Let me just add, why should we even put up a candidate against the all mighty MSM, let's just give up and vote republican.
1.5 years form the election and "It’s over folks"
Mr. Soto you need to get a job on the beltway.
Not to make light of Albert Gore III's problems but I see this whole episode as giving Al Gore "an out" to not run. All the pressure people have been putting on him to jump in he can now brush off because the media and the GOP would only focus on his troubled son.
Too bad. The country is gonna be deprived of a truly competent chief executive.
Posted by snark at July 5, 2007 02:17 PMI respectfully disagree.
If Gore's son does the right thing, pleads guilty and goes for rehab, I think this incident loses its capacity to alienate any voters who are otherwise inclined to vote for Gore. This is particularly true for people who attend Democratic Party caucuses and vote in Democratic primaries.
Of course the right-wing noise machine will bring it up, but they have a very long list of things that they bring up about Al Gore and this is only one of them.
Posted by James E. Powell at July 5, 2007 02:21 PMNow I know what the repugs mean when they call Democrats "Surrender Monkeys". At the first sign of trouble we fold our tent.
Posted by Bison at July 5, 2007 02:22 PMThis is no bar to Gore running. With the Ray-gun war on drugs there are very few families who haven't had a relation incarcerated or in the non-"justice system". Gore can turn this into at least a partial referendum on the need to approach drug use and prevention from a stance of sanity.
If a child's behavior is the primary requisite for a candidate to make a run then there is not a single republi-con who is electable, and many in Congress would need to bow out.
Posted by phidipides at July 5, 2007 02:23 PM
Unfortunately, Steve, I agree with your assessment of Gore's prospects 110 percent.
Who knows? Maybe Gore knew his kid was circling the drain already. (Some of those meds he got popped holding were pretty serious stuff.) And maybe that was one of the reasons he's been holding off on any kind of announcement.
Then again, his son is 24. This isn't a child we are talking about here. It may not derail his chances, though it surely won't help.
Of course, on top of all that, Gore never really said he was running now, did he? Maybe he never really wanted to go thru it again.
So, who are we left with? Hillary, Obama and Edwards? I don't know. It feels like we ought to have some better choices, doesn't it?
Posted by Brian Bell at July 5, 2007 02:26 PMYes the Media Machine would endlessly bring up Gore's kid if he declared. But, from what I saw in the 2000 race, the Media Machine would have totally hounded Al anyway. Gore hasn't even been playing coy when asked about his intentions..I don't think he wants the job. I'm not sure he ever did. He won the popular vote and sat still while George, Jeb, Baker and Rove pulled it out from under him. Maybe this will nail the Gore political coffin shut and make those of us who claim to be Democrats get serious about what is confronting us in 08. Gore has served as a great safety net, one which is most likely now gone. What's left is Hillary, Obama and then the second tier, which means we are banking on electing either a woman or an African-American to the presidency, with no other option currently on the table.
Posted by T2 at July 5, 2007 02:27 PMSteve, that was my first thought when I saw the Gore story, and then snark's was my second. It's true that the cocktail weenie crowd are going to blow this up like a $400 haircut, but they'd do it about anything, even a haircut, wouldn't they? I don't really think it would sway voters much a year and a half from now, not after 8 years of Bush's braindead progeny puking in parking lots around the world hardly causing a stir.
You can't blame the guy for not wanting to go through that hell again, though. And obviously, the kid's got problems that need addressing, so it could be a good excuse to say it's over.
Posted by iamcoyote at July 5, 2007 02:34 PMI live in LA, I did not vote for Villaraigosa, I don't even like him but calling him a slug? I read the article you linked too and it sounds like they had a rocky marriage for some time, how do you know that he treated his wife like toilet paper?
It sounds like you have done quite a bit of speculating in this post Mr. Soto. Please point me to the articles that detail his personal relationship with his family so I may see this bad behavior that you are so worked up about.
Thanks
Well, I never thought Gore was going to run anyway, but as soon as I saw these headlines, I figured it was pretty absolute.
Posted by ann at July 5, 2007 02:53 PMBison, we'll agree to disagree on this one. It pains me to say what I said, and I have been a Gore supporter nationally since the '88 race. But I think his son's troubles and how the media will seize any fresh reason to bludgeon Gore with it can't be ignored.
Posted by Steve Soto at July 5, 2007 03:10 PMI had similar thoughts....my first knee jerk reaction was also kiss any chance at the presidency good-bye with that news. But as I have watched and heard some of the news coverage, I have been feeling differently. I almost think it makes Gore more human because of it....he appeared very sincere and compassionately concerned and worried about it as any parent or loved one would be who was dealing with the same thing (and many many families have/are). He said his son was getting help but that it was a personal family and private matter.
I dunno I think the tide may have turned against the Wurlizter a bit. People are sick and tired of the news and presidential/election style political coverage too. I am beginning to believe that people aren't buying into the feigned hypocritical over-the-top outrage (Paris Hilton style non stop stories) and the moralizing the current crop of pundit and political ruling class have waged on the masses. I think more people feel these pundits/politicos are not only hypocritical, but are very out of touch with masses. And many are sick and tired of what they see this group of people try to ram down people's throats and what they consider important and newsworthy these days.(Read David Broder and look at the comment section today for what I am talking about). Many people are turned off by that style of reporting and that type crap especially after what we have endured from corrupt political establishment and insider beltway class for the 6 years.
Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I really think that may be the case. And don't get me wrong, I don't underestimate their influence.
Anyway, I heard Gore said he no longer is in love with politics...can't say I blame him. I really would love it if he ran for president as none of the current crop of candidates has sparked my interest or enthusiasm...yet. Here's to keeping my fingers crossed that he will run, but I won't hold my breath.
And here's to hoping his son gets the help he needs and his family continues to be loving and supportive through this difficult time.
Posted by emal at July 5, 2007 03:23 PMWhile that might be the consensus, there is another opinion I've heard a few people mention today.
http://theoutsidescoop.com/any-statement-on-my-performance-last-night/
Posted by Marc Garrett at July 5, 2007 03:30 PMThis won't effect a Gore run. He's still the man if he announces his candidacy.
Who's rich and famous that doesn't enter rehab now days. I forgot, he's a Democrat's son.
I guess we won't have any worries when Jeb runs, right. Ah, the repuke hypocrisy again.
I do disagree with you Steve on the Mayor. He's been married once, he came out publicly and admitted the issues at hand. I'm sure with the public admission he is willing to fully support his 3 children and wife. Why does the demonizing begin on a private matter?
It's a little different with Rudy, he's done this quite a few times.
Posted by Seven of Six at July 5, 2007 03:39 PMI'd like for Gore's son to read your post, Steve. If there was any chance his father was considering a run, this might be the kind of "between your eyes" wake-up call the little shit needs and he'd clean up his act.
I'd never let this sway me from voting for the man.
Yes Steve, we will have to agree to disagree on this one. I have never conceded defeat without a fight, it's a foreign concept to me. I guess the longer I stay in the Democratic party the easier it will get?
Posted by Bison at July 5, 2007 04:43 PMSorry, Steve, but the ONLY thing Gore should consider in whether he should run is whether running would prevent him from being available to support his son. The son is going to have to do the work himself, but the family will want to be there for moral support. Being President--or Vice President--isn't the kicker, its the campaigning that would be the big hurdle.
Just take a look at the entire field that's running, and how many squeaky clean "perfect" candidates and families do you see? Ginrigh? Giuliani? Clinton? Biden? Thompson? Heh, the time that we could demand purity is long gone. I think the public is pretty innoculated to these kinds of family issues.
Posted by Julie at July 5, 2007 05:22 PMP.S., Steve, there's a kind of covert message in your piece, whether you meant it or not, that implies there's something shameful in having a faimly member with an addiction problem. Don't go there. Al, if you're reading, lean right back in their faces and BITE THE FUCKERS!
Posted by Julie at July 5, 2007 05:37 PMI loved Gore's comment tonight on CNN; on "the politics" involved to run?
I wish he would use this as a running platform. No one wants "Politics" or "Politicians" as usual anymore, the people are tired of it. They want someone with substance, beyond the spin, beyond the bashing. Someone to say, "I refuse too get in a pissing contest over this subject or that subject, these are facts, I will do something about it, take it or leave it."
Any other ideas?
Posted by Seven of Six at July 5, 2007 05:55 PMdisagree because every member of the Bush family has been in trouble for drugs to manslaughter. will anyone use the dirt?
Posted by oldtree at July 5, 2007 06:19 PMAren't the Bush twins, with their illegal and/or highly public drinking, the obvious answer to anyone who tries to paint the Gores as poor parents? It really never crossed my mind that this unfortunate problem with Gore's son would affect his candidacy--although I don't think he ever intended to run.
Posted by Vicki at July 5, 2007 06:31 PMI disagree too, Steve. This isn't the same country it was in 2000, and Gore isn't the same guy. I think he'd be elected in a veritable landslide - who on the other side is more electable? Fred Thompson? If having untroubled children was a criterion for election, John Kerry and John Edwards would be in office today.
Gore has already been elected once; he's been vindicated on every crucial position he was once mocked for; and the country is in such desperate straits that people are crying out for a real leader. I just think it's less likely as time goes on that Gore will pull the trigger, and that's a terrible outcome for the country.
Posted by nyc at July 5, 2007 06:33 PMOMG, I forgot McCain, who dumped the wife who waited all those years that he was in captivity, to marry an heiress.
Posted by Julie at July 5, 2007 06:50 PM"disagree because every member of the Bush family has been in trouble for drugs to manslaughter. will anyone use the dirt?"
Oldtree, you are right. Remember Laura Bush killed her lover, George is an acoholic and drug abuser, Niel was up to his neck in the Savings and Loan scandals, Jebs nanny was killed under mysterious circumstances on his property, and you worry Steve about some Gore's adult son. Jeez!
Posted by Judith at July 5, 2007 07:04 PM
C'mon, this doesn't even meet Bush twins bad behavior or what the squatting Prez & VP have done (never mind that ... and ARE doing.)
The upside here is that any Dem upon meeting any criticism has a stack of Repug bad behavior from two Bush /Cheney admins to challenge Repugs or their media megaphones.
Posted by Ellie at July 5, 2007 07:33 PMSorry if this is an old news item . But there is a theory that Gore will run if he wins the Nobel Prize. (And I doubt he would win the Nobel Prize if he was a candidate for the nomination).
There is a way to minimize the damage during a Gore campaign. Get Gore's son on the campaign trail ,telling his heartfelt tale and working hard for the old man. The press would eat it up.
Posted by Kevin at July 5, 2007 07:48 PMBush I was elected even though he had a ne'er-do-well son so I don't see the problem here....except that Al the dad hasn't jumped into the hot water yet, and may not, dammit.
Posted by Sharon at July 5, 2007 07:53 PMGet Gore's son on the campaign trail ,telling his heartfelt tale and working hard for the old man.
Problem is, Kevin, that the "kid" may have been trying passively/aggressively to screw his dad's chances. Or not. Hard to say.
Posted by Julie at July 5, 2007 07:56 PMI tend to agree.....something is fishy here....what a coincidence?
Posted by Parallax at July 5, 2007 10:01 PMYour point is that you're worried what the MEDIA and the RIGHT WING SPIN MACHINE WILL DO with this story, not that YOU think it means Al Gore is unfit. Just one question: WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN FOR TEN PLUS YEARS? Does the term Swift Boat have any meaning? Do you remember 'Gore says he invented the internet'? They will latch onto anything... anything at all... or MAKE IT UP, in order to trash a Dem (a real Dem, not Hillary... someone who threatens the corporate world order of things).
They haven't gone after Hillary or Obama as ferociously (yet) because Shillary and Obambi aren't a threat to the corporatocracy; and because Hillary is the weakest general election candidate and already has half the country hating her.
So, your conclusion is to... give up? Sounds like it.
Posted by Mister Larry at July 5, 2007 11:55 PMSteve,
I also think you're wrong on this one. As stated above, the media will find any excuse, true or not, to beat up Al Gore. This is actually something the public can relate to and sympathize with.
The arrogant prick John Ridley just criticized Gore on Morning Joe for not "being there" for his son. That shows so little understanding of addiction, relapse, and recovery, that he shouldn't be allowed to comment on national television.
Posted by Susan S at July 6, 2007 04:27 AMSteve, you sexual scold. The ability to lead as a politician is not coupled with the ability never to have a familial problem. Attitudes like yours is what lets the hypocritical rule the world. Shit happens in families and family relationships are difficult. No one can control anybody, including sons, daughters, spouses. You just lost a great deal of my respect today.
Posted by Will at July 6, 2007 05:05 AMAl should run--he will be attacked regardless.
His son should be joking about how he took the Prius up to 100 mph as part of a marketing effort to pitch the Prius and Hybrids as hip, cool, and blazing fast!
Posted by Paul at July 6, 2007 07:43 AM....DISAGREE.....read the headlines of the top newspapers....this story doesn't make the front page and it's only four days old. Coyote is probably right tho', this will give him the out unless a groundswell of support gathers.....imo
Posted by Goyo at July 6, 2007 08:16 AMAll of the comments about giving up are dead on. Plain and simple: Anything to reinforce the wimpy, quitter meme. I love the knee-jerk, "it's over, man!" rhetoric.
Toughen up, Soto. This is a Paris moment, nothing more.
Posted by johnny6644 at July 6, 2007 08:35 AMAl Gore III is just prepping for a future run as a Republican presidential candidate, like Bush and Cheney, who both have DWIs.
Also, Jeb Bush's daughter was caught with crack while the was in court-ordered rehab for fraudulently obtaining a Xanex prescription. She served her time, though: ten days in jail, just like anyone who's caught with crack.
Posted by croatoan at July 6, 2007 08:44 AMI'm curious what Rush Committing Fraud to Obtain Prescription Drugs Limbaugh is saying about this matter.
Posted by Julie at July 6, 2007 09:37 AMAnyone who isn't going to support Gore because of this wasn't going to support him anyway. Right now they need time to take care of first things first. Having said that, I wish the Gore family well through this crises.
Posted by herbal tee at July 6, 2007 12:24 PM