Al Gore on the Comeback Trail: Why conventional wisdom on a second run is wrong. (Al Hunt)

Wall ST Journal ^ | 6-13-02 | Al Hunt

[SJackson]

There's a consensus among political cognoscenti about a 2004 Al Gore presidential run: Republicans relish it, Democrats dread it.

The conventional wisdom probably is wrong. A Gore candidacy -- about an 80% probability at this stage -- is good for the challenging party.

[friendly]

Oh dear God, PLEASE let Al Gore be on the Comeback Trail, please, please, please.....

[Semper Paratus]

there still would be a heavyweight field, including Sen. John Kerry, probably Rep. Gephardt and possibly Bill Bradley

Reading that I came dangerously close to a massive coffee spit on my keyboard.

[Commiewatcher]

Al Hunt must = 'projectile barf alert' these days.

Works for me.

[Wphile]

If Bush's approval rating is still high in 2004 (and who knows what it will be), they will send up Gore as the sacrificial lamb. No point in wasting perceived talent on a losing campaign. But, as Al Hunt (who I cannot stand) points out, Gore is politically tone deaf and would be stupid enough to go up against a popular president.

I sure hope it plays out this way. But first, we have to TAKE BACK THE SENATE!!!

[Retiredforever]

"Also up for reelection in two years is Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle. The political right has waged a vitriolic campaign against the South Dakotan and his wife; this hasn't dented his popularity at home but has offended him personally. Some supporters who've spoken with him recently suspect he may forego both a presidential and a Senate reelection race in 2004, bowing out of politics. That would be a double disaster, losing a valuable public servant and a victory for practitioners of personal vilification."

Daschle's dropping out of politics would be a great blessing for our country!

[Henchster]

Al Hunt proves that he knows absolutely nothing about politics, and is simply a liberal mouthpiece for DemonRat propaganda. Here are some tasty exerts:

Mr. Gore is highly popular with Democrats, many of whom feel he really won the last presidential election (he got more votes),....still feel passionately about the split Supreme Court ruling which settled the 2000 election.

They just can't get over it, and always make it sound like Repubs tried to steal the election, when it was Dems trying their vote-fraud best.

With Sept. 11 now a part of the landscape, they note, a requisite threshold is the experience and maturity to be commander-in-chief; Mr. Gore is one of the few Democratic possibilities who easily passes that test.....Moreover, unlike his rivals, Mr. Gore is seasoned in national campaigns, an incalculable advantage.

Yep, a seasoned three-time loser when running for President. Experience as CIC? Is Hunt on dope? Can ANYONE imagine the mess we'd be in now with Gore at the helm?

...criticisms of Mr. Bush in the last campaign -- that he would squander the nation's prosperity and budget surpluses with irresponsible tax cuts, and ignore environmental and health care needs

Too late, the Clinton-Gore admin already squandered the nation's properity over the last eight years on irresponsible tax increases and failed programs like "midnight basketball."

Many of the party's big financial contributors are down on the former vice president. "They see him as a loser," notes one prominent Democratic leader.

Earth to Al Hunt. Find this guy, take him out to dinner, and listen to what he says. You'll end the evening with more useful political knowledge than you ever had.

Some supporters who've spoken with him (DascHOLE) recently suspect he may forego both a presidential and a Senate reelection race in 2004, bowing out of politics.

Oh, be still my heart!

[jackbill]

at a Cambridge commencement ceremony Sunday, Al Gore "for nearly 25 minutes . . . kept the audience laughing." You probably had to be there.

Thanks, Al, but I'm rather happy that I wasn't there.

[Charles of Newark]

Two of the more attractive candidates are Connecticut's senators, but Joe Lieberman has said he won't run if Al Gore, who tapped him for the ticket last time, does, and most experts doubt that Chris Dodd will either.

This is TOO funny--I MIGHT concede that Loserman is attractive to SOME segment of the electorate but WHO is Chris (One-half-of- the-Sandwich) Dodd attractive to?

Also up for reelection in two years is Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle. The political right has waged a vitriolic campaign against the South Dakotan and his wife; this hasn't dented his popularity at home but has offended him personally. Some supporters who've spoken with him recently suspect he may forego both a presidential and a Senate reelection race in 2004, bowing out of politics. That would be a double disaster, losing a valuable public servant and a victory for practitioners of personal vilification.

Oh, I feel SO bad for Tommy--HE'S PERSONALLY OFFENDED! And not only that, he is even considering "bowing out of politics." To use the John Wayne line from The Searchers, "That'll be the day."

And what a "disaster" this would be--losing a "valuable public servant" like Lil Tommy (who probably needed to read the cover story in Star some years ago, entitled "MIRACLE SHOES WORN BY POPE CURE SHORT PEOPLE"). But it's a DOUBLE "disaster"--because those mean-spirited right wingers would have a victory. The more I think about this column I suspect it was written by someone even smarmier than Al Hunt . . . . this has Tommy Olephant's prints all over it.

[TLBSHOW]

Gore with clinton was a do nothing that let 911 happen.

[Semper Paratus]

Al Gore "for nearly 25 minutes . . . kept the audience laughing."

They thought they were watching the SNL comedian doing a parody.

[Wright is right!]

"Oh dear God, PLEASE let Al Gore be on the Comeback Trail, please, please, please....."

Yup, it's Br'er Rabbit vs. Br'er Fox and the briar patch all over again. As someone else pointed out, IF Dubya's popularity ratings hold even in the mid-to-high 60's by 2004, Algore (who's now a caricature of himself - i.e., he's funnier than SNL's parody of him) will indeed be the ritual mutton. Better to go ahead with the coup de grace now and let someone else have a crack out of it in 2008.

Al DID have one interesting nugget - Edwards of NC not taking the bait and, instead, going for a repeat in the Senate. It's actually the safer move. He's young enough to wait out the Presidential Sweepstakes, and he would have a fair shot at reelection. But I don't see Edwards taking anyone's Number Two. That would be political death. Especially when you consider who he'd be Number Two TO - Liebermann? Gore? Dip Geckhardt? Oh, please.

You've got to understand where Al Hunt is coming from. He and Judy aren't that young any more - and although both are paid well, the DNC "takes care of them" in innumerable hidden ways - and Al isn't about to buck THAT gravy train.

Michael

[1Old Pro]

. Two of the more attractive candidates are Connecticut's senators, but Joe Lieberman has said he won't run if Al Gore, who tapped him for the ticket last time, does, and most experts doubt that Chris Dodd will either.

If these two are "attractive candidates" I'd hate to see their bench. This article is nothing more than Al Hunt trying to be relevant. Unfortunately, re-writing algor's notes to him on what a good article would be is not useful journalism.

Al Hunt would be better served by coming out of the closet and signing on as Dem press secretary.

[Wright is right!]

Another sucker for Dubya's Underestimation Game:

"Bush needs to achieve something solid in this so called war, but he doesn't even to have the slightest notion on what or how."

Just because Bush has not personally sent YOU a memo with all the exact details of what he plans to do as CINC in this war, don't assume that he doesn't know what to do. If you make that fatal assumption, you'll fall by the wayside as countless others have done in underestimating this President.

Stand. Watch. Listen. You might learn something.

Michael

[steve-b]

Al Gore "for nearly 25 minutes . . . kept the audience laughing."

But they weren't laughing with him, they were laughing at him.

[Walkingfeather]

I don't agree. Gore lacks the blood pressure to run .... Which is the ability to raise money. No one wants to back a loser. Clinton is their best fund raiser right now and he will not allow gore to get any of that money. No money no Run. Clinton believes that Gore blew the election thus his legacy. If he wants a thow away candidate Hillary will run knowing she won't win but to " get her message out and then come in on 2008.

[upchuck]

Gore loyalists believe that he, while not a Clinton, brings considerable strengths to any contest. With Sept. 11 now a part of the landscape, they note, a requisite threshold is the experience and maturity to be commander-in-chief; Mr. Gore is one of the few Democratic possibilities who easily passes that test.

I truly shudder to think where we would be if albore had won in 2000. I firmly believe it was preordained by God that Dubya is president during this trying time. If I had to choose a DemonRAT to be CIC at this time, mr bore would be somewhere near last on my list.

Also up for reelection in two years is Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle. The political right has waged a vitriolic campaign against the South Dakotan and his wife; this hasn't dented his popularity at home but has offended him personally. Some supporters who've spoken with him recently suspect he may forego both a presidential and a Senate reelection race in 2004, bowing out of politics. That would be a double disaster, losing a valuable public servant and a victory for practitioners of personal vilification.

First, regarding L'il Tommy Dasshole being 'personally offended,' Hey Tommy, this is national politics. You're Plurality Leader of the United States Senate; grow some skin.

Second, on the possibility he'll leave politics, two thoughts: Can't happen soon enough and that will truly be a blessed day for America.

Finally, there is this: albore, like THE SCUMBAG, is a habitual liar. Wasn't eight years of that enough? Look at the havoc that was wreaked. The tip of the iceberg is just beginning to take shape.

[Wright is right!]

"Al Hunt would be better served by coming out of the closet and signing on as Dem press secretary."

Al and Judy get some very sweet perks from the DNC for being right where they are. It's truly amazing how a high-profile couple's living expenses can somehow magically dwindle to almost nothing if they are liked by the DNC.

Michael