Al Gore has officially lost 25-30 lbs. Call it maybe a mid-summer diet or maybe call it a meeting with destiny. OK OK, for all the skeptics let’s put this in perspective. Al Gore as a non-candidate is among the top 3 front runners, depending on which poll you read.

“Gore receives 18% of the vote when included in the list of possible Democratic candidates, however Clinton maintains a sizable lead, and Gore runs neck and neck with Obama for second place.” -Gallup Poll, Aug. 3 2007

If Al ran, he would open with a pair of aces. To Democrats, Gore was right on the war when almost everyone else was wrong, which gives him the inside track to the antiwar vote that will be as crucial in the Democratic primaries of 2008 as it was in 1968 and 1972.

1. Gore opposed the war from the outset. And his endorsement of Howard Dean, much ridiculed when Dean disintegrated weeks later, looks less like a political gaffe now than an act of principle. Clearly, Hillary has a hellish problem with her stand on the war and only Al Gore can look at her in debate and utter the very words: “Mrs. Clinton the most important vote of your political career, and you got it wrong.”

2. Gore has taken out the patent on the global warming issue, and the environmental movement remains a powerful engine of cash and campaign labor inside the Democratic Party.

3. Hillary has slipped in the polls of Democrats as to whom they wish to see nominated. Gore has moved into second in many polls (states like California), and in crucial battle ground states like New Hampshire and Michigan has moved into first place ahead of Hillary.

4. Hillary is too programmed. She has made all the right moves in the Senate to erase her image as a militant feminist, but lacks the platform skills of Bill. She cannot bring to a debate the passion of Gore, who believes deeply in what he stands for, on the war, global warming and the state of democracy, which is very authentic to voters .

5. Her position as front-runner makes her the natural target for the other candidates, while her loss of 11 points and slippage makes her vulnerable. In a head-to-head race, Gore runs stronger than Hillary against republicans. And while Gore has been damaged by his close defeat to Bush and some of his shrill speeches in that campaign, he does not carry as much scar tissue as Hillary.

6. There is a sense among some Democrats that Hillary in her six years in the Senate have not removed the indelible impression of her eight White House years, when Americans concluded she was too polarizing and divisive a figure to lead the nation. That sentiment surfaces in polls.

“As is the case nationally, Clinton gains from being seen as the strongest leader and the most electable contender (among current candidates). But in a state where retail politics can be crucial, she lags far behind her main rivals in voters’ rankings of the most likable candidate.” -Washington Post survey results of likely caucus participants to capture attitudes among a small fraction of Iowa’s population of the active democratic candidates.

Once the general elections begin Al Gore holds a more leverage with swing voters and independents, and you can’t discount that the man got more votes than any presidential nominee in election history… who matches up against such a globally loved personality? Giuliani…? The former mayor of New York vs. The Former Vice President of the United States. Non-issue. Gore will be the next president, if we work together to convince him to run!

Conservative Americans felt the eight-year soap opera had just gone on for too long with Bill Clinton, and a Hillary nomination would revive that sentiment and polarize the conservative swing votes.

Ultimately, Al Gore would defeat Hillary in the primary- though it is debatable with her current lead- you have to factor 2 criteria. (a) Al isn’t campaigning, not spending a dime on running for president. Yet, he is a front runner. What happens when he finally steps up to the podium and speaks about the leadership he intends to bring to the white house? (b) Al Gore spoke out against the war (most divisive issue in the party), and Hillary still stands by her vote.

The Democratic primary candidates is more of a qualifying match – winner faces Al Gore, the champion of the party.

About the blogger:

Mark is a blogging volunteer for California Draft Gore, he lives in West LA. If you are interested in utilizing your talents for historical purposes be like Mark and volunteer to help draft Gore or obtain more info of the California Draft Gore ballot initiative.

Finally, statewide initiatives have started in a handful of smaller states. Today, we are proud to announce the formation of California Draft Gore, a newly formed PAC whose solepurpose is to get Al Gore’s name on the California presidential primary ballot. This is no small undertaking and we do not take it lightly. We need every single Gore supporter to lend a hand and be a part of history. We are organizing in every county and every congressional district in California. We welcome your time and you financial contributions.

There is much to do and little time to do it. The time for action is now. If you have never been involved in anything like this, you are one of us. If you have extensive experience as a campaign volunteer or leader, you are one of us. We represent all walks of life. We come from all across the state. Most of us had never met until we came together for this one cause: to support a man of unequalled qualities and experience. There are so many reasons why Al Gore is right for America.

Time is running out. There are others who we need to reach to help them have their voice be heard. Don’t hesitate. Follow your heart and join in a movement that has grown without a leader leading it, without campaign advisor’s or TV ads. Join a campaign of the people. Commit to these 7 things to convince Al Gore to run for President.

1. Sign up as a volunteer -The California movement needs hundreds of people statewide, if you aren’t in California we can get you to the right people. Just leave us your location and email.
2. Donate to California Draft Gore . We need every penny, every dollar you can contribute- we are a grassroots citizen based organization.
3. Tell five friends to volunteer and / or contribute
4. Comment on blogs, if you are a blogger- blog about Gore for president.
5. Write a letter to your local paper and other local media about our ballot initiative, and if you’re in another state make sure you tell your local media how enthusiastic you would be if a ballot initiative sprung up in your state.
6. Al promotes an informed democracy as the best democracy, turn the channel if more “celebrity fast food” news comes on, and instead inform yourself of the dramatic polling data that shows Al as a front runner without being a candidate or read an Al Gore speech – so you can share information with others. Democracy is building consensus – you are a consensus builder in your community
7. Read Al Gore’s “The Assault on Reason“. Let the man himself tell you how important it is for each of us to take action (or actively participate) “to become a part of a new movement to rekindle the true spirit of America.”

I want More I want Al Gore!

Roy is a California Draft Gore campaign coordinator – he can be reached at Roy@california4gore.org