Tipper Gore Won't Run for U.S. Senate

REUTERS ^ | March 17 2002 | REUTERS

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

— WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Tipper Gore, wife of former Vice President Al Gore, said on Sunday she had decided against launching a bid for the U.S. Senate from Tennessee.

"As there is so much important work to be done in Tennessee and across our nation, I have given this possibility serious consideration. It would be such an honor to work for the people of Tennessee. However, I have decided that it is not right for me, right now, to seek to represent them in the United States Senate," Gore said in a statement.

Although she never held public office, Tipper Gore was approached last week by Democratic leaders from Tennessee and urged to run, sources close to the Gores said.

"Over the past week, I have spoken with many Tennesseans, and of course with my family, about the possibility of becoming a candidate for the United States Senate," she said in the statement. "These conversations have been exciting and I have been truly humbled and extremely grateful for the encouragement and enthusiasm of so many good people."

Despite her decision to forego a run for the Senate, Gore added that she would work to elect the eventual Democratic nominee and other Democratic candidates for office.

Republican Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee announced last week that he would not seek reelection, throwing open the competition for what had been considered a safe Republican seat.

Al Gore, the Democratic nominee for president in 2000, ruled out a run for his old seat. He has formed a political action committee to support congressional candidates nationwide but has not said whether he will make another run for president in 2004.

Tennessee has an Aug. 1 primary, but the filing deadline for candidates is April 4. Other Democrats considering a bid for the seat include Reps. Harold Ford Jr., John Tanner and Bob Clement.

For Republicans, former governor and two-time failed presidential candidate Lamar Alexander and Rep. Ed Bryant have announced they will seek the seat.

[Liberal Bob]

Translation nobody wants a fruitcake for senator.

[MadRobotArtist]

Two words, Thank God.

[Lion Den Dan]

Tipper won't have time to run. She is still breaking out of her drug induced stupor and can not yet see the way.

[joyce11111]

A wise decision.

[cardinal4]

Leaving the door wide open for algore.

[Endeavor]

Aw shucks. That would have provided such comic relief.

[KantianBurke]

http://www.haverford.edu/psych/mweingra/bull.jpg

she coudda been a contenda!

[isthisnickcool]

Oh no! Well, I hope she had her camera with her so we can all buy her next book of photos based on this important event in history.

[Clara Lou]

We've been spared.

[Pern]

Translation nobody wants a fruitcake for senator.

I would have used the term 'airhead', but fruitake will do!

[MeekOneGOP]

— WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Tipper Gore, wife of former Vice President Al Gore, said on
Sunday she had decided against launching a bid for the U.S. Senate from Tennessee.

Bummer. . .I was actually hopin' she would. Her against any GOPer would ensure Tennerssee [sic]
is GOP in the bid to take over the Senate again. . .

[TomGuy]

Interpretation: The polls told her she'd suffer a more humiliating defeat than did Al in 2000.

[Uncle George]

"TIPPER CANOE AND SHE WONT RUN TOO"

[Pete53]

Whew....I think we dodged a bullet on this one.

[Cobra64]

She'll be working on washing windows and fixing the plumbing on their rental property, while Al is flipping burgers in his restaurant.

[Consort]

Well, Tipper, you'll still be the Cenitaur from Tennessee to me.

[maro]

"Do you know I invented the hamburger?"

[Cuttnhorse]

I think her goofy husband told her that if she lost, a highly likely scenerio, he would be even more irrelevant than he is now...if possible.

[Consort]

Here's the reaction from Tennessee.