So there is all this chatter lately about a possible Gore v. Hillary bloodbath over the Democratic nomination -- but what about Gore AND Hillary? Together. For 2008. Running in remarkable tandem to win the whole presidential enchilada.
Yes I know it's a pipe dream. They have all kinds of negative issues and history with each other stemming from the fact that uh, Hillary is jealous maybe that Al distanced himself from everything Bill Clinton more than she did? Really, to be honest I don't know what the issues are -- and I don't care.
I just know that the Republicans don't EVER let the ruffles of the past get in the way of lining up behind the strongest possible ticket. So Al and Hillary: get over it and run together. If ever there was a time to bury the hatchet, now would pretty much be it.
Who gets to be at the top of the ticket? C'mon Clintonistas: be fair, you know it's a slam dunk case for Gore.
Think about it. Gore had the most votes in 2000, was right on the Iraq war, and is the darling of the progressive left. The blogosphere thinks Hillary is an equivocator and will do most anything to stop her. Not very productive. Meanwhile most Democratic insiders are whispering that Hillary can't win and is stuck in the same box as Kerry was on the war -- but they are afraid to say it aloud. Gore, on the other hand, has a serious track record on national security and making the right calls about using America's strength. He has been willing to support wars abroad when it mattered (Bush Gulf War 1) and even volunteered to go to Vietnam when various Republican hawks who are taking too much Viagra were taking deferments.
Yes VP is the booby prize, but there are plenty of Democratic women I know who say America isn't ready for a woman President -- especially Hillary. Becoming the first woman Vice President is still a MAJOR first, so how about it? I can't imagine having a more empathetic President than Al Gore who has been there, done that in serving as a loyal, yet active VP in the 1990s. (That includes two years wasted when maybe a classy Clinton resignation in the summer of 1998 would have cemented a President Gore in place for 2000. Of course, that was Joe Lieberman's last good idea).
In return, I for one, think Al should pledge privately to listen a bit more to Bill about campaign strategy and style than he did in 2000. Because let's not EVER kid ourselves that Al Gore is now Mr. Charisma.
Just so I have insulted everyone involved in this scenario, let me add one more zinger rationale for the political appeal of this ticket. No star on the stump, Hillary as VP would make Al seem even less wooden once the climate movie buzz wears off.
So can Al and Hillary sing kumbaya?
I hope so and I think they need to -- not given the hopeless state of the Democratic party, -- but given the dire state of our nation. Join the call to kumbaya and sign the petition at www.gorehillary08.com
But...I come bearing back up plans.
My deal? I worked proudly for Clinton-Gore 1992 but if Democrats can't put a good foot forward, I am open to a better Ross Perot independent in 2008. If Al-Hill don't get it together, what about Barack Obama going now? Why wait in 08 -- when you can www.baracknow.com -- is a decent question to ask.
For my part, I've written a direct note -- pasted below and at the newly created GoreHillary08 site -- and if you aren't big on this domain name, sorry, it was the best option available. So sign on and add more calls for Kumbaya. We have nothing to lose but losing.
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Dear Al Gore and Hillary Clinton:
I think you two should run together -- and run strong -- for the Democrats in 2008.
Our country can't afford another four years of Republican policies that are bankrupting our nation at home and shaming our reputation and honor abroad. The stain of Abu Ghraib and diminished trust in the American beacon demands our highest calling.
I urge you two to come together as a team to unite the Party and this country around a new set of common sense policies to fight a smarter war on terror and reduce world conflict, restore the American Dream and economic opportunity for all, and take us not left or right but forward. We need you to lead from the heart and the gut to guide us through this era of change.
Count me in for that kind of campaign -- but if you two can't find a way to work together like that, know I'll be shopping around for a third way!