The Surprising Reason I am Disappointed in VP Gore
Posted by Raymurgy at 7 Jul 2008, 8:52 PM and is filed under Astonishing Tales,Politics,Democrats,Editorials 
I am not a historian, but I hold a love for country and respect for office that was taught me by my father. In 2000, I said to anyone who would listen (not too many people) that Al Gore's best response the the Florida balloting was to take a page from, of all historical figures, Richard Nixon.
In 1960, JFK won a closely contested election with a couple of strange results in important states. For the stated reason of protecting the nation from the ravages of challenges, Mr Nixon took his lumps, said "You don't have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore" and left the political light.
No second guessing the Missle Crisis. No screaming about the debacle in the Bay of Pigs. He left and allowed the President of the United States to lead the country as he and his party would. Even though his vanquisher was a baby-faced, charming rival with little qualifications but serious connections - a vanquisher that RMN believed himself to be better than, more qualified than and smarter than.
Eight years later, the country need a leader. RMN was able to re-enter the political fray and draw a victory out of a weak field.
If only, if only, Al had the fortitude to allow the 2000 election to not go his way. If only he himself told the press, his party, the country that it was best for the United States to have one President: the declared winner of the election, and that they didn't have Al Gore to kick around anymore. No forcing the Supreme Courts hand, no "HE BETRAYED US" second-guessing; no "WE"RE ALL GONNA DIE" movies or "THE SKY IS FALLING" lecture tours...
He could have been in a position to re-enter political life as the un-shrill, noble, respected statesman that put the interests of the country ahead of his own ambition.
It is easy to casually and blithely *say* such things, I know. Mr Gore resonded to a terrible situation in an honest way, seeking to gain something he worked extremely hard to attain.
That it was never his is a shame.
That he bought into the bitterness and belief that he was robbed is worse.
That he has become a puchline worse than his vanquisher when this country covets a truly seasoned, White House-experienced world leader and statesman to get us through the next years is a tragedy.
I'd feel a thousand times better about November... maybe the Clintons have an August surprise for the convention?
In 1960, JFK won a closely contested election with a couple of strange results in important states. For the stated reason of protecting the nation from the ravages of challenges, Mr Nixon took his lumps, said "You don't have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore" and left the political light.
No second guessing the Missle Crisis. No screaming about the debacle in the Bay of Pigs. He left and allowed the President of the United States to lead the country as he and his party would. Even though his vanquisher was a baby-faced, charming rival with little qualifications but serious connections - a vanquisher that RMN believed himself to be better than, more qualified than and smarter than.
Eight years later, the country need a leader. RMN was able to re-enter the political fray and draw a victory out of a weak field.
If only, if only, Al had the fortitude to allow the 2000 election to not go his way. If only he himself told the press, his party, the country that it was best for the United States to have one President: the declared winner of the election, and that they didn't have Al Gore to kick around anymore. No forcing the Supreme Courts hand, no "HE BETRAYED US" second-guessing; no "WE"RE ALL GONNA DIE" movies or "THE SKY IS FALLING" lecture tours...
He could have been in a position to re-enter political life as the un-shrill, noble, respected statesman that put the interests of the country ahead of his own ambition.
It is easy to casually and blithely *say* such things, I know. Mr Gore resonded to a terrible situation in an honest way, seeking to gain something he worked extremely hard to attain.
That it was never his is a shame.
That he bought into the bitterness and belief that he was robbed is worse.
That he has become a puchline worse than his vanquisher when this country covets a truly seasoned, White House-experienced world leader and statesman to get us through the next years is a tragedy.
I'd feel a thousand times better about November... maybe the Clintons have an August surprise for the convention?
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