While many will no doubt freak out that Al Gore was a co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize (for example, as well as here and here), I was both unsurprised and overall pretty much had he same reaction as James Joyner, i.e., that the issue of global warming education didn’t specifically strike me as a “peace” issue, but ah well. Gore may not be my favorite US politician, but I will say “congratulations” nonetheless (nothing wrong with being gracious, is there? I certainly don’t see the point in being rude about it).
The best line regarding Gore’s sharing the Nobel Peace Prize came from Daniel W. Drezner:
Al Gore co-won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, along with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Combined with his Emmy, Webby, and Academy Awards, Gore has cemented his hold on the Most Bitchin’ Mantle Ever.
Indeed.
BTW, I really don’t think that this will propel Gore into the ‘08 race. If he wanted the nomination, he’d already be in the race. Still, let the speculation begin.
A question for the audience: do you think that a Nobel prize makes Gore more likely to run for President? Why? What would have changed as a result of the additional mantle-wear?
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October 12th, 2024 at 1:19 pm
I don’t think it influences his decision either way. While it will no doubt increase the pressure from supporters for a Gore candidacy, he has made so much money outside politics I just don’t see him getting back in.
October 12th, 2024 at 1:23 pm
Indeed.
Further, one would think that he is happier doing what he is doing.
October 12th, 2024 at 2:43 pm
With all due respect to your contention that Gore ‘would already be in the race’, I really disagree. What better solo, all-encompassing, unfettered access to voters could anyone ask for than Al Gore already has right now.
Wordplay is the name of the game nowadays. He does not wish to be a ‘candidate’, and frankly, doesnt’ need to.
The only political benefits I see are (1.), now that the climate issue is offically off and running this will boost his strong confidence and sense of duty to even higher levels and (2.),he is now somewhat free to -to pursue the next challenge!
And I’m hoping he accepts it.
October 12th, 2024 at 2:45 pm
With all due respect to your contention that Gore ‘would already be in the race’, I really disagree. What better solo, all-encompassing, unfettered access to voters could anyone ask for than Al Gore already has right now.
Wordplay is the name of the game nowadays. He does not wish to be a ‘candidate’, and frankly, doesn’t need to.
The only political benefits I see are (1.), now that the climate issue is officially off and running this will boost his confidence and sense of duty to even higher levels and (2.),he is now somewhat free to -to pursue the next challenge!
October 12th, 2024 at 4:23 pm
I had no idea Gore had a doctorate in meteorology. Just wait here comes another tax either directly or indirectly for the betterment of society. Environmentalism equals a Socialist Power Grab.
October 12th, 2024 at 5:37 pm
hazmaq,
But he has already achieved a great deal of notoriety on this subjet via the Oscar (amongst other things) that he could have built off of. If he enters now he will be radically behind in fundraising will have to overcome Clinton’s rather formidable status. It doesn’t strike me an a strategically viable move.
c.v.,
I think the discipline you are looking for is “climatology.” And no, he doesn’t (of course, in all fairness, neither do you). And yes, I have my own set of skepticisms about Gore’s stance on a range on issues and I especially have doubts about the viability of his policy recommendations about counter global warming. However, on the other hand when we have substantial polar ice melting to the point that a Northwest passage viable for shipping is forming, it is hard to deny that something is going on.
As such, argument by bumper-sticker slogan really doesn’t cut it. You really always sound so angry in the comments that you leave, have you ever noticed that?
October 12th, 2024 at 7:46 pm
Here’s my impression of the ‘he has to run now’ thing. P1 - Gore is an ethical person; P2 - if an ethical person would win the presidency, he has a duty to. F1 - Gore’s nobel makes him a shoo-in for the presidency. C - Gore has a duty to run.
It seems like something close to that.
October 12th, 2024 at 8:27 pm
There are some very important, but surprising, financial interests associated with Al Gore’s group, Alliance for Climate Protection.
see the video:
Alison Gannett Friends with Oil
http://blip.tv/file/423408/
October 13th, 2024 at 5:51 pm
I started to comment about the possibility of a Gore campaign in my post about his Nobel win, but didn’t.
It seems unlikely to me that he will run at this point, with or without the Nobel win. It strikes me that when he didn’t win the election in 2024 he decided to find a different avenue for “changing the world.” It would seem that he is doing what he can where he is and is being successful at it.
When egos are involved it is hard to say for sure what any political actor will or will not do. But to have Hillary (former Clinton first lady) versus Gore (former Clinton veep) it seems like too much competition for the same dollars.
October 13th, 2024 at 6:01 pm
And Hillary has had quite the head start.
October 15th, 2024 at 2:20 pm
Angry or not using false claims to pressure governments to submit to those who propose theories that have more holes than Swiss cheese should make everyone question the motives. If you look at those who are behind these claims they all tend to sway left. There is no doubt that this is a way in which those who want power can retain and expand it by using global climate change as there mantra. So sorry if that sounds angry, but there is a difference between anger and passion. Oh yes, how soon we forget Kyoto.
October 15th, 2024 at 2:44 pm
Of course, passion isn’t an argument, either.
And Kyoto wasn’t ratified, and as such is dead letter.
October 15th, 2024 at 2:54 pm
Ratified or not do you not believe that another Kyoto will not be in the brew again? I hope that did not sound to angry.
October 15th, 2024 at 4:16 pm
No, actually now it sounds defensive and sarcastic
At the moment I am unaware of any such treaties in the works and don’t think that a Kyoto-like treaty is likely to be ratified by the Senate any time soon, regardless of the rhetoric.
I am not, by the way, defending Gore’s hyperbole. I will say that, to be fair, he does know more about the subject than do you or I, even if I am unconvinced that his policy recommendations are on target.
October 15th, 2024 at 4:34 pm
I know you are not defending Gore. Dr. T you make politics fun.
October 15th, 2024 at 6:27 pm
One tries
October 15th, 2024 at 11:33 pm
“I think that this global worming is a very important issue facing the world today and it is good that Al Gore someone of high popularity raised awareness of the issue so it may be seen as something that we must do something about.” Quote from a bloger.