The only thing that surprises me about Al Gore's endorsement of Barack Obama today is that it took him so long. Obama supporters were hinting that this was in the works way back in November and December. I figured he would come out in February or March (Gore and Hillary Clinton famously did not get along).
I can only assume that either Gore was determined to avoid political controversy after winning the Nobel Prize, or Gore had serious concerns about Obama (such as his openness to expanding our use of coal and nuclear power).
Gore and Obama will appear at a joint rally in Detriot tonight. Obama and John Edwards also did their first joint event in Michigan. Obama wasn't smart enough to get behind a re-vote plan for Michigan this spring, but he is apparently smart enough to realize he goes into the general election in a weak position in that state.
UPDATE: For the video and the liveblog of this event, go here:
http://www.mydd.com/story/2008…
I was very pleased to read that Obama “called out the crowd for booing Clinton during Granholm’s introduction. And he’s now praising her effusively.” Good for him.
Seeing Gore in the news makes me think about what might have been different if he had run for president. I believe Obama would have stayed out if Gore had jumped in. Perhaps Edwards would have been forced to withdraw before the early states voted.
But would Gore have beaten Hillary Clinton? I could argue that one either way. What do you think?
SECOND UPDATE: The e-mail Gore sent out on Monday endorsing Obama is after the jump.
The video of Gore endorsing Obama in Detroit on Monday night can be viewed here:
http://my.BarackObama.com/Gore…
Dear [desmoinesdem],
Make a donation Tonight, I will step on stage in Detroit, Michigan to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama. From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States.
Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges — including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.
This moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action.
That’s why I am asking you to join me in showing your support by making a contribution to this campaign today:
https://donate.barackobama.com…
Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action.
With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country’s most pressing problems.
If you’ve already contributed to this campaign, I ask that you consider making another contribution right now. If you haven’t, please take the next step and own a piece of this campaign today:
https://donate.barackobama.com…
On the issues that matter most, Barack Obama is clearly the right choice to lead our nation.
We have a lot of work to do in the next few months to elect Barack Obama president, and it begins by making a contribution to this campaign today.
Thank you for joining me,
Al Gore
P.S. — Visit AlGore.com to read my journal and learn more about our movement to solve the climate crisis.
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Watch video of Al Gore endorsing Barack Obama at a rally in Detroit, Michigan: