On The Continuing Gore Speculation
Having a discussion with one of our contributors about the Gore speculation, he stated, “Seriously, if Gore is the “savior” nominee then I’m going to assume that the Democratic Party is dead.” Now why would this be the case? Gore has a much different place in the Democratic party than most failed nominees. First he actually won the popular vote by half a million votes in the 2000 election. He has the bone fides on the environment and has inroads into the youth of the party and progressives. He was solidly against the Iraq war when weak politicians like Hillary Clinton where towing the Bush line. He is untouched by the internecine squabbling between her and Obama, and the fundraising apparatus of the party is raising at a level that dwarfs old man McCain’s operation.
Now I personally am not advocating this outcome, only saying that it is a real and advantageous possibility. The Democratic Party would be far from dead. All of this being said the doom and gloom about this primary fight damaging the party is a bit overblown as well. Recent history has had abbreviated primary seasons, so the conventional wisdom does not look back at history as a guide. The political silly season may be giving rise to the Gore rumors, but the damaged candidate talk goes only as far as McCain’s next senior moment.
Loading ...
It was basically a joke, in spite of that misused “seriously.” However, I do think Gore’s nomination would be a very bad thing for Democrats down the line. Clinton was a popular triangulator who after a few early ideological setbacks centered himself. That was partially due to necessity, but he wouldn’t have given into that necessity had he not been without ideological principles.
Gore on the other hand is a crusader for eco-statism, and not a very charismatic one at that. He’s fanatically devoted to it, and has even propagandized about it. He represents the absolute worst tendencies of mainstream environmentalism. Assuming a majority of the population would be willing to go along with him for the election, his policies would damage the newly formed Democrat majority more than even Bush’s missteps hurt Republicans. I’m not saying they’d be dead, but this majority would be gone two years into Gore’s first term.