WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former Vice President Al Gore denied again that there were any campaign plans in his immediate future, but told CNN Monday that he hadn't "ruled out getting back into the political process at some point" — and that if he did return to political life, it would be to take another shot at the White House.What scenario would he entertain in order to undetake such a task?
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, speaking from the Oslo site of Monday's awards ceremony, told CNN's Jonathan Mann that he didn't expect to ever get back in the political process, but that "if I did get back, it would be as a candidate for president."
I think I know the answer. The scenario would have to break this way:
1) Hillary Clinton would have to lose the nomination in 2008.
2) The NotHillary Democratic candidate would have to lose in 2008.
(side note: If Hillary wins the nomination in 2008, but loses the general election, she would run again in 2012, I feel.)
This would leave a wide-open field for Gore to walk in and start fundraising early and often. Many of his sources overlap Clinton (and to some degree, John Edwards), so it makes no sense for him to run if Hillary is a viable candidate. She'd need to be repudiated by the party for her to lose her viability.
Should Obama win the nomination (a long shot), look for Gore to begin ramping up for the 2012 election before the convention is over. In fact, I'd expect a major prime time address in Denver from Gore if Hilalry hasn't sewed it up.
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