Posted by Mark Silva at 11:35 am CST
Former Vice President Al Gore may be waiting in the wings of the Democratic Party's primary elections, counting on failed campaigns by frontrunners leading to a draft-Gore campaign for 2008. But, according to the latest Gallup Poll, Gore doesn't have much wind at his back.
"There is little sign of a major boomlet for his candidacy,'' Gallup's Frank Newport reports.
"These are heady times for Al Gore,'' reports Newport, editor in chief of the Gallup Poll. "The former vice president and former presidential candidate recently presented an award at the Grammy Awards, his film, An Inconvenient Truth, has been nominated for an Academy Award, and he has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on global warming.''
Yet one trophy still remains elusive.
"An analysis of recent Gallup Poll data shows little significant change in Gore's standing with the American public despite his recent high visibility,'' Newport reports. "His favorable ratings are roughly the same as they have been over the last five years, and remain relatively lukewarm.
In potential matchups, Gore is tied for third place -- with former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina -- among Democrats as their favorite nominee for '08.
Gore is viewed favorably among 52% of Americans surveyed, and unfavorably among 45%. His rating is up four percentage points from June 2006, Newport notes, but that is not statistically significant. Gore's overall popularity has not changed, statistically speaking, since 2002.
Gore's favorable rating stood above 60% at a number of points during his vice presidency.
And in Democratic trial heats, Gore ranks third among Democrats asked whom they want to have their party's nomination. Both he and Edwards lag "well behind'' Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, "front-runner by a wide-margin'' and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama by a smaller margin.
In the latest February survey, 40 percent of the Democrats polled named Clinton, 21 percent Obama and 14 percent Gore -- while 13 percent named Edwards.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson drew 4 per cent of those surveyed, retired Gen. Wesley Clark, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden and Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd each 1 percent.
Gore has gained slightly in these trial heat rankings since November, when he drew 9 percent of the Democrats surveyed. Edwards also gained ground during this period.
"The conclusions from these data: While Gore is well positioned as a third-choice candidate should both Clinton and Obama falter in the months ahead,'' Newport reports, but "there is little sign of a major boomlet for his candidacy compared with where he has been in recent times. ''
• 
• 
• 
Comments
The best way that Gore can serve the nation is as a Former Vice President. Once anybody starts running for the presidency, principles (if they happen to have them) get locked away in cold storage.
Now he can crusade for the environment. As a candidate or as a Pesident, forget it -- "inconvenient truths" would then be avoided like fresh dog poop on a sidewalk.
Plus, as a former Veep he can enjoy the luxury of getting fat and growing a beard!
Posted by: Leo T | February 16, 2007 12:04 PM
This is yet another Swamp/Silva article on the recent Gallup poll that shows Obama "well behind" Clinton, behind by a "wide margin" (to quote the pollster; the exact margin is 40-21%). But the Obama fan club that is the Swamp has now tried twice to hide these bad (for Obama) results by headlining the NON-candidates Gore and Bill Clinton.
Posted by: bruce | February 16, 2007 12:08 PM
I'd much rather have Obama that H. Clinton, or John Edwards.
..but yes, I really hope Al Gore jumps into the race.
That would be fun!
Posted by: JD | February 16, 2007 12:23 PM
Bruce, I was in a major California city last week and everyone I spoke to at a trade show and at the airport about politics said they knew next to nothing about Obama and would prefer Hillary. Maybe that's regional. I don't know. But it's just my observation.
Posted by: Jeff | February 16, 2007 12:45 PM
I wish Al Gore well in his OTHER pursuits!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | February 16, 2007 1:03 PM
The only two contenders for the Democratic party are Barack & Hillary. It won't be suprising if Barack closes in on Hillary over the coming months because he excites the people who least likely are to vote; young voters, 18-29. There will be more of them voting this time around because of Barack alone & it will work in his favor. No other presidential candidate now or later to announce on either side of the political divide will have that advantage.
By the way. Still haven't heard of anyone picking a strong conservative Republican candidate. Anyone out there willing to go out on a limb?
Or are those inclined to take brainless pot shots at Barack continue to do so? I'd expect better arguments coming from the right.
Posted by: RomanB | February 16, 2007 2:34 PM
Bruce:
Where was Bill Clinton mentioned in the article?? Nowhere that I can find. But I guess when you are a right-wing nutjob like Bruce, you see the name Bill Clinton every place you look - even when it is not there.
Posted by: BobinATL | February 16, 2007 2:45 PM
Bruce:
Where was Bill Clinton mentioned in the article?? Nowhere that I can find. But I guess when you are a right-wing nutjob like Bruce, you see the name Bill Clinton every place you look - even when it is not there.
Posted by: BobinATL | February 16, 2007 2:46 PM
Bruce:
Where was Bill Clinton mentioned in the article?? Nowhere that I can find. But I guess when you are a right-wing nutjob like Bruce, you see the name Bill Clinton every place you look - even when it is not there.
Posted by: BobinATL | February 16, 2007 2:49 PM
"This is yet another Swamp/Silva article on the recent Gallup poll that shows Obama "well behind" Clinton, behind by a "wide margin" (to quote the pollster; the exact margin is 40-21%). But the Obama fan club that is the Swamp has now tried twice to hide these bad (for Obama) results by headlining the NON-candidates Gore and Bill Clinton.
Posted by: bruce | Feb 16, 2007 12:08:18 PM
So we can figure you're not gonna vote for him, huh? How 'bout if we increase Obama's exposure? Would that change your mind?
Posted by: Swamprat | February 16, 2007 4:05 PM
Why would Gore be any less qualified than any candidate from any party?
Posted by: Bubba | February 16, 2007 5:04 PM
Are the Republicans even running anyone for President this time around or are they already waving the white flag because of their inevitable defeat?
Posted by: John E. | February 16, 2007 6:07 PM
Swamp Writers, ten days ago it was "Draft Gore", now it's "No Groundswell" - What is it?
Mr. Gore should do what he does best, keep producing funny movies.
Posted by: Terry | February 16, 2007 8:21 PM
Bruce,I was in a major California city last week and everyone I spoke to at a trade show and the airport said they knew next to nothing about Obama.
Posted by Jeff Feb 16,2007 12:45:27 PM
I can only imagine the kind of people you are hanging out with.
Did you happen to poll everyone that lives in that "major city in California" while you were out there?
Did you poll everyone that was at the Rush Limbaugh Oxycontin Airport in this "major city in California" you were in last week?
Jeff,why is it that of all the congressmen/women who are running for President in 08 John McSurge is the only one who won't leave the campaign trail and show up for work in Washington this Saturday?
Posted by: John E. | February 16, 2007 9:19 PM
Gore should be appointed to head the environmental protection agency.
Posted by: James Reyes | February 17, 2007 2:49 AM
"BobinAtl", if you actually read my posting, you'd note that in my posting I mentioned 2 (two) "Swamp" articles on this poll. Bill Clinton headlined the first article, Gore the second. And while you attend remedial reading class, you might also learn enough computer skills not to post the same response twice.
The poll numbers don't look good for Obama, and in fact look pretty good for the Republicans versus the Dem frontrunners. The possible Obama for president (aka "Swamp") response was to either ignore the poll, as they've done before with polls that don't help St. Barack, or else to write about parts of the poll that don't impact St. Barack. The Swamp chose the latter, focusing on Bill Clinton and now Al Gore.
Posted by: bruce | February 17, 2007 7:53 AM
Neither the lady or the child are electable.She has too much baggage and he has too little experience. Al Gore has won this thing once and can win again. A Gore/Obama ticket can win and give the Dems 16 years in the White House.Why are you blowing taps over Al?He can save he party.
Posted by: c. perry | February 17, 2007 8:45 AM
As his recent achievements show, Al Gore should have stayed true to his environmental beliefs in the 2000 campaign.
I voted for him in the general election because I suspected he cared more about the future (debt, infrastructure, environment, WMD proliferation) than W., and that has turned out to be right. He had a great record, but he ran away from it, and he lost West Virginia anyway.
Better to run with your message and lose with your beliefs. Sometimes you win in the long run by shifting people's minds.
Similarly, Hillary should admit her 1993 health care plan was flawed, but she should not run away from a committment to a univeral health care finance plan at the federal level. Even W. is now prepared to admit the employer-linked plan is not just inequitable but also economically damaging. Obama has come out if favor of dropping it.
Posted by: Cranky Independent | February 17, 2007 9:17 AM
I'm amazed by your lack of regard for Al Gore! He one once, VP eight years, against the war from the beginning, environmentel work! You got be kidding! The public will lose their fascination with Hillary and Obama so who is left? Gore will be getting lots of great press the next 4 months; Oscar, Speaking in front of Congress next month on the Environment, and in May he is coming out with a new book called "Assault on Reason." He is waiting in the wings! He wants to be President, he doesn't want to lose if he runs. There is a lot going on behind the scenes. Gore is constantly asked if he is running and he never says no! He is very funny as he responds to that question but he never say no! Just watch; he is the most experienced brightest person out there and I'm sure he learned a lot from the 2000 race.
Posted by: cliff | February 17, 2007 11:30 AM
Cliff,
Gore being the most experienced, brightest person out there means he doesn't have a ghost of a chance.
Posted by: Muckle John | February 17, 2007 8:56 PM
Cliff: Right on! Tell all your friends. Press your local Dems to rally to Gore. He will be the only Dem. that can be nominated and win the general election.
Posted by: c.perry | February 17, 2007 11:05 PM