The Daily Orange

He was a former vice president and then almost became leader of the free world. In 2006, he ran across the country preaching about global warming - and on Sunday, he won an Oscar for it.

Al Gore has worn many hats throughout his career, the most recent of which appears more Ronald Reagan than Harry Truman - Academy Award winner. But the nature of the political beast would not let him escape the constant speculation that national leaders face daily.

"Even though I honestly had not planned on doing this, I guess with a billion people watching, it is as good a time as any. So, my fellow Americans, I am going to take this opportunity right here and now to formally announce…" said Gore, during his acceptance speech for Best Documentary before being cut off by the orchestra.

"An Inconvenient Truth" swept Gore back into the national spotlight after lying low following his defeat in the 2000 presidential election. Gore claims he is committed to addressing climate change, but the pundits can't help but ponder a potential 2008 run by the former vice president.

The Daily Orange, in a new feature titled "Ask the Experts," took the question of a potential Gore presidential bid and gauged responses from some of Syracuse University's political authorities.


Following Al Gore's Oscar win, would it be wise for him to run for president?


Jim Bennett
associate professor, political science
"No more or less 'wise' than it was before the Oscar win."

Horace Campbell
professor, African American studies and political science
"I think it would be an excellent idea because this would focus attention on the destruction of the natural environment and global climate change. It would refocus attention on what is produced, how goods and services are produced and the capitalist form of production - where private companies continue to destroy the environment with impunity."

Julie Cooper
assistant professor, political science
"No … I think that were he to enter the race, the glow of the Oscar would quickly evaporate and people would be reminded of the last election, and it would just be too much old baggage for him to be carrying."

Danny Hayes
assistant professor, political science
"If the Oscar voters constituted the American electorate, then sure, another run for the presidency would seem like a good idea. But until the environment - Gore's signature issue these days - overtakes Iraq, health care and the economy as the public's central concern, then a 2008 bid is likely to be ill-fated."

Robert McClure
professor, political science and public affairs
"For Mr. Gore, or anyone, it is never 'wise' to run for president."

John Palmer
dean emeritus, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
"Can you just quote me as chuckling? ... I think on balance it's probably positive, but I still don't think it would be a wise choice for him to run for the presidency."

Sarah Pralle
assistant professor, political science
"No, it wouldn't be 'wise.' I don't think he should threaten his winning stake as it is. He is much better and more popular as an outside agitator for change in environmental issues. He takes a stronger stand as citizen Gore than candidate Gore."

Jeff Stonecash
professor, political science
"Al Gore was able to run in 2000 with remarkable good circumstances for a Democrat. The economy was in good shape most of the year, there was a tremendous amount of growth in the 1990s. He didn't win. A lot of people think he had his chance under the best of circumstances. He was not a great candidate. I cannot imagine anyone wants to step aside for him right now."

Margaret Thompson
associate professor, history and political science
"I don't think he should run for president, period. Firstly, I think there are a lot of very viable Democratic candidates already in the field. Secondly, I think what he's doing now is very useful and valuable. He has a lot more credibility as an elder statesman and environmental candidate than he would have as a presidential candidate."

Paul Troisi
president, Syracuse University College Republicans
"I don't think it's a good idea. I don't think he has the level of hype that other candidates on either side have. I'd never vote for him."

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