski]

When oppressed people protest their dictators, they do not march with symbols of the Eiffel Tower and statements from Otto von Bismark...

LOL Bump (to my own thread).

[ravingnutter]

I thought he did that in the 2000 Presidential campaign.....

Speaking of the 2000 Presidential Campaign...FYI...

"...on September 29, 2000, State Department officials were pushed by Vice President Al Gore - who finally took serious interest in the issue to dampen his administration's poor image on Iraq so that it could not threaten his chances to win the presidency come November - to release the latest [Iraq Liberation Act] aid under a Cooperative Agreement."

Source

[Paul_B]

Very gratifying to read Mr. Bennett's and Mr. Kelly's responses to Gore's abominable speech. If possible, Gore is even more a manipulative liar today than he was in 2000. Ironically, in burying himself, he has provided the contrast which advances his former running mate, Lieberman.

Now, just when they don't need it, the Dems have another problem - how to dispose of Gore civilly.

[capt. norm]

I was pleased to hear on Fox News last night that Mr. Bennett will be a contributor to their coverage of this year's elections.

When it comes down to a person's ability to articulate his thoughts, this man ranks at the top.

Last night on "Hannity & Colmes" you could see that even the liberal Colmes respected him and his calm but forceful way of making his point.

[hchutch]

As long as he doesn't rag on Howard Stern, I'll be okay wiuth that.