Lesley Stahl | 03/27/2008 4:27 pm

On '60 Minutes:' Still a Chance Al Gore Might Enter the Presidential Race?

Everyone said: we’ll know if Al Gore’s plotting a late entry into the presidential race if he loses weight. Well, I’m here to report that he has lost a lot of weight. But — he says he’s fallen out of love with politics and after spending time with him for our 60 Minutes story, I almost believe him!

Will he emerge as the “honest broker” who steps in to resolve the war between Obama and Hillary? It’s possible, I suppose. But such a mediator would have to be purely neutral, and given all that’s been written about the competition and bad blood between Al and Hillary when he was vice president and she was first lady, I’m having trouble seeing it.

For now, Gore is immersed in Global Warming. The comedians would have a hard time deriding him for being wooden today … He’s relaxed, easy in his skin … and passionate about his cause.

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Along with my profile of Al Gore, “60 Minutes” this Sunday includes a Scott Pelley interview with an innocent “detainee” who says the Americans tortured him in Afghanistan; and a piece by Morley Safer on how the Red Sox used statistics to win the World Series.

Read more about: Al Gore, Lesley Stahl, On '60 Minutes', Politics

39 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Hi Leslie, I’ve heard that too. Great interview. I’ve also heard that a ticket with Al Gore running as President and Obama as Veep is being floated around. Btw, I am thrilled to be the official cartoonist on this site! I love it here!

By marisa marchetto on 03/27/2008 4:56 pm

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Hi Leslie, Gore is super popular here in Northern California where he owns a penthouse in downtown SF for his frequent business in Silicon Valley. He spoke at a small meeting of the World Affairs Council years ago. While formal on camera, in person he appears earnest, brilliant, responsive and engaging. I brought a copy of his book Earth in Balance and asked him to sign it for my son’s birthday. I mentioned that my son was in grad school in Paris in International Relations/Foreign Policy/UN Charter Law… and hoping to go into diplomacy. He wrote a page of encouraging things an affirming person would say to a college student. Was impressed. I think he and Obama would be an incredible ticket that could turn the whole world around.

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 03/27/2008 5:15 pm

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Wow after that small sound “bite” he sure is calling a lot of people names and belittling them. Sounds like he is still angry about losing his bid for the White House. Of course he is going to jump on Vice President Cheney. That is what sore losers do. Mr. Gore causes more greenhouse gas with all his travel and his houses than my whole town put together, probably our whole state. I won’t be watching his interview. He has nothing I am interested in hearing. You do look marvelous Lesley!

By M. G. on 03/27/2008 5:46 pm

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MistyAnne, you’re grasping at straws. There’s a lot of time yet to decide anything. Let’s hope something floats.

By Upanaway on 03/28/2008 10:13 pm

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Al Gore represents our best and brightest, and he knows how to step down with GRACE for his Party and the Nation - at large. His post-2000 7 years validates his stature in the American pantheon and zeitgist. We are elevated by whatever he chooses to do — which should be the standard for picking the next President. We are fortunate he has chosen to continue to SERVE the American people as our ambassador-at-large for something truly important.

By Renata on 03/27/2008 5:56 pm

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Renata, Thank you!

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 03/27/2008 7:12 pm

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Does this mean that Hillary is toast? As a Canadian I’m getting worried if there is too much bashing could (shudder) McCain get in. HELP!

By Eve Fulton on 03/27/2008 8:25 pm

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You are worried in Canada—that is where some of us are moving if McCain gets in! But to me, Obama is a little “off,” snooty or like a HS debater. Hillary seems to be weirding out a little—why does she even WANT to do this with all the pipsqueaks picking on her? But McCain—here in AZ many of us think of him as a preening little media hound and slacker at his Senate job—not to mention of the warrior class, in love with war, and a forgetful oldster, liar, and hypocrite. . Still, where does Al Gore fit in—the pipsqueaks will drag out the invented the internet canard first thing! Ack, I need a nap.

By Star Lawrence on 03/28/2008 10:13 am

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Star!??? hey there - woman! Come on, the ‘thing’ about Gore and the Internet was gone long ago. Obama acts his shoe size, that’s his biggest obstacle; he’ll grow up eventually, but not not. McCain’s not much better than the “others” who played around to find trophy wives, but that never grew legs, did it!

By Upanaway on 03/28/2008 10:24 pm

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Suzanne, my pleasure. I smile at every accomplishment of Al Gore. Karma. He demonstrates that even as we come out of the dark abyss of the last 7 years, if one (or a Nation) is ready, willing and able to reconnect to its essential goodness and work hard — ANYTHING CAN BE DONE! Turn the page!

By Renata on 03/27/2008 9:29 pm

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Eve: We are WORKING really hard on two fronts — during the Democratic Nomination process. Internally and the Republicans’ full-tilt active participation along with one of the Democratic Candidates. Very interesting. Hopefully, Democrats will see this for what it is…and, the Conservative Canadian Government will stay out of the Democratic Nominating process! :-) You can help there!

By Renata on 03/27/2008 9:35 pm

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We’re not happy with the conservative gov’t either. Hopefully that will change in the next six months or so. But honestly do Americans really listen to us up here. I really doubt it. You are right though, the conservatives should have kept their thoughts to themselves till the election is over. What do you mean by the Republicans are working with one of the Dems hopefuls?

By Eve Fulton on 03/27/2008 10:20 pm

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Seems Teams Hillary and McCain, have a mutual admiration society thing going and should be running together, on the Republican/(DLC-Democratic Leadership Council-Joe Lieberman) side, of course. I prefer clarity of purpose and finally a singular FOCUS on what is best for Americans after thirty years of dynastic rule, replete with entire generations of royal courts of special interests, surrogates and deal makers/lobbyists feeding at the trough. It would be helpful if the Republicans and Conservative Governments worldwide would wait until the Democratic Nominating process is completed before they ALL begin taking on the Democratic Nominee…and, STOP interfering. Next year Hillary and John can go back to touring the world…together, as Bill Clinton tells us they enjoy doing. They can take Joe Lieberman with them. Turn the page.

By Renata on 03/27/2008 10:31 pm

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Renata, YES! Please McCain, Clintons, Lieberman, DLC, etc…just go away and let us have our president now!! Here he is on The View…..the poor man is dignified despite the silliness…and the look on Whoopi’s face is priceless…like get a grip, people. http://gawker.com/5004700/hot-flashes-for-obama-on-the-view?autoplay=tru…

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 03/28/2008 12:08 am

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al gore had his shot and he blew it. his movie was informative, but he loses street cred by residing in a gianormous mansion and traveling in a private jet.
hillary would be turning a page…hellloooooo, WOMAN in the white house. although i do have a twisted curiosity to see what the republicans would do to obama if he wins the primary. hillary has at least been civil, if there is one thing the gop is good at it is finding skeletons.

By teeny keels on 03/28/2008 2:38 am