Gore endorses Obama and attacks Bush in Detroit

Ron Burgundy · 06-16-2008, 11:51 PM

AP - Al Gore made his debut in the 2008 presidential campaign Monday night, encouraging voters to back Barack Obama because "take it from me, elections matter."

The former vice president's speech at the Joe Louis Arena was part endorsement and part blistering attack on the man who denied him the White House eight years ago.

"After eight years of incompetence, neglect and failure, we need change," Gore said. "After eight years when our Constitution has been dishonored and disrespected, we need changes."

In 2000, Gore won the popular vote but lost the disputed election to George W. Bush, who captured Florida and its electoral votes after a divided Supreme Court ended the re-count of ballots. Since then, Gore has made combatting global warming his signature issue, and has been recognized worldwide for his effort from an Academy Award to the Nobel Prize.

Obama stoked lasting Democratic anger over the 2000 outcome when he recognized Gore as "the winner of the popular vote for president."

"You remember that," Obama said as the crowd of 20,000 erupted in raucous applause.

Gore is one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, but he stayed out of the primary campaign.

It's the second time Obama has rolled out a major endorsement in Michigan, where he did not campaign during the primary because its election violated the party rules. Obama is counting on a win in Michigan in November, but brought Gore and 2004 vice presidential nominee John Edwards to help validate him among Democrats in the state after skipping their primary.

"I'm grateful Al Gore came to Detroit tonight," Obama said. "But I'm ever more grateful for everything he's done in the last 40 years for this country."

Gore announced his decision in a fundraising e-mail earlier Monday. "From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected president of the United States," Gore wrote.

Gore told the rally that the Democratic primary was a contest between a strong and inspiring field of candidates, but "now we've made our choice."

He said Republican candidate John McCain deserves respect for all he has done for this country and for his willingness to debate his party on climate change and other critical issues. But he said the 71-year-old McCain's "age and experience" aren't the same as Obama's judgment, noting the Democrat's early opposition to the Iraq war.

He said Republicans criticized President Kennedy for being too young and inexperienced to be president as well, but Kennedy noted that Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Christopher Columbus all accomplished great things before they reached their mid-40s.

"I feel your determination after two terms of the Bush-Cheney administration to change the direction of our country," he said. He accused Bush of myriad missteps, including a botched response to Hurricane Katrina, economic problems, foreign policy mistakes and allowing lead-tainted toys and poisoned pet food in from China.

"Even our dogs and cats have learned that elections matter," he said. "This election matters more than ever because America needs change more than ever."

The Republican Party pointed out that Gore's 2000 running mate, Sen. Joe Lieberman, has since left the Democratic Party and become an independent and is backing McCain.

In response to Gore's harsh critique of Bush, GOP spokesman Alex Conant said, "This election isn't about changing the past, it's about changing the future. It's telling that half of the 2000 Democratic ticket endorsed John McCain early in the campaign, while the other half waited until Barack Obama had been the presumptive nominee for weeks." Obama clinched the nomination on June 3.

Obama and Gore were introduced by Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who backed Hillary Rodham Clinton in the primary. She held up a navy blue pump and said, on behalf of women everywhere, that she was proud to say she's supporting Obama.

She was loudly booed at the mention of Clinton's name, and Obama chastised the crowd for that when he spoke. He said he's a better candidate for having run against Clinton.

"She's tough," he said. "That's why this race took so long. She's a fighter. And we need fighters in the Democratic Party because we've got a lot to fight for."

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On the Net:

http://www.barackobama.com

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080617/ap_on_el_pr/obama_gore [link]

DosEquis · 06-17-2008, 12:10 AM

Though it was expected, i have to say from what ive seen... If al would have sold himself the way he just tried to sell Barack he would have won (officially) in 2000.

motivez · 06-17-2008, 12:16 AM

I agree.. a really great speech, very passionate. If he had any of the fire in him tonight back in the 2000 election.. I think he would have won for sure.

Ardentfrost · 06-17-2008, 07:26 AM

From the title of this thread, I pictured Gore and Bush in the same vicinity and Gore just losing it and jumping on Bush, trying to choke him or something... yelling "I'll kill you!"

It was pretty funny in my head.

Anyhow, this is obviously expected. He was going to come out with an endorsement eventually. Additionally, I wouldn't be surprised if Obama considers him for the VP spot considering his popularity in the party, but I also doubt Gore would accept it. He's been there, done that.

Stylerod · 06-17-2008, 03:15 PM

"Even our dogs and cats have learned that elections matter," he said.

I guess polling shows dogs and cats voting Obama!

motivez · 06-18-2008, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

I guess polling shows dogs and cats voting Obama!

He's talking about the poisoned pet food from China

Stylerod · 06-18-2008, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by motivez

He's talking about the poisoned pet food from China

No, if that is what he meant he would have said "Pet owners have learned...". He didn't. He said "our dogs and cats have learned..."

He exaggerates everything which is what makes him so hard to take seriously when it comes to man made global warming.

motivez · 06-18-2008, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

No, if that is what he meant he would have said "Pet owners have learned...". He didn't. He said "our dogs and cats have learned..."

He exaggerates everything which is what makes him so hard to take seriously when it comes to man made global warming.

Are you being serious? You think that's really what he meant?

Stylerod · 06-18-2008, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by motivez

Are you being serious? You think that's really what he meant?

I think what he meant was to blame Bush for poisoned dog food. I'm sure once Obama is elected he will personally inspect every can of meat that comes from China to make sure cats and dogs keep voting for him.

DosEquis · 06-18-2008, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

I think what he meant was to blame Bush for poisoned dog food. I'm sure once Obama is elected he will personally inspect every can of meat that comes from China to make sure cats and dogs keep voting for him.

It was a stab at trade policy that the administration has not changed.

Stylerod · 06-18-2008, 03:41 PM

And while he was in Detroit with Gore his people decided to discriminate against Muslims. Twice, in two different locations!

Muslims barred from picture at Obama event - Ben Smith - Politico.com

Two Muslim women at Barack Obama’s rally in Detroit on Monday were barred from sitting behind the podium by campaign volunteers seeking to prevent the women’s headscarves from appearing in photographs or on television with the candidate.

Shimaa Abdelfadeel’s story was different. She’d waited in line outside the Joe Louis Arena for three hours in the sun and was walking through the giant hall when a volunteer approached two of her non-Muslim friends, a few steps ahead of her, and asked if they’d like to sit in “special seating” behind the stage, said one friend, Brittany Marino, who, like Abdelfadeel, is a recent University of Michigan graduate who works for the university.

When they said they were with Abdelfadeel, the volunteer told them their friend would have to take off the headscarf or stay out of the special section, Marino said. They declined the seats.

WOOPS!

SoFlaJDM · 06-18-2008, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

And while he was in Detroit with Gore his people decided to discriminate against Muslims. Twice, in two different locations!

Muslims barred from picture at Obama event - Ben Smith - Politico.com

WOOPS!

it's a lose lose situation... if he takes pictures with her, the racist right will pin him as terrist... just ask dunkin donuts

Stylerod · 06-18-2008, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by SoFlaJDM

it's a lose lose situation... if he takes pictures with her, the racist right will pin him as terrist... just ask dunkin donuts

So he did this to appease the right???????? Does that mean he is pro-gun, anti "get out of Iraq now" and anti National Health Care as well?

SoFlaJDM · 06-18-2008, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

So he did this to appease the right????????

is that what i said?

he's simply trying to avoid ridiculous distractions like this

Stylerod · 06-18-2008, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by SoFlaJDM

is that what i said?

he's simply trying to avoid ridiculous distractions like this

So posing for a picture with 20 people behind him and 2 of them being Muslim is more distracting than turning those people away because they are dressed like Muslims???? I bet it's not!

Oh, he did make sure to fly one in for this picture this morning, but it looks like he decided to get Hooters girls in there to to take attention away from the Muslim

SoFlaJDM · 06-18-2008, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

So posing for a picture with 20 people behind him and 2 of them being Muslim is more distracting than turning those people away because they are dressed like Muslims???? I bet it's not!

Oh, he did make sure to fly one in for this picture this morning, but it looks like he decided to get Hooters girls in there to to take attention away from the Muslim

that's like 4x the people who attended mccain's last speech

motivez · 06-18-2008, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

So he did this to appease the right???????? Does that mean he is pro-gun, anti "get out of Iraq now" and anti National Health Care as well?

He did it because he knew it'd be used as bigoted propaganda by Republicans

It's a lose lose situation. Republicans are all too willing to use race, religion, and other forms of discrimination to attack Obama's candidacy..

Ardentfrost · 06-19-2008, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

So posing for a picture with 20 people behind him and 2 of them being Muslim is more distracting than turning those people away because they are dressed like Muslims???? I bet it's not!

Oh, he did make sure to fly one in for this picture this morning, but it looks like he decided to get Hooters girls in there to to take attention away from the Muslim

I'd do any of them... including the one in the headscarf... and Obama

Stylerod · 06-19-2008, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by motivez

He did it because he knew it'd be used as bigoted propaganda by Republicans

It's a lose lose situation. Republicans are all too willing to use race, religion, and other forms of discrimination to attack Obama's candidacy..

Oh bullshit. The Democrats, HILLARY and BILL, already did enough race baiting for one year. The Republicans don't need to do it.

Get off you're high horse with the Republican racist crap.