From the NYT:
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.”
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.”
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4 comments:
Minus the fact that Governor Granholm threw in a plug for Senator Hill Spawn (funny however, because the crowd booed at that point), the night was a great one. VP Gore did a suprisingly good job of energizing the crowd and Sen. Obama was at the top of his game as usual. And perhaps most importantly, Kwame was NOWHERE TO BE FOUND! I'd say it couldn't get any better than tonight...
The lines were crazy long, but it was all worth it.
So you were at the event?
Michigan will become a regular stop by both candidates from here on out.
I have not been motivated enough to go to one of these rallies. I'm just so turned off by the American political structure.... although Obama, as a candidate, seems well worth it (even though I don't agree with all of his policy positions).
I should have plenty of opportunities this Summer/Fall to attend at least one event, if I find the motivation. Missouri will be one of the States that Obama will try to flip his way, so he will be here often.
We also have the one and only scheduled VP debate.
One other thing...
I find it interesting that Gore waited until this late date to endorse Obama... when it was safe to do so.
Where was Gore 5 weeks ago? He clearly didn't want to offend his good friends...the Clintons and end up on their little list.
Just like Harold Ford... when it was clear that Obama had it wrapped up, Ford mysteriously changed his tune and his tone. All of a sudden, Obama was great... weeks before, he was trashing Obama... a man who tried to help him in Tennessee in 06. Talk about backstabbing.
Waiting until it was safe to endorse Obama shows a lack of courage, especially when they could have limited the damage to the eventual nominee by endorsing a little earlier. By waiting to endorse, the primary contest was allowed to drag on a few weeks too long.
It's hard to know how Gore really feels about Obama...where he really stands, since he didn't really show his cards here. Is he endorsing now because he genuinely supports Obama, or is he endorsing because Obama has wrapped up the nomination anyway...and this is simply opportunism on Gore's part?
Who knows....
Hey AI,
Yep. I was at the Joe for the rally last night. I tried to catch the town meeting in Flint earlier in the day (which is literally 2 miles from where I work in Flint), but tickets for that event were as hard to get as a girlfriend (a little joke based on one of your latest controversial posts). So I unfortunately missed Obama's Flint showing.
You raised an interesting point that was shared between a few attendees and me. The procrastination of Gore's endorsement was brought up. With Obama already being the nominee, any additional endorsements at this point seems pretty moot. Add to that controversy, Govenor Granholm (a huge Clinton supporter) destroyed any momentum she was building up for Obama by referring to her support for Sen. Hill Spawn. Some of us were left to wonder why she'd toss that into the mix. Was it to urge some of the women folk to get over Hill Spawn and join Obama? If so, why do it in front of folks who are already there to support Obama in the first place? Something seemed pretty fishy in Denmark. Then of course, there were the occasions -- both from Gore and Obama -- where they would rip into Mr. Straight Talk; but only after they prefaced their lashing with a showing of respect for Sen. McInsane's military service. That didn't have as many question marks attached to it; as I think the audience knew exactly what was going on there.
I agree with you, dawg. There are lots of questions that could be raised about some of these so-called endorsements and supportive gestures that are beginning to surface.
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