David Ortez

Earlier today it was acknowledged that Obama would consider Al Gore to join his cabinet if Gore wished to entertain such situation. Obama claims, "I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this [climate change] problem."

He adds that he "regularly" consults with Gore about climate change issues. When prompted on who Gore would endorse for the 2008 Democratic Primary Election, he noted that he’s, "tryin’ to stay out of it."

This is intresting noting what I speculated earlier this week about Gore’s role in this primary and who he most likely would endorse if he could. I stated that Gore is a closet Obama-Supporter who will not endorse Obama until he gains the nomination. The dillemma for Gore is that he does not want to slap the Clinton Campaign in the face by not supporting her. So instead of openly insulting the Clintons’ and their relationship he will remain neutral until there is nominated candidate. I argue though that Gore’s position in remaining neutral in this situation implies that he supports Obama because there is no reason why he would not endorse Clinton unless . . . he really did not want to endorse her over Obama, at least just yet.

I have been entertaining this idea for a while now and I feel that I am correct in speculating that Gore is a closet-Obama supporter (not that it is a bad thing) and I shall explain.

Most high profile Democrats have publicly declared who they are endorsing. Those that have waited ended up endorsing Obama which in itself does not warrant that Gore is leaning to Obama but hear my case out. There is no reason why Gore should not have already endorsed Clinton by now.

Gore may publicly excuse himself but deep down he knows that he supports Obama but in order to respect Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, he will not disclose his support publicly until after and if Obama secures the nomination. You see . . . Gore spent 8 quality years with the Clinton’s
and they had no trouble supporting him when he made his run back in 2000 and I don’t mean the primary. Gore understands how the media will spin his endorsement for Obama and understands that it can be detrimental to Hillary’s campaign if the former Vice President of the United States does not endorse the former President’s wife.

One should entertain that a direct endorsement or lack thereof by Gore should be seen as support for Obama. Gore is attempting to remain neutral but it is that neutrality that screams "I want to endorse Obama but I can’t" to me.

Why hasn’t Gore endorsed Obama yet? Because, like I speculate he understands the firestorm it may create within the party. Heck, the way the media handled the Richardson situation should have traumatized him. I will go out on a limb and claim that Edwards is playing it safe for that reason as well. I imagine that Richardson secured a cabinet post before the public announcement and that is why he went public. Gore does not have such future aspirations in my opinion. He is currently wrapped up in his own personal projects that public life in the political spectrum is not a priority.

Gore, may have the privilege of delivering the coup de grâce to the second place candidate come June, which I see being Clinton the way the primary is playing out. I have said only 1 other time, I voted for Clinton here in Texas but I am a realist at the same time and to ignore the 100+ deficit when it comes to the delegate count is not optimism. Nonetheless, I understand the predicament that Gore faces and it makes perfect sense why he has been low key this primary season.