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

I think the last thing this country needs is a misguided environmentalist president (Gore) and a socialist bordering on communist vice president (Obama). That would be the death of America.

By Giving Heart on 03/28/2008 9:15 am

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Yes, heaven forbid that we have an environmentalist that would do something about all the damage we are causing our planet, and someone like Obama who can string together more than a few words fed to him by a teleprompter. Please! The last eight years have done more damage to our country and this world than the past 100 years. We will need someone to clean up several messes, the war, the environment, the economy and our world-wide reputation. It would not be the “death of America” it would be our rebirth.

By maria sudduth on 03/29/2008 4:23 pm

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I used to think the “death of America” was being declared prematurely, but now as the Constitution gets nicked at constantly and the imperial presidency arises, I wonder. I mean, there was no guarantee it would stay the way it was.

By Star Lawrence on 03/30/2008 2:02 pm

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Al Gore had his chance and blew it — because at heart, he is not a politician. I saw him “campaigning” once in New York City, and it was really obvious that he is uncomfortable with the idea of “pressing the flesh.” He is a born wonk and has found a happy place for himself. Let him be!

By MW C on 03/28/2008 9:48 am

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Al Gore will be the “knight” to bring unity to the democrats. I am for Hillary and I do not like or trust Barack Obama.

By Helen S on 03/28/2008 1:21 pm

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Helen dear with all respect Gore and Hillary do not like each other at all…so how that would unify I can’t image. How can you not like Saint Barack of Obama!!! :)

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 03/28/2008 10:56 pm

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Suzanne: We are simpatico. We’ve had 30 years of pithy commentary and faux niceness to get into The White House and grab the power to make money out of Office by the family dynasties. Nothing has/will change, and when the donor lists/tax returns are released many of the names from the letter to Ms. Pelosi will be recognized for what they are — BUYING access, more deregulation, banking/hedge fund rescues and no-bid contracts for various industries. The desperation wreaks of DEALS that depend upon winning back The White House for a third and fourth term. Destroying the Party’s chances demonstrates the American people are NOT the focus of the Clintons. Turn the page.

By Renata on 03/28/2008 2:44 pm

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Renata….agree….totally And love your expression Turn the page…perfect for now.

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 03/28/2008 10:58 pm

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Al-don’t steal this election from Senator Obama-he’s working his tail off!!! Why do people keep calling Obama a communist? I read both his books-I don’t see it. What decade is this, anyway?

By T S on 03/28/2008 5:28 pm

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TS, My Dad and I email daily….he is total GOP and his daughter is not. He keeps sending me Obama the communist stuff. My Dad is a smart, very nice man, unfortunately many in the GOP seem to get their canned script from Fox and simply regurgitate the stuff. I don’t respond to it but change the subject to topic we agree on. No use causing ill will. A decision will be made next Jan and will all live with it. As to what decade is it…seems a lot of neo-McCarthy-ism.

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 03/28/2008 11:08 pm

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I am no fan of Junior, I mean Senator Junior, but this communist thing also doesn’t resonate with me…Pretty Cold war, what?

By Star Lawrence on 03/30/2008 2:05 pm

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oh good grief. that’s all the Democrats need, first: Hillary and Obama ruin a perfect ticket, now, Al Gore, who was a loser in 2000 ????? oh,please, no. I will watch the Stahl interview because she is a great journalist and always interesting. but no Gore.

By l drake on 03/28/2008 9:49 pm

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It will take anyone in the White House 10 years to change a wit. “death of America”? It’s happened already.

By Upanaway on 03/28/2008 10:20 pm

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Dear UP! At least the death of magic..according to a recent piece in the London Herald.

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 03/28/2008 11:10 pm

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Well didn’t Al Gore have his chance in 2000 and make the brilliant decision not to use Bill Clinton as the most powerful campaign tool imaginable?!? Yes, he was robbed, but if he’d used some political sense it never would have been close enough to lose! Now the 90’s are considered passe. Too bad the good times are so soon forgotten. I love what Hillary asks: What didn’t you like about the 90’s the Peace or the Prosperity? We need a woman in the White House and who could do us better than Hillary, she’s taken every hit the GOP could deal her for years and she’s still here. And in this primary campaign she’s taken every hit the MEDIA could deal her. Obama glides through every storm and doesn’t even get his feet wet! My metaphors are becoming mixed up, but my mind is clear on one thing: Al Gore had his chance and blew it; now women let’s get behind Hillary and let her show ‘em how to clean up the messes men make!

By Lucinda Blackwood on 03/29/2008 3:04 am