Comeback is futile for Gore

Daily Utah Chronical (U Utah) ^ | 4/15/02 | James Seaman

[NorCoGOP]

SALT LAKE CITY -- On Saturday, the most unlucky man in America returned to the place where his dreams died a year and a half ago. Clean shaven and sharp-tongued, Al Gore traveled to Florida to address the state Democratic Party convention and face the demons still haunting him.

This weekend seemed like an exercise in testing the political water, an unfortunate thought for those who don't wish to see Gore's heart broken again in 2004.

Florida, you'll recall, kept the 2000 presidential election hanging in the balance for weeks before George W. Bush's 537-vote margin finally became official.

Gore returned there on Saturday, taking numerous verbal swipes at the sitting president, calling the GOP "the pirates of Enron." In his first major speech since conceding the 2000 election, the former vice president revealed nothing about his future political ambitions. Instead, Gore's address served as a party building tool, aimed at rallying Florida Democrats for their 2002 gubernatorial contest.

Beneath the surface, however, Saturday's appearance had significant personal implications for Gore. The convention aimed to mobilize Democrats in Florida as they attempt to oust sitting Governor Jeb Bush, the brother of Gore's tormentor. This thirst for vengeance remains one of the oldest and most treacherous human impulses, yet it cannot heal Gore's political wounds.

More important than revenge against George W's kid brother, though, Gore's presence fueled speculation that he intends to claim the job he still covets.

Gore appeared in Florida with other Democratic presidential hopefuls. But despite his heart-wrenching defeat in 2000, Gore remains a more formidable opponent than any of his in-party rivals. The former Democratic presidential nominee possesses valuable campaign experience as well as a vast fundraising network. Even more crucial, Gore has the loyalty of a core of Democratic supporters who believe Bush stole the 2000 election. These people would walk through fire if Gore asked them. And in a party primary with numerous Democratic candidates, this gives Gore a significant head start.

Yet in truth, no one really wants to see Al Gore run because even the most twisted sadists don't have the heart to seem him lose again. Many, including myself, would like to see him win. But in the end, no sane person believes Gore can prevail. His die-hard supporters may go to their graves defending the Tennessee native, yet at some level they must know they cannot save the man from a fate of tragic disappointment.

In 2000, the vice president enjoyed the power of an incumbent office, as well as the bullish economic legacy of the Clinton administration. Gore's opponent bumbled and misspoke his way through a painfully inarticulate campaign, presenting himself as an oblivious and overpriced dolt. When the dust settled, however, Gore found himself standing in the loneliest place in America, with no recourse but to hopelessly wail and grind his teeth.

Fast forward to the present, and President Bush enjoys a thoroughly transformed image. A clear majority of Americans now stand behind Bush, despite the president's continuing struggle against the English language. All the advantages Gore carried in 2000 vanished as September's tragedy forged a new leader in the White House.

In truth, no Democrat has a chance of unseating Bush in 2004, despite what the left's hopefuls claim. Even as they try to define differences between themselves and Bush in domestic policy, Democrats can't deny the contemporary current of national unity.

Some suggest that George W. may follow his father's ill fated path, relying on the popular support of a military campaign while neglecting the economy. Those people apparently lack the perspective to realize that Sept. 11 left a far greater impact than the Persian Gulf War or anything else before it. Comparing the current President's popularity to his father's 90 percent Gulf War approval rate-or to anything else-makes no sense because the events we witnessed have no precedent.

The current economic slump doesn't present nearly enough concern to jar Americans from their national security mindset. No issue the Democrats focus on, from economics to health care, will prevent Bush from repeating. No challenger, regardless of how strong, can keep Bush out of the White House. So why nominate Gore and wish an even crueler fate on the man who suffered the disappointment of the narrowest presidential loss ever?

Gore can't win, so Democrats should save the man from himself. The image of the former vice president after his 2000 defeat remains one of the saddest in recent political memory. Gore fought the good fight and gave a gracious concession after the Supreme Court essentially decided the election. But anyone who has followed Gore's political career knows how deeply the wounds must have cut. The dream he spent a lifetime chasing nearly came true, only to be ripped away at the last moment. The thought of Gore re-entering the political fray conjures images of Rocky Balboa entering the ring to preserve his honor and dignity, only to face the inevitable pummeling. Such a fate does not befit a man like Gore, who served his country well.

Democrats should spare political on-lookers the heartache of watching Gore's spirit broken again. Democrats should concede the 2004 election like Republicans did in 1996 when they put up Bob Dole. The Senator from Kansas gave a lifetime of service to his party and his country, but he made a lousy presidential candidate. So the Republicans "rewarded" Dole for his years of work by nominating him to give the party's concession speech in November.

The GOP knew that no one would beat Clinton in 1996. Democrats must recognize Bush's invincibility in 2004. They should nominate someone like Tom Daschle from South Dakota, a long-time party stalwart who could never win a presidential election. Why risk the possibility that Daschle might crash the party in 2008? Nominate him for the coming contest and get him out of the way so a true contender like North Carolina's John Edwards can rise after Bush's two terms expire.

Conceding an election doesn't mean not trying. It means picking your battles and living to fight another day. Meanwhile, fighters as stubborn as Al Gore simply need to be told when their best days have passed them by.

[PGalt]

Gore in 4. It has a rhyme to it. The anti-reverend likes rhymes.

[summer]

"This is AlGore2004...
requesting clearance for take-off!"

Credit: animation by Fintan, caption by Jeff Chandler

[weegee]

Of course they could try to bring back Jimmy Carter...

[weegee]

I thought from the way the votes went, the portion of Florida in that picture was not Gore country (which was a part of the problem with CBS et al declaring a Gore victory in Florida before those panhandle polls were closed (convincing some voters to stay home)).

[summer]

See post #42. :)

[Dan Day]

Gore's opponent bumbled and misspoke his way through a painfully inarticulate campaign, presenting himself as an oblivious and overpriced dolt.

The liberals have *really* got to stop believing their own propaganda.

[weegee]

Algore Jr. is young enough that he could run as a perpetual loser for years to come. Witness the dynasty:

1892 Democrat ticket: Grover Cleveland/Adlai Stevenson WON
1896 Democrat ticket: William Bryan/Arthur Sewall(Thomas Watson) LOST
1900 Democrat ticket: William Bryan/Adlai Stevenson LOST
1908 Democrat ticket: William Bryan/John Kern LOST
1924 Democrat ticket: John Davis/Charles Bryan LOST
1952 Democrat ticket: Adlai Stevenson II/John Sparkman LOST
1956 Democrat ticket: Adlai Stevenson II/Estes Kefauver LOST
1992 Democrat ticket: William Clinton/Albert Gore Jr. WON
1996 Democrat ticket: William Clinton/Albert Gore Jr. WON
2000 Democrat ticket: Albert Gore Jr./Joseph Lieberman LOST

A bunch of perpetual candidates in this list. Charles Bryan was the brother of perpetual presidential loser William Jennings Bryan (who also lost his fight against Darwinism in the 1920s). Two of the perpetual candidates held the office of VP; Adlai never got the presidency although his namesake grandson did get the nomination. Adlai II's VP runing mate Estes Kefauver left fellow Tennessee senator Albert Gore Sr. in the dust (both tried to get the party nomination for president) thus passing the loser baton to another generation...

I've been familiar with these names for some time, but 2 websites helped in the fact checking/research for this post:

Atlas of United States Presidential Elections

Grolier's Encyclopedia of Presidents (They Would Be President)

[weegee]

GO LIE

more than meets the eye...

[Vis Numar]

The current economic slump doesn't present nearly enough concern to jar Americans from their national security mindset. No issue the Democrats focus on, from economics to health care, will prevent Bush from repeating. No challenger, regardless of how strong, can keep Bush out of the White House.

Hmm, anyone think this guy might be a little bit ahead of himself?

Don't be fooled. 2004 will be a fight, close down to the marrow.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

Well uhhhhhhhhhh duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh

[Imal]

It wouldn't be such a big deal of Mr. Gore didn't take himself so seriously.

And for the record, the Supreme Court didn't decide the election, the Electoral College did. The Supreme Court simply ruled that the law, as written and in effect at the time of the election, must be obeyed. Hardly the "constitutional crisis" it was billed as being.

Imal

[concerned about politics]

You can tell that paragraph was written by a brain dead liberal. They just don't get it. Conservatism is WAY over their heads.

[concerned about politics]

PS...Gore lost. They just don't understand the English language that well. You have to show democrats pretty pictures to help them understand. Pictures with ponies, flowers and little butterflies.

[Jorge]

Lieberman might have a chance. He could whine the terrorists into committing suicide in the comfort of their own homes.

LOL

[Incorrigible]

[F16Fighter]

Fagetabout the "suitcoat". Gore should have worn a "Guinea-Tee" and merely let the 2 quarts of toxic sweat ooze from his porous armpits to stream down into his already saturated, stretched out boxer shorts.

[ladyinred]

Gore might have been clean shaven, but his arm pits were dripping like the Atlantic ocean! Someone needs to tell this man about deodorant. He is dangerous to the ozone layer if you ask me!

[steve-b]

Yet in truth, no one really wants to see Al Gore run because even the most twisted sadists don't have the heart to seem him lose again.

I have the heart (right in a jar on my desk) to see him lose again.

[HHFi]

So the staunchest Gore supporters would walk through fire for him, eh? Now, THAT I'd like to see!

I'll even provide the lighter fluid.

[concerned about politics]

So the staunchest Gore supporters would walk through fire for him, eh?

Someday, none of them will have a "choice" but to walk through fire. Lots of it. For all eternity.