Don't run, Al. Don't! (Camille Paglia tries to warn dems)

Salon ^ | June 13, 2007 | Camille Paglia

[tlb]

The Gore boomlet betrays subterranean tremors of doubt. After two major televised debates by both parties, only a Pollyanna on helium would believe that any of the top-tier Democrats will definitely be able to defeat a leading Republican like Mitt Romney or Rudy Giuliani.

What was surfacing in Hillary was the old family psychodrama of the bright, brittle, high-achieving daughter contemptuously outflanking her befuddled, resentful, mediocre brothers at the dinner table. It wasn't a pleasant sight -- and all too reminiscent of the bullying Rosie O'Donnell compulsively hogging the spotlight on "The View."

The second Republican debate, in contrast, overflowed with spontaneous energy.

I continue to be alarmed at what I perceive as Republican momentum toward next year's national election. Democrats are already acquiring a dismaying reputation for underestimating the threat of global terrorism.

When Joe Biden tried to break out of captivity by boldly addressing the live audience, Hillary tried to match him by instantly raising her voice and keeping it at that abrasive level.

Nevertheless, Hillary's abundant negatives don't make a Gore candidacy any more attractive. Gore is a mass of frustrated yearnings and self-defeating vacillation.

What exactly were Gore's achievements in his eight years as vice president? What steps did he take at the time to shape public policy on global warming? What did the Clinton administration do to win U.S. adoption of the Kyoto accords? (Answer: next to nothing.)

Democrats who long for his return as the anti-Hillary may not realize how Gore has become a risible cartoon character for much of the country at large.

[no dems]

Bloomberg/Gore ticket would get a lot of votes. Bloomberg has no appeal outside of the leftist NYC area, but Gore could do damage nationwide.

Don't kid yourself. Bloomberg is willing to spend $1 Billion of his own money on a Presidential run. That can buy a lot of appeal outside of NYC.

Oh, how I would love to see Bloomberg/Gore on a third party ticket.

[GOPJ]

What was surfacing in Hillary was the old family psychodrama of the bright, brittle, high-achieving daughter contemptuously outflanking her befuddled, resentful, mediocre brothers at the dinner table. It wasn't a pleasant sight -- and all too reminiscent of the bullying Rosie O'Donnell compulsively hogging the spotlight on "The View."

Wow! Paglia "gets" Hillary!