Gore to Endorse Obama Tonight!

Gore to Appear With Obama

By Jeff Zeleny


Former Vice President Al Gore will endorse Barack Obama tonight in Detroit. (Photo: Denis Balibouse/Reters) Updated | 5 p.m. FLINT, Mich. – Former Vice President Al Gore will appear in Detroit tonight for his debut campaign appearance with Senator Barack Obama, extending an endorsement and urging all Democrats to rally behind the party’s fall ticket.

“A few hours from now I will step on stage in Detroit, Michigan to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama,” Mr. Gore said in an e-mail sent to his supporters. “From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States.”

Throughout the long Democratic primary, Mr. Gore talked frequently to Mr. Obama. But tonight’s rally at the Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit marks the first time they will appear together on the same stage. The endorsement was announced – on Mr. Gore’s terms – to supporters on his vast e-mail list. “I’ve never asked members of AlGore.com to contribute to a political campaign before, but this moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action,” Mr. Gore said. He added, “Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action.”

As Mr. Obama talked to workers outside a General Motors plant here, he said the former vice president had been helpful throughout the primaries, lending his ear and his thoughts, but always taking care to stay impartial in the Democratic field of candidates.

“It means a lot obviously,” Mr. Obama said. “We’ve had ongoing conversations about a whole host of issues, a lot of them have revolved around issues of climate change and energy and the environment. He’s provided good political advice.”

Then, he added: “Obviously, he hasn’t been speaking exclusively to me. He obviously spoke to senators Clinton and Edwards and others.”

The decision to stage the appearance in Michigan underscores the importance of the state for Mr. Obama. It was also in Michigan where former Senator John Edwards unveiled his endorsement of Mr. Obama in a surprise setting.

“Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges — including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis,” Mr. Gore said. “Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.”

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/16/gore-to-appear-with-obama/index.html?hp

Something we all expected, but it's still exciting. I think Barack will get a bit of a bump from this.



Trim Bush.

 

Obviously!



Trim Bush.

 

This was the part that impressed me.

The endorsement was announced – on Mr. Gore’s terms – to supporters on his vast e-mail list. “I’ve never asked members of AlGore.com to contribute to a political campaign before, but this moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action,” Mr. Gore said. He added, “Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action.”


Al has a huge data base by now of both political and environmental supporters, who trend, naturally, towards the political party that fights for the environment, under assault these last 7+ years by Bush and company. That could be a very important resource for the Obama campaign, both in active support and in dollar$. I know people are saying, "well, who else would he support?" While that's true, his support could have come without this important resource.


Trim Bush.