Al Gore Still Leaving Presidential Door Open a Crack

Photo: Steffen Schmidt / KEYSTONE

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In an interview with Time, Al Gore reiterated his statement that he has no intention to run for U.S. president. But he did open the door a crack:

"I have seen firsthand during eight years as Vice President the other prerequisites for the kind of galvanizing response that is needed. I believe this is the rare crisis that requires a fundamental shift in public opinion at the grass-roots level to embolden members of the Legislative Branch to take action. If I felt the best use of my talents was to pursue these solutions by becoming a candidate for President, I would do that. I have not completely ruled out the possibility that at some point in the future, I would do that. But I don't expect to. What feels right to me is to wage this different sort of campaign.

Gore also acknowledged, as a recent poll did, that global warming, along with energy and environmental issues more generally, is still far, far down the list of issues on the minds of voters. But, he sees momentum building, as we all do, and believes that a political "tipping point" is near and, afterward, the incremental movement will be replaced with a quantum leap. Here's hoping.

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