Al Gore Versus Hillary Clinton?
1 comment June 3rd, 2007
First there was that “inconvenient” movie, and now it’s the inconvenient book tour. Inconveneient, that is, for Hillary Clinton. So, all this media speculation on Al Gore getting into the 2008 race, how real is it?
To begin with, I think Al Gore believes that Bill Clinton’s behavior as president cost him the presidency in 2000 to George W. Bush. Not without good reason, as I explain in my book, “Hillary Clinton Nude: Naked Ambition, Hillary Clinton And America’s Demise.” Some say that Gore is really enjoying his “re-invented” life, however, I suspect that he would have enjoyed it more as president.
My own belief is that Al Gore would like to get into the race, and would do it to wreck Hillary’s chances, even if he were unsuccessful in gaining the nomination for himself. Therefore, I think he will consider entering the race by the end of the summer if it appears that Hillary Clinton’s campaign is stumbling.
However, if it appears that Hillary is unstoppable, Gore will probably stay out of the race, knowing he would suffer humiliation a second time, and probably far worse the wear this time around, as he knows the political ruthlessness of the Clintons as few others do.
My own estimate is that Hillary Clinton is unlikely to stumble, meaning that Al Gore is unlikely to enter the race. The other scenario is that the former vice president might jump in if Barack Obama stumbles. However, if that occurs, it makes Hillary even more unassailable, and therefore does not provide Gore with the break he wants before deciding to run.
I have long felt that Barack Obama’s candidacy helps more than hurts Hillaryland. He not only marginalizes Hillary’s other opponents, such as John Edwards, but also discourages Al Gore from getting even with the Clintons, as long as Obama is perceived as a serious challenger. What the Clintons know, but few others yet realize, is that a junior senator with barely two years experience in national politics is the best leading opponent for the Democratic nomination that Bill and Hillary could hope and pray for.
