Al Gore: Waiting In The Wings?

(CBS)  Al Gore could not be clearer.

"I don't plan to run," he said on The Daily Show, a phrase he has repeated several times.

But diehard fans are unconvinced, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker.

"Al Gore is the most qualified," said Adam Belanoff.

Belanoff joined the Los Angeles chapter of "draftgore.com," a nationwide group pushing the seemingly impossible: to get former Vice President Al Gore to run for president — again.

"If enough people out there say 'Run Al, we believe you,' I think he'll throw his hat in the ring," said Heather Allyn, a Draft Gore member.

Their Web site boasts 70,000 signatures on its Draft Gore petition.

The L.A. group meets once a month at an outdoor market. While others dine, they strategize.

"We need to be a fast response type of campaign," Patrick McGovern told Whitaker.

"I'm not convinced by any of the other candidates by a mile," said Derek Bevil, another Draft Gore member.

Eighty-four year old Hilda Rolfe's first vote was for FDR, when the country was at war.

"Right now I feel the same way, that this country is in terrible trouble," said Rolfe.

When Al Gore says he doesn't plan to run, the folks at draftgore.com say that's not the same as saying he definitely won't run. Plans change, and with 18 months until Election Day, he still has time to change his mind.

"In a way he's a cult figure," Josh Kraushaar of politico.com tells Whitaker. "He wouldn't have any trouble raising money immediately if he decided to jump into the race."

That's a big change from the days when he was mocked as a boring fanatic.

"You know why I call him ozone man?" asked the first President George Bush years ago.

Now he's the star of an Oscar-winning documentary on global warming, "An Inconvenient Truth." He's so hot he's cheered on one of the coolest shows on TV. Here's a recent exchange between Mr. Gore and Daily Show host Jon Stewart:

JS: "Al Gore walks into a Hollywood movie producer's office and says I've got an idea for a film combining the mainstream appeal of climate science with the non-stop action of Al Gore giving a lecture."

AG: "You forgot the slide show."

Gore says his movie was a hit because the time was right. Draftgore.com says the time couldn't be better for Al Gore to run for president.

[sfmcgraw]

I voted for VP Al Gore last time when he won the election by popular vote and was denied his rightful place. I would vote for him again today.
A true statesman, a renaissance man, he is clearly capable and astute. His talents should not be wasted as a leader who can effect change. Our country and our planet require a person with knowledge and understanding of what the future holds for the inhabitants and a plan to globally unite to prevent a much larger disaster: annilhilation of all living species. This is the perfect time for Mr. Gore to step forward again and serve his country. I cast my vote for Mr. Gore today!

[eert7]

I am really quite fascinated by the push for Gore and heartened that there is a real interest in Gore as a serious candidate. I watched with interest the short on the CBS morning news. Young people are convinced that this is the person who can bring them into the future. Perhaps they are right. After all he predicted the importance of the internet, he told us what would happen if we went into Iraq and well --then there is the environment. If one follows what he has said it is quite prophetic really -- or perhaps he is simply a very intelligent person, which - when one thinks about it,is such a shock when useing such a word in describing a politician.
I'm not sure where I am right now but more power to the LA group who are taking a stand and working hard to make a difference. I'll keep watching. Best of luck to them. Al, are you listening?

[jimjess1]

We want you to run for President of our United States and lead us to the best possible way to STOP Global Warming and to Peace on Earth

[jimjess1]

We want you to run for President of our United States and lead us to the best possible way to STOP Global Warming and to Peace on Earth

[jimjess1]

We want you to run for President of our United States and lead us to the best possible way to STOP Global Warming and to Peace on Earth

[donabbott1]

In these times of radical and in the case of the "master" in the white house who knows all, does all and won't stop until all of our familys are doomed you "NEED TO RUN NOW!"
Don Abbott, Malden, MA 02148

[crashdown424]

No matter what your political slant, you have to admire those that are taking a stand for what they believe in. Those at draftgore.com are teaching the rest of us democrats a lesson, if you want something bad enough you have to push for it. Perhaps they are tired of watching all the other candidates run against the current administration. Perhaps they understand that there are more important issues out there other than the Iraq war (yes thats right there are!). I applaud the indivividuals at draftgore.com.

[jz4gore]

RUN AL RUN!!! Al Gore is a great man... and is destined to be a great president. Intelligent, experienced, respected worldwide, this is the leader America needs to bring back her stature in the world. YES, AL GORE SHOULD BE PRESIDENT.

[nodramew]

Only Fools will argue with the (Evil Doers) devil., Devil gets destroyed and sent to hell . End of the discussion..

[gunnerv1]

rsfwolf: Thank You!