Gore says he’ll likely endorse a candidate this cycle. There’s speculation that it might be Hillary, if only to facilitate some kind of Gore position in the admin. Personally, I think he may have learned his lesson about getting ahead of himself; another frontrunner flame out (however unlikely) would suck. And she’s certainly not the one trying the hardest. Here’s the collection of statements released this morning.
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HRC: Congratulations to Al Gore for his well-deserved Nobel Peace Prize. His dedication and tireless work have been instrumental in raising international awareness about global warming.
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BHO: “By having the courage to challenge the skeptics in Washington and lead on the climate crisis facing our planet, Al Gore has advanced the cause of peace and richly deserves this reward. His voice and his vision have awakened the conscience of America to the urgency of this threat, and now we must take bold action so that our children inherit a planet that is cleaner, safer, and more peaceful for generations to come,” said Barack Obama.
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Richardson: “Vice President Al Gore has a remarkable record of public service. For over twenty years, he has been dedicated to fighting global warming for our nation and the world. His Nobel Prize is well-deserved.
“This prize is important, not only in recognition of Vice President Gore’s extraordinary achievements, but also in acknowledgement of the importance of fighting global climate change. We must confront this threat head-on, and we must act now. Our dependence on foreign oil threatens our national security. Global warming threatens our environment, and its catastrophic effects threaten the livability of our planet. The Nobel Committee has recognized that the fight against global warming truly is about peace.
“We need bold change. I have proposed a plan that the Sierra Club calls the most aggressive of any of the Presidential candidates. I also have the experience to lead on this issue. I was Secretary of Energy, and as Governor, I have made New Mexico the Clean Energy State. President Bush may not follow the Kyoto Protocol, but my state does.
“Vice President Gore’s efforts on global warming are awe-inspiring. However, solving this problem will take more than the heroic efforts of one man. It will require sacrifice from every American. It will require the resolve of the world. It also will require bold Presidential leadership. I am ready to provide it.”
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Edwards:
“Congratulations to Al Gore. The Nobel Peace Prize rewards three
decades of Vice President Gore’s prescient and compelling – and often
lonely – advocacy for the future of the Earth. His leadership stands in
stunning contrast to the failure of the current administration to pursue
policies that would reduce the harm of global warming.
“The Nobel Committee’s recognition of Vice President Gore shines a
bright light on the most inconvenient truth of all – the selection of
George Bush as president has endangered the peace and prosperity of the
entire planet.
“Two terms later, Americans are ready for bold change, ready to be
patriotic about something other than war and ready to take action to
stop global warming before it’s too late. The stakes are sky-high – as
Al Gore predicted, our Earth is in the balance.”