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Gore-watch

James Forsyth

Friday, 1st February 2008

Last night’s debate between Clinton and Obama was not decisive and there is probably only one thing that could transform this race before Super Tuesday: a Gore endorsement. So far, there is no sign that Gore wants to get involved. The feeling is that he is a statesman now and that dropping down into this race would tarnish that image and, if he makes the wrong call, lessen his ability to get the next administration to follow his environmental agenda. But journalists and politicos being what they are we can’t help but speculate and as Josh Green points out in the Atlantic there are some straws in the wind:

“The first is that Obama and Gore have been speaking regularly, about every two weeks or so. The second is that, despite this, and despite Tennessee’s primary on Tuesday, Obama has not visited the state since June. It may be simply that he does not plan on competing there. Or it may be that he’s been waiting for a special occasion.”

Certainly, a Gore endorsement would be dramatic and ensure that Obama is bathed in positive media coverage going into Super Tuesday. It would certainly prevent Hillary from landing a knock out blow on him and if Obama gets through Super Tuesday then he is, as I argue in the magazine this week, in pole position to win the nomination.

Hat tip: Andrew Sullivan.