Griper Blade: Looks Like Gore's Out

I've always thought it was kind of weird that in any presidential election cycle, there's some guy waiting in the wings who people hope will jump in the race. Sometimes, they're guys like Fred Thompson, who seems to be dancing around the edges only for the attention (poor Newt Gingrich -- this was the guy he hoped to be this go round). At others, it has been Mario Cuomo, who's name came up because it seemed a logical next step for him . And there are guys like Al Gore -- a former candidate enjoying newfound popularity.

Those of you waiting for Al to announce are likely to be disappointed.

The Caucus (NYT Blog):

There were campaign-style buttons passed around last night at a gathering of former Al Gore donors in Washington, but they did not augur a presidential run by Mr. Gore (to the disappointment of some). "Al Gore Reunion 2007," they read.

Over beer, wine and buffet, about 50 people mingled in the home and backyard of Peter Knight, a close friend, former adviser and fundraiser, of Mr. Gore's. The purpose of the event was to get some of the old gang back together, in essence, to mark the 20th anniversary of Mr. Gore's first run for the presidency in 1987.

There were no rumblings of a Draft Gore movement per se.

"There was a clear belief, among people chatting, that he is not going to be a candidate in 2008 unless something dramatically unusual happens," the stroy quotes one partygoer as saying, "It's too bad, because he would make a great president. But he's happy where he is."

Does it say more about politicians or more about voters that among some twenty candidates who have so far announced, there's a significant portion of voters who's reaction is 'none of the above?'...

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