Gore hasn't declared his candidacy for president in 2008 and says he has "no plans" to do so, the politician's stock phrase for keeping all options wide open. Why on earth should he wade into the fray now? Why not just keep on winning kudos for his battle against global warming while letting Clinton and Obama beat each other to a pulp for the rest of this year. Then he can decide, not long before the primary season opens in early 2008, that Americans might like a different choice -- a well-known and highly experienced former vice president, freshly endowed with new, worldwide, nonpolitical laurels?
Unlike Clinton, Gore would not inspire the Republicans to the heights of frenzy that would be generated against the Ice Queen. And his record as an office-holder, let alone global do-gooder, would simply overwhelm Obama's pitiful three empty years in the Senate.
It may be objected that Gore has been around too long, while Clinton and Obama haven't yet had their chance at the Oval Office. But Americans have short memories, and recollections of Gore as a politician will be at least eight years old by the primary, obscured by his newer fame as Savior of the Planet. Republicans will neglect him at our own peril.