Posted on 03/16/2002 3:23:43 PM PST by vannrox
ASHINGTON, March 15 — For Democrats who grumbled in the 2000 presidential campaign that Tipper would have been a more potent candidate than Al, their dream may now come true.
Tipper Gore is seriously mulling whether to run for the Senate from Tennessee, several close friends and advisers said today. Her interest in elective office has stunned Democratic Party officials and even many friends, who said she considered herself a private person and was never particularly enthusiastic about her husband's designs on the White House.
But friends of Mrs. Gore said she became intrigued with the idea of running in the last week, when Senator Fred Thompson, a popular Republican, announced that he would not seek re-election in November.
If Mrs. Gore runs, it could significantly affect her husband's political future. A Senate race by Tipper Gore could help her husband repair relations with voters in Tennessee should he seek a rematch with President Bush in 2004. Mr. Gore lost his home state in 2000 and would need to win there to capture the White House.
After word had leaked out about Mrs. Gore's interest, more and more prominent Democrats said they were warming to the idea. Many noted that it was Mrs. Gore's public, and lengthy, kiss of her husband at the Democratic convention that helped enliven his candidacy for president in 2000.
Donna Brazile, Mr. Gore's campaign manager in 2000, said that she had talked to Mr. Gore and the Gores' eldest daughter, Karenna, and that both had told her that Mrs. Gore might well jump into the race.
"I haven't heard from anyone that I should put the brakes on this," Ms. Brazile said, adding that she thinks the chances that Mrs. Gore will run were 50-50.
A race by Mrs. Gore would, inevitably, be compared to Hillary Rodham Clinton's successful run for the Senate from New York in 2000. The twist is that Mrs. Gore, despite her high profile, never expressed a personal political ambition like Mrs. Clinton.
Mrs. Clinton said she chatted with Mrs. Gore this morning.
"I believe this is something she is seriously considering," Mrs. Clinton said. "And she has a lot to offer. She's very passionate about issues, wants to help children and families have a better life, and I know from our many conversations how much she loves Tennessee."
A campaign by Mrs. Gore would instantly transform the contest in Tennessee into one with colossal national interest. It would also spur questions about the Gores' marital dynamic. Just as people questioned whether Mrs. Clinton ran for Senate to show up her husband, Democrats might wonder whether Mrs. Gore was trying to upstage her husband by winning the state that humiliated him in 2000.
Mrs. Gore cut short a trip to Los Angeles today and returned to Tennessee, where, advisers said, she will meet friends and family and reach a decision this weekend. Representative Bob Clement is widely expected to announce his candidacy for the seat on Monday. The filing deadline is April 4.
The Gores are already said to be on the verge of buying a house in Nashville, and they plan to keep the family farm in Carthage.
Ms. Brazile said a run by Mrs. Gore "would absolutely" help Mr. Gore's presidential prospects. "Al Gore has talked about mending the fence," Ms. Brazile said. "What better way to mend the fence than build a bridge back into the state?"
But if Mrs. Gore ran — and lost — that might end any designs Mr. Gore has on the White House.
"For her to run and lose would certainly constrain his own ambition for the future," said Richard A. Pride, a professor of political science at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. "If she wins, it recoups Tennessee for his column, and that would be a big advantage."
The Republicans' leading candidates are former Gov. Lamar Alexander, a two-time presidential contender, and Representative Ed Bryant.
Many Democratic officials here said Mrs. Gore could possibly peel away Republican support because of her reputation as a fighter for family issues and for her high-profile drive against offensive lyrics in rock music. Since the 2000 campaign, she and Mr. Gore have been writing a book about families.
Mrs. Gore has also been known for her efforts in mental health. She has said she was once treated for clinical depression. She could also amass a large campaign treasury by tapping into her husband's network of donors.
Yet some Democrats question whether Mrs. Gore would have the stamina or interest in a grueling statewide race for the seat that her husband held from 1985 to 1993.
Since 1994, Tennessee has increasingly voted Republican.
The executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Mitch Bainwol, said: "I won't quake in my boots about her. The Gore name, once revered in Tennessee, is now mediocre. If the Democrats want to spend their money down there, they're more than welcome to go down that path."
Jim Jordan, Mr. Bainwol's counterpart for the Democrats, said, "She's a very smart, attractive and talented individual who has an awful lot of friends in Tennessee and across the country."
Johnny Hayes, one of the Gores' closest friends in Tennessee and a leading fund-raiser for Mr. Gore, said Mrs. Gore could be formidable. "Tipper's well liked and well respected," Mr. Hayes said. "She's always been interested in issues and making things better for people in Tennessee."
The Democratic chairman in Tennessee, Bill Farmer, sounded skeptical that Mrs. Gore would run. He said many party leaders had already rallied around Mr. Clement.
"You need to understand that the Clement family goes back to 1952, when his dad ran as a young person for governor and won," Mr. Farmer said. "The name is well known across the state. I haven't talked to Tipper Gore. I don't know what she's doing. I guess we'll see."
Fighter for family issues? Oh, yeah, didn't she just donate $50,000 to a group pushing for gay adoption? That will certainly appeal to Republicans.
And as far as her drive against offensive lyrics---that's ancient history. Tipper gave up that drive long ago as soon as it became clear her husband needed campaign cash from the music industry executives who prosper by selling such filth.
I don't think the voters in Tennessee will appreciate her daughters lecturing us on the virtues of abortion like they did for Al at the national level.
The New York Times and Washington Post will be entralled.
Well she married Al Gore and was a part of the Clinton gang whether you like it or not. Doesn't sound like her sense is all that great to me.
I am very afraid she might be right. There has not been a single reference to Tipper's qualifications or her stand on issues.
It is not enough to be someone's wife. Look at Jean Carnahan. He was the Governor; his wife hasn't got a clue. Ditto Tipper and Al. No matter that I disagree with Gore on nearly every issue, at least he understands the issues and the legislative process. Tipper takes pictures and talks about mental health. This, of course, is a modern-day qualification to be a Senator. Oh - and I forgot - she's blonde.
Isn't that the same criteria for being chairwoman of the PTA fundraiser?
I will give her credit for one bit of good judgment over a lifetime -- when Clinton held his pep rally on impeachment day, and Al Gore praised him as "one of our greatest presidents", Tipper was nowhere in sight.
Since when do the Xlinton/Gores tell the truth about anything? Their friends are no doubt equally trustworthy.
Been there, done that.
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