GORED
Albert Gore hurt himself and at least three other people recently when he announced he was supporting former Governor Harold Dean of Vermont for the Democratic nomination.
As should be obvious, he lowered his personal ratings by a noticeable notch by utterly and callously ignoring his former running mate without even the courtesy of a telephone call. Leiberman, who, himself, had delayed entering the campaign until he made sure Albert Gore was not going to seek the nomination is a serious person. This thoughtless act must have irked those who felt the Gore-Leiberman ticket should have read the other way around. Lieberman drew a worthy group of voters to Gore's side and this was no way to think him for his loyalty. Certainly this this was a poor way for Gore to say thank you for loyalty by a former running mate. Furthermore, this incident will excite rumors that all was well in the Gore-Leiberman camp during the last election which Gore still still insists was “stolen” - a charge about which we hear nothing voiced by Senator Leiberman.
The harm which might well come to Howard Dean by this close association with the likes of Al Gore are less apparent and my be stayed for a time. Lieberman touched on them when he noted that he was amazed that Gore could support Dean who favors a host of measures Gore campaigned against. Gore, as usual, is getting on the band wagon of the favorite early, perhaps without noticing the exact baggage the wagon was hauling. Such deviations from principles might well appear later. I think Professor Gore can work his pressing educational duties in well enough to keep the Dean campaign going. I do not foresee any real difficulty between the two men until an announcements make known, publicly, that celebrated Vermont Maple syrup was originally created by Al Gore in those years before he invented the Internet.
Yes, I do think the situation might well become that ludicrous in the weeks and months ahead.
In the political arena, “to be gored” is a most unpleasant hazard.
A.L.M. December 11, 2003 [c362wds]
