I've Seen America: If Al Gore Ran In 2008

[pericles]

THE BOUNCE 

Al Gore entered the New Hampshire primary with a burst of momentum after his Iowa win​ 

Al Gore entered New Hampshire with the 'Big Mo' after his Iowa win. His solid win made him the frontrunner in the race. A win in New Hampshire could seal the deal for Gore. A national poll taken on January 4 showed Gore soaring to a lead in the race, with 35% Gore, 34% Clinton and 19% John Edwards. Another poll showed 34% Gore, 33% Clinton and 17% John Edwards. A second consecutive victory in New Hampshire could mortally wound Clinton's chances. A change in the primary process made that possibility even more likely. In a fight for primary influence, New Hampshire would be holding its primary much sooner after Iowa. Gore hoped this would preclude any chance of a Clinton comeback. Before the Iowa caucuses, polling in New Hampshire had showed a close race, but with Clinton narrowly in the lead. Initially, there did not seem to be a bounce. On January 4 Gore's team began to worry they wouldn't get a bounce.



Then they got one. Polls started showing Gore vaulting into the lead. A CNN poll, released on January 6, showed Al Gore at 37%, Clinton at 34% and John Edwards at 15%. A USA Today poll showed Gore with 39%, Clinton at 34% and Edwards at 17%. The debate on January 5 would be a key moment before the primary. At Saint Anslem College, the debate would be Hillary Clinton's chance to halt Gore's momentum, and Gore's chance to push on full speed ahead.

Hillary Clinton pushed to halt Al Gore's momentum in the January 5th debate​ 

Clinton and Gore clashed on the debate stage. Clinton whacked Gore on healthcare, boasting her superior plan and arguing that Gore will "not deliver the results we so desperately need." She declared "Al Gore's in it for himself, not for you." Al Gore fired back, saying "If you want a President who delivers for you and not for themselves, vote for me. When real change is on the table, the forces of the status quo, of the same old failed politics, will attack, as they do now. But we are going to fight for and deliver the change America needs." John Edwards attacked both candidates, saying "It is time for us to move on from the failures of the past. I am the only candidate who is looking forward to the future, instead of relitigating the battles of the 1990s." Later in the debate, Hillary was asked why some voters did not trust her. Clinton replied "Well, I'm sorry to hear that. I assure you that I can be trusted. And some people like to to drag my name from the mud, but I am working for the American people. I will be your president and I will fight for you." Gore replied "People don't trust you, Senator, because you can't be trusted. Look at your record, you have failed to deliver for the American people." Clinton fired back "You gave us George Bush." Gore in turn said "You voted for his Iraq War, I did not." It looked as if the debate would not save Clinton.

 

Hillary Clinton tears up in a New Hampshire campaign stop​ 

Hillary Clinton was on the ropes. It was a bruising campaign, and she was losing. Some polls showed Gore's lead in New Hampshire stretching out into the high single digits. Her campaign was in turmoil. She went to a campaign stop in a cafe in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A woman asked innocuously how she kept looking so good despite the rigors of campaigning. She said 'it's not easy, and I couldn't do it if I didn't passionately believe it was the right thing to do. You know, I have so many opportunities in this country. I just don't want to see us fall backward" By now her eyes were welling up and voice was quivering. According to the talking heads, tears were streaming down her cheeks. "You know, this is very personal for me-it's not just political, I see what is happening." Gore heard about this as he barnstormed through New Hampshire. His team saw it as a 'Muskie moment' (when Ed Muskie was weeping in New Hampshire in 1972 and so lost his presidential bid) and some believed she was faking it. Gore had little sympathy for her. Gore's response was "I know running for President is hard, and I understand that, but I don't think we should be swayed by a few tears. And we need to recognize that being President is a tough job too, and choose the person best suited for that great responsibility." Some saw Gore's response as a swipe at Clinton and the press called his response 'ungallant' and 'mean'. That moment in the cafe threatened to scramble the dynamic of the primary, and both Gore and Clinton were left hoping, and fearing, where the votes would go.

 

Al Gore was on a roll in New Hampshire​ 

The polls showed him in the lead. Iowa had gone for him. New Hampshire too was likely for him. Across the nation he was rising into the lead. His opponent was crumbling. It looked like Al Gore had this thing, and this time he would win. The mood of the crowds was upbeat, enthusiastic. The Clintons were firing at him, Bill Clinton too was in the field. But the clock was faster, and the polls were showing him in the lead. Sure, the lead was narrow. Sure, Clinton could pull it off. He was confident he would win New Hampshire. Gore was now the inevitable one. However, there was the wildcard of the events in the cafe that could disrupt his momentum. Gore was pressing his message, voters wanted change, a break from Bush and he would deliver it. Surely, he could win this?



No, he didn't. The results came in, and they looked good for Clinton. She was beating the polls, and beating Gore. Gore soon realize things weren't going as planned. "Well" he said, disappointed "it's onto Nevada."

New Hampshire primary-Democratic

Hillary Clinton-40% 10 delegates

Al Gore-38% 9 delegates

John Edwards-15% 3 delegates

[lordroel]

Jan 26, 2017 21:25:50 GMT pericles said:

THE BOUNCE 

Al Gore entered the New Hampshire primary with a burst of momentum after his Iowa win​ 

Al Gore entered New Hampshire with the 'Big Mo' after his Iowa win. His solid win made him the frontrunner in the race. A win in New Hampshire could seal the deal for Gore. A national poll taken on January 4 showed Gore soaring to a lead in the race, with 35% Gore, 34% Clinton and 19% John Edwards. Another poll showed 34% Gore, 33% Clinton and 17% John Edwards. A second consecutive victory in New Hampshire could mortally wound Clinton's chances. A change in the primary process made that possibility even more likely. In a fight for primary influence, New Hampshire would be holding its primary much sooner after Iowa. Gore hoped this would preclude any chance of a Clinton comeback. Before the Iowa caucuses, polling in New Hampshire had showed a close race, but with Clinton narrowly in the lead. Initially, there did not seem to be a bounce. On January 4 Gore's team began to worry they wouldn't get a bounce.



Then they got one. Polls started showing Gore vaulting into the lead. A CNN poll, released on January 6, showed Al Gore at 37%, Clinton at 34% and John Edwards at 15%. A USA Today poll showed Gore with 39%, Clinton at 34% and Edwards at 17%. The debate on January 5 would be a key moment before the primary. At Saint Anslem College, the debate would be Hillary Clinton's chance to halt Gore's momentum, and Gore's chance to push on full speed ahead.

Hillary Clinton pushed to halt Al Gore's momentum in the January 5th debate​ 

Clinton and Gore clashed on the debate stage. Clinton whacked Gore on healthcare, boasting her superior plan and arguing that Gore will "not deliver the results we so desperately need." She declared "Al Gore's in it for himself, not for you." Al Gore fired back, saying "If you want a President who delivers for you and not for themselves, vote for me. When real change is on the table, the forces of the status quo, of the same old failed politics, will attack, as they do now. But we are going to fight for and deliver the change America needs." John Edwards attacked both candidates, saying "It is time for us to move on from the failures of the past. I am the only candidate who is looking forward to the future, instead of relitigating the battles of the 1990s." Later in the debate, Hillary was asked why some voters did not trust her. Clinton replied "Well, I'm sorry to hear that. I assure you that I can be trusted. And some people like to to drag my name from the mud, but I am working for the American people. I will be your president and I will fight for you." Gore replied "People don't trust you, Senator, because you can't be trusted. Look at your record, you have failed to deliver for the American people." Clinton fired back "You gave us George Bush." Gore in turn said "You voted for his Iraq War, I did not." It looked as if the debate would not save Clinton.

 

Hillary Clinton tears up in a New Hampshire campaign stop​ 

Hillary Clinton was on the ropes. It was a bruising campaign, and she was losing. Some polls showed Gore's lead in New Hampshire stretching out into the high single digits. Her campaign was in turmoil. She went to a campaign stop in a cafe in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A woman asked innocuously how she kept looking so good despite the rigors of campaigning. She said 'it's not easy, and I couldn't do it if I didn't passionately believe it was the right thing to do. You know, I have so many opportunities in this country. I just don't want to see us fall backward" By now her eyes were welling up and voice was quivering. According to the talking heads, tears were streaming down her cheeks. "You know, this is very personal for me-it's not just political, I see what is happening." Gore heard about this as he barnstormed through New Hampshire. His team saw it as a 'Muskie moment' (when Ed Muskie was weeping in New Hampshire in 1972 and so lost his presidential bid) and some believed she was faking it. Gore had little sympathy for her. Gore's response was "I know running for President is hard, and I understand that, but I don't think we should be swayed by a few tears. And we need to recognize that being President is a tough job too, and choose the person best suited for that great responsibility." Some saw Gore's response as a swipe at Clinton and the press called his response 'ungallant' and 'mean'. That moment in the cafe threatened to scramble the dynamic of the primary, and both Gore and Clinton were left hoping, and fearing, where the votes would go.

 

Al Gore was on a roll in New Hampshire​ 

The polls showed him in the lead. Iowa had gone for him. New Hampshire too was likely for him. Across the nation he was rising into the lead. His opponent was crumbling. It looked like Al Gore had this thing, and this time he would win. The mood of the crowds was upbeat, enthusiastic. The Clintons were firing at him, Bill Clinton too was in the field. But the clock was faster, and the polls were showing him in the lead. Sure, the lead was narrow. Sure, Clinton could pull it off. He was confident he would win New Hampshire. Gore was now the inevitable one. However, there was the wildcard of the events in the cafe that could disrupt his momentum. Gore was pressing his message, voters wanted change, a break from Bush and he would deliver it. Surely, he could win this?



No, he didn't. The results came in, and they looked good for Clinton. She was beating the polls, and beating Gore. Gore soon realize things weren't going as planned. "Well" he said, disappointed "it's onto Nevada."

New Hampshire primary-Democratic

Hillary Clinton-40% 10 delegates

Al Gore-38% 9 delegates

John Edwards-15% 3 delegates

Like it, well researched and nice pictures.

[pericles]

Jan 26, 2017 21:30:14 GMT lordroel said:

Jan 26, 2017 21:25:50 GMT pericles said:

THE BOUNCE 

Al Gore entered the New Hampshire primary with a burst of momentum after his Iowa win​ 

Al Gore entered New Hampshire with the 'Big Mo' after his Iowa win. His solid win made him the frontrunner in the race. A win in New Hampshire could seal the deal for Gore. A national poll taken on January 4 showed Gore soaring to a lead in the race, with 35% Gore, 34% Clinton and 19% John Edwards. Another poll showed 34% Gore, 33% Clinton and 17% John Edwards. A second consecutive victory in New Hampshire could mortally wound Clinton's chances. A change in the primary process made that possibility even more likely. In a fight for primary influence, New Hampshire would be holding its primary much sooner after Iowa. Gore hoped this would preclude any chance of a Clinton comeback. Before the Iowa caucuses, polling in New Hampshire had showed a close race, but with Clinton narrowly in the lead. Initially, there did not seem to be a bounce. On January 4 Gore's team began to worry they wouldn't get a bounce.



Then they got one. Polls started showing Gore vaulting into the lead. A CNN poll, released on January 6, showed Al Gore at 37%, Clinton at 34% and John Edwards at 15%. A USA Today poll showed Gore with 39%, Clinton at 34% and Edwards at 17%. The debate on January 5 would be a key moment before the primary. At Saint Anslem College, the debate would be Hillary Clinton's chance to halt Gore's momentum, and Gore's chance to push on full speed ahead.

Hillary Clinton pushed to halt Al Gore's momentum in the January 5th debate​ 

Clinton and Gore clashed on the debate stage. Clinton whacked Gore on healthcare, boasting her superior plan and arguing that Gore will "not deliver the results we so desperately need." She declared "Al Gore's in it for himself, not for you." Al Gore fired back, saying "If you want a President who delivers for you and not for themselves, vote for me. When real change is on the table, the forces of the status quo, of the same old failed politics, will attack, as they do now. But we are going to fight for and deliver the change America needs." John Edwards attacked both candidates, saying "It is time for us to move on from the failures of the past. I am the only candidate who is looking forward to the future, instead of relitigating the battles of the 1990s." Later in the debate, Hillary was asked why some voters did not trust her. Clinton replied "Well, I'm sorry to hear that. I assure you that I can be trusted. And some people like to to drag my name from the mud, but I am working for the American people. I will be your president and I will fight for you." Gore replied "People don't trust you, Senator, because you can't be trusted. Look at your record, you have failed to deliver for the American people." Clinton fired back "You gave us George Bush." Gore in turn said "You voted for his Iraq War, I did not." It looked as if the debate would not save Clinton.

 

Hillary Clinton tears up in a New Hampshire campaign stop​ 

Hillary Clinton was on the ropes. It was a bruising campaign, and she was losing. Some polls showed Gore's lead in New Hampshire stretching out into the high single digits. Her campaign was in turmoil. She went to a campaign stop in a cafe in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A woman asked innocuously how she kept looking so good despite the rigors of campaigning. She said 'it's not easy, and I couldn't do it if I didn't passionately believe it was the right thing to do. You know, I have so many opportunities in this country. I just don't want to see us fall backward" By now her eyes were welling up and voice was quivering. According to the talking heads, tears were streaming down her cheeks. "You know, this is very personal for me-it's not just political, I see what is happening." Gore heard about this as he barnstormed through New Hampshire. His team saw it as a 'Muskie moment' (when Ed Muskie was weeping in New Hampshire in 1972 and so lost his presidential bid) and some believed she was faking it. Gore had little sympathy for her. Gore's response was "I know running for President is hard, and I understand that, but I don't think we should be swayed by a few tears. And we need to recognize that being President is a tough job too, and choose the person best suited for that great responsibility." Some saw Gore's response as a swipe at Clinton and the press called his response 'ungallant' and 'mean'. That moment in the cafe threatened to scramble the dynamic of the primary, and both Gore and Clinton were left hoping, and fearing, where the votes would go.

 

Al Gore was on a roll in New Hampshire​ 

The polls showed him in the lead. Iowa had gone for him. New Hampshire too was likely for him. Across the nation he was rising into the lead. His opponent was crumbling. It looked like Al Gore had this thing, and this time he would win. The mood of the crowds was upbeat, enthusiastic. The Clintons were firing at him, Bill Clinton too was in the field. But the clock was faster, and the polls were showing him in the lead. Sure, the lead was narrow. Sure, Clinton could pull it off. He was confident he would win New Hampshire. Gore was now the inevitable one. However, there was the wildcard of the events in the cafe that could disrupt his momentum. Gore was pressing his message, voters wanted change, a break from Bush and he would deliver it. Surely, he could win this?



No, he didn't. The results came in, and they looked good for Clinton. She was beating the polls, and beating Gore. Gore soon realize things weren't going as planned. "Well" he said, disappointed "it's onto Nevada."

New Hampshire primary-Democratic

Hillary Clinton-40% 10 delegates

Al Gore-38% 9 delegates

John Edwards-15% 3 delegates

Like it, well researched and nice pictures.

Thanks. I used Game Change by Mark Halperin and John Heileman, it is very informative on the 2008 election and for the events of 2009 I have The Promise by Jonathan Alter which was IOTL about Obama's first year as President.

[lordroel]

Jan 26, 2017 22:22:00 GMT pericles said:

Jan 26, 2017 21:30:14 GMT lordroel said:

Like it, well researched and nice pictures.

Thanks. I used Game Change by Mark Halperin and John Heileman, it is very informative on the 2008 election and for the events of 2009 I have The Promise by Jonathan Alter which was IOTL about Obama's first year as President.

Well this timeline might be somewhat better than the OTL we live in.

[pericles]

GOING SOUTH 

Al Gore's candidacy took a battering after his surprise New Hampshire loss​ 

The Gore team was in shock after losing New Hampshire. They had really thought they were winning there. Now, Hillary had her momentum back. Gore was frustrated and angry. "How did we lose this?!" The team was disappointed and frustrated. They felt they had lost their chance to lock up the race "We were wasting our time in New Hampshire" Brazile moaned. "Nonsense" Axelrod told her "We could have had it. Hillary's surge though, in the end, scrambled it. We're looking good in Nevada and on Super Tuesday. We can win this guys." The troops rallied for Nevada. Yes, they had lost, but New Hampshire was always going to be hard for them. Nevada, that was territory they could easily win on. Nevada was a caucus state. It was easily winnable for Gore. He was bolstered by the endorsement of the Culinary Workers Union there. The Clinton campaign, despite its upset win, was in bad shape, nearly broke and riven by internal discord. Gore was going to focus on kitchen-table issues, with the subprime mortgage crisis ravaging Nevada, and win.

Al Gore flew to Nevada the day after his New Hampshire loss. Polling in the state was rare and unreliable. A poll taken on January 14 showed 11% Edwards, 37% Gore and 39% Clinton. Gore, at a press conference in Reno, declared "We are going to run a campaign focused on the issues. The Clintons can throw mud at us, but it won't work." The Clintons intended to do just that. Bill Clinton diminished Gore's role in the 1990s, saying "Compared to Hillary, he had very little role in my administration" and that "he was a disappointment, as Vice-President and in 2000." Gore fired back, attacking the Hillarycare push in the 1990s "We saw, in the 1990s, how Hillary Clinton did. She did terribly. She had all the opportunities to pass into law, finally, universal healthcare in this country, and Hillarycare was a complete failure. It didn't even come up for a vote. She owns that. And so we shouldn't repeat that failure but go with a candidate who can get things done." It was a full-on grudge match. Gore said at a campaign stop "I stood by Bill clinton, and frankly, I was very disappointed with his behavior in the Oval Office. I feel that was a betrayal, and I think we should move on from that as a nation." In the end, Bill Clinton, sensing Nevada was loss, tried to allege that the contest was rigged "all these culinary workers were mobbing us, telling us they didn't care what the union wanted them to do, they were gonna caucus for Hillary. There was a representative of the organisation(the Culinary Workers Union) following along behind us, going up to everybody who said that, saying 'If you're not gonna vote for our guy, we're going to give you a schedule so you can't be there.'" That a union representative would engage in such behavior within earshot of a former President was absurd. But Clinton was muddying the waters. Gore's communications manager Kalee Kreider responded soon afterwards, expressing "disgust at the attempt of Mr Clinton to dismiss the will of Nevada voters and make up unfounded stories to harm the election process." Indeed, the results soon proved Clinton's move was necessary. Al Gore won.

Nevada caucuses-Democratic
Al Gore-50% 14 delegates
Hillary Clinton-46% 11 delegates
John Edwards-4%

The endorsement of twice-failed presidential candidate John Edwards could be critical in the 2008 race ​ 

John Edwards was now ignored by the pundits. He had been humiliated in Nevada, and his vote total were rapidly plummeting to 0. He however could still influence the race. Edwards had support with the white-working class vote. Gore desperately wanted that support, and so did Clinton. Gore wanted Edwards' endorsement, so he could grab his support and offset Clinton's strong minority support. Especially in the coming South Carolina primary, Edwards' support, if it went to Gore, could boost him to enable Gore to prevent a big win by Clinton. Edwards dispatched Leo Hindery to make offers to the Gore team. Hindery emailed Tom Daschle "John will settle for attorney general." Daschle and Goreland were not prepared to do that. Gore was disdainful of Edwards. But he was prepared to get his endorsement. Edwards told Gore he wanted to make poverty a centerpiece of his agenda as president. Gore was fine with that, at least to Edwards "Sure, poverty is a very important issue to me. I care deeply about it." He even offered that Edwards could be his 'poverty adviser' as President. Gore offered Edwards a prime-time DNC speaking slot. It wasn't much, but Edwards didn't have many cards to play. Gore assured Edwards that he could have a role in his administration, perhaps even attorney general, though "I 'aint going to make any hard and fast promises to you, John." John Edwards was satisfied. On February 20, John Edwards appeared at a rally with Al Gore. "I am suspending my campaign, and endorsing Vice-President Gore. Al is a true champion of working Americans, he is the leader America needs. Al Gore will end the poverty in America, the poverty of deprivation, the poverty of ideas, and the poverty of leadership. And I am proud to be endorsing Al Gore for President of the United States!"

Hillary and Bill Clinton campaigning in South Carolina​ 

The South Carolina primary was looking good for Hillary Clinton. A poll on January 21 showed her in the lead, 48% Clinton to 36% Gore. Edwards endorsement led to a surge in support for Gore, but Clinton was still in the lead. The majority African-american electorate enthusiastically backed Clinton. African-Americans had always backed the Clintons, Bill Clinton had even been referred to by some as 'the first black President.' All Gore was hoping for was to cut into her lead with that demographic so she would not be able to ride to victory with African-American and minority votes. Gore decided to spent just January 21 and January 22 in South Carolina, for the debate at Myrtle Beach and the next day. Then Gore could move onto Super Tuesday states such as California and Illinois. The Myrtle Beach debate was dirty and brutal. Clinton started off reprimanding Gore for "attacking President Clinton's record in the 1990s, and attacking his character, Given what he has given you and given this country, I find that shameful and wrong." Gore replied "Senator Clinton, you love to look back to the 1990s. I liked the 1990s, they were a good time. But we can't be looking back, we need to look forward to the 21st century. And what's your vision for our future, Seantor? I have one, you don't. While you were voting for George Bush's war and his agenda, I was out there fighting for climate action, against the war, for a progressive vision for our country." The crowd oohed and aahed, they were getting the death match they wanted. Gore fired back at Clinton "This is the type of politics they engage in. Politics for its own sake. It doesn't matter what the facts are. It didn't matter that I won Nevada, because it was somehow rigged. Climate change, the Iraq War, a stagnant middle-class, it doesn't matter to them, they are in it for themselves. And I am fighting for a positive vision and future for our country." Clinton rebutted "You're the opposite of the future, Al." Gore fired back "Your future isn't my future, Hillary. And, unlike you, my future is a future for the American people, a future we can be proud of." "Look at my record" Clinton replied "When I was there in the 1990s" Gore interrupted "You failed. I was there." After the debate, Gore felt good. "I really got my point across there, didn't I?"

Gore left South Carolina soon afterwards, leaving surrogates to campaign there. In Illinois he held rallies with Senator Barack Obama. National polling showed a tight race. The RCP polling average on the 25th had Gore getting 41.6% to Clinton's 44.1% nationally. Gore was not ready to lift up his mood. South Carolina was still going for Hillary, and it was looking like a wipeout. Bill Clinton was attacking him, diminishing his record and career. Polls showed Gore heading for a potential curbstomping with African-Americans. It hurt. However, the big picture was looking bright. Super Tuesday was closing in, and Gore was well-positioned there. South Carolina would be an initial test of how strong his position really was.

South Carolina primary-Democratic
Hillary Clinton-59% 27 delegates
Al Gore-41% 18 delegates

Delegate count before Super Tuesday
Hillary Clinton-63
Al Gore-57

[pericles]

SUPER TUESDAY 

 

Al Gore campaigns in Illinois with Illinois Senator Barack Obama​ 

Al Gore made the final push for Super Tuesday. He barnstormed the key states in the final week before the vote on February 5. He campaigned in Illinois with Senator Barack Obama, before heading to California, and then to Clinton territory in New York, then to Kansas and then his home-state of Tennessee. Polls showed the race was at a dead heat. The Gore campaigns delegate projections put them ever so slightly ahead due to their caucus advantage, but even a 1% or 2% shift would flip it around. Gore's fear was that if Clinton could hold her own with college-educated whites in states like California and Illinois, and win blowout margins with African-Americans, his path to victory would be extinguished. If Gore could win big with whites and make it close with African-Americans, there was the chance he could sweep the board. Gore had an edge with his superior ground game. He had been quietly building his infrastructure in caucus and primary states since the beginning of 2007. In such a close race, that could give him the upper hand. If not, it could ensure he, unlike Clinton, would be able to last long after Super Tuesday.  

Two disputed primaries could have a major impact on the race. Florida and Michigan had pushed their primaries ahead of the calendar, and in punishment were deprived of their delegates by the DNC. Gore and Clinton had opted to stay in for both contests. The media now labelled them 'beauty contests'. Gore had won Michigan, while Clinton won Florida.  

Michigan primary-Democratic 

Al Gore-47% 73 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-38% 55 delegates 

Florida primary-Democratic 

Hillary Clinton-52% 100 delegates 

Al Gore-45% 85 delegates 

(In italics are the delegates that would have been awarded) 

Gore would have gotten 158 delegates, while Clinton would have gotten 155 delegates. It was a virtual tie. Both candidates lobbied for their delegate slates to be counted, the Gore campaign backed Michigan's appeal against the DNC, while ignoring Florida's appeal. Clinton did the opposite. If the race finished early, like most years, then it would be no big deal to all but the most obsessed political junkies. But this race was close(similar to the 2000 election in that regard). And so as the race progressed the scepter of a delegate fight hung over the candidates and the Democratic party. 

Senator Hillary Clinton campaigns in Tennessee for Super Tuesday, the day that could make or break her candidacy​ 

The final days saw a frentic rush across the country for both candidates. Polls showed a late surge for Gore. Endorsements started to flow in for the Gore camp. The mood in Goreland was nervous, the last time they had been an extremely close election it had not come out well. Still, Gore could sense in the crowds, they thought he was going to win, they were hopeful. Super Tuesday, on February 5, was the test. 

Alabama primary-Democratic 

Hillary Clinton-55% 28 delegates 

Al Gore-43% 24 delegates 

Alaska caucuses-Democratic 

Al Gore-65% 8 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-34% 5 delegates 

American Samoa caucus-Democratic 

Al Gore-52% 2 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-47% 1 delegate 

Arizona primary-Democratic 

Al Gore-47% 29 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-45% 27 delegates 

Arkansas primary-Democratic 

Hillary Clinton-74% 28 delegates 

Al Gore-22% 7 delegates 

California primary-Democratic 

Al Gore-50% 201 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-44% 169 delegates 

Colorado caucuses-Democratic 

Al Gore-58% 32 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-41% 23 delegates 

Connecticut primary-Democratic 

Al Gore-53% 26 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-45% 22 delegates 

Delaware primary-Democratic 

Hillary Clinton-48% 8 delegates 

Al Gore-47% 7 delegates 

Georgia primary-Democratic 

Hillary Clinton-58% 51 delegates 

Al Gore-39% 36 delegates 

Idaho caucuses-Democratic 

Al Gore-80% 10 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-17% 2 delegates 

Illinois primary-Democratic 

Al Gore-52% 81 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-46% 72 delegates 

Kansas caucuses-Democratic 

Al Gore-64% 14 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-36% 7 delegates 

Massachusetts primary-Democratic 

Al Gore-49% 47 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-48% 46 delegates 

Minnesota caucuses-Democratic 

Al Gore-69% 50 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-29% 22 delegates 

Missouri primary-Democratic 

Al Gore-53% 40 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-44% 32 delegates 

New Jersey primary-Democratic 

Hillary Clinton-50% 55 delegates 

Al Gore-48% 53 delegates 

New Mexico primary-Democratic 

Hillary Clinton-49% 13 delegates 

Al Gore-48% 13 delegates 

New York primary-Democratic 

Hillary Clinton-55% 128 delegates 

Al Gore-45% 104 delegates 

North Dakota caucuses-Democratic 

Al Gore-61% 8 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-37% 5 delegates 

Oklahoma primary-Democratic 

Al Gore-46% 20 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-40% 18 delegates 

Tennessee primary-Democratic 

Al Gore-56% 41 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-38% 27 delegates 

Utah primary-Democratic 

Al Gore-59% 15 delegates 

Hillary Clinton-41% 8 delegates 

Delegate count after Super Tuesday 

Al Gore-921 

Hillary Clinton-858 

Al Gore had won. He had a small delegate lead, but it was enough. The next stream of contests looked good for him. It was very likely now that he would end up as the Democratic nominee. And the Democratic nominee in 2008 would very likely end up as President of the United States. Al Gore declared, which was partly accurate, that "this is a new day for our party and a new day for our country. Thank you for this great victory! We are going to win back the White House!"

[stevep]

well if its close and the disputed counts in Florida and Michigan would make a difference then I could see the Republicans seeking to make capital out of it. However if Gore can pull away then it could be over long before then. At least with the two states being so close in total its unlikely to make an effective difference.

[pericles]

BLOWOUTS AND BLOWUPS 

Former Vice-President Al Gore campaigning in Louisiana following his Super Tuesday win​ 

Al Gore was rejuvenated after Super Tuesday. Finally, he was calmly confident. He told his campaign team "We did a great job. If we keep on the path we're going, we have this thing." The next contests, many of them in very white caucus states, were friendly to Gore. The media too was crowning Gore the likely nominee. George W Bush marveled to reporters "I guess history does repeat itself." National polls showed Gore in the lead. Money started pouring in for Gore, while Clinton was forced to loan money to her near-bankrupt campaign. The primary results afterwards were good for Gore.
Louisiana primary-Democratic
Hillary Clinton-50% 30 delegates
Al Gore-43% 26 delegates

Nebraska caucuses-Democratic
Al Gore-63% 11 delegates
Hillary Clinton-37% 5 delegates

Washington state caucuses-Democratic
Al Gore-58% 45 delegates
Hillary Clinton-41% 33 delegates

On February 10, Gore followed it up with a win in the Maine caucuses.

Maine caucuses-Democratic
Al Gore-57% 14 delegates
Hillary Clinton-42% 10 delegates

February 12 was more fiercely contested. It was the Potomac primaries. Those states had more African-Americans, and Clinton looked to win states like Maryland and Virginia. Gore saw a chance to give Clinton a knock out blow.

Democrats Abroad primary
Al Gore-56% 4 delegates
Hillary Clinton-42% 3 delegates

Maryland primary-Democratic
Hillary Clinton-50% 36 delegates
Al Gore-47% 34 delegates

Virginia primary-Democratic
Hillary Clinton-53% 44 delegates
Al Gore-46% 39 delegates

Washington DC primary-Democratic
Hillary Clinton-54% 9 delegates
Al Gore-45% 6 delegates

Delegate count after February 12
Al Gore-1,100
Hillary Clinton-1,028

Hillary Clinton had failed to get the big wins she needed. Gore had a lead of 72 delegates, which was in fact a very slight increase from his lead after Super Tuesday. On February 19, Hawaii and Wisconsin would cast their ballots. But that was a precursor to Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont on March 4, a quadruple whammy that would likely make or break both candidates. Gore was in a celebratory mood after his recent wins. He declared "The politics of failure are being rolled back. With it, we are rolling back the stagnation of our middle class, rolling back a failed war, and rolling back the rise of the seas that dooms our planet." Of course, Republicans and some in the media mocked Gore for his apparent claim to be rolling back climate change with his primary victories. Gore told reporters, unusually relaxed "Don't worry, I haven't rolled it back yet. But I will."

 

The shocking accusation of sexual assault, shown here on the National Enquirer, threatened to blow up Al Gore's candidacy​ 

Al Gore was not allowed rest. On February 15, all hell broke loose. Masseuse Molly Hagerty claimed the former Vice-President had groped and sexually assaulted her in 2006. Hagerty claimed that Gore, under the alias 'Mr Stone' attempted to get sexual favors from her and forced her hand down into his crotch. Hagerty filed a report with the police in Portland, Oregon, who started an investigation into the matter. The news instantly blew up across the political landscape. The media was filled with wall to wall coverage of the case. The Gore campaign, at 2:30 pm in the afternoon, hours after the story came out, sent out a press release. Gore "unequivocally denies" the accusations, said that while he did get a massage "he does not have any recollection of Ms Hagerty", and that the accusation of sexual assault is "totally false, and has utterly baffled Vice-President Gore. This campaign hopes we can focus on the issues, and not on tabloid gossip."

Gore campaign manager Donna Brazile(above) accused the Clinton campaign of orchestrating the allegations​ 

Like Gore, the media expressed disbelief at the story. Fortunately for Gore, the account did not fit the public view of him as a calm and kind person who was above such behavior. The media and the Gore campaign also cast doubt on Hagerty's story, pointing out her erratic behavior and that she had not reported the matter with police at the time. She had previously raised the matter in late 2006 but had then cancelled meetings with investigators before making it a civil case. There were also other contradictions in the story. The Gore campaign raised the matter that Hagerty had been paid $500,000 for the story by the National Enquirer. Hillary Clinton tread carefully on the case, and said "I find these accusations horrifying and hard to believe. I doubt that Mr Gore has engaged in this kind of behavior and I hope the matter is handled professionally by the Portland police and appropriate authorities."

Gore did not believe her. Assembling his campaign team in the war room, he lashed out. He blamed Clinton for orchestrating the accusation, in an attempt to derail him ahead of the Wisconsin primary. "The Clintons had [Paula] Jones and [Juanita] Broaddrick. They have the baggage. They're trying to pass it onto me. What garbage! Utter garbage! We can't let them get away with this!" Gore would not say that in public himself. However, his campaign manager Donna Brazile raised the possibility on February 16. she said "I find it suspicious that this woman comes out with this story just days before the pivotal Wisconsin primary. Don't you? I think this has other hands on it. I understand our opponents are desperate to derail us, we're winning the primaries and we're winning in the polls. But come on, find something better than this tabloid trash!" The same day Al Gore was interviewed by the Portland PA.

Voting takes place for the Wisconsin Democratic primary, on February 19​ 

The public did not seem to believe the accusation. Gore on the campaign trail issued an emphatic denial, declaring "I promise you, I would never, ever commit the types of actions that you are hearing. That people think so, and are saying so, is wrong and outrageous. We should not believe these disgraceful lies, and I promise to continue to fight for the future of this country." A poll on February 18 showed 28% of respondents believed the story, 60% did not and 12% were unsure. Liberals were divided on how to approach the accusations, but most ultimately chose to give Gore the benefit of the doubt. Rumors continued to swirl that the Clinton campaign was responsible, and some speculated it would ultimately hurt Clinton, not Gore. Then, on February 19, the votes decided.

Hawaii caucuses-Democratic
Al Gore-66% 13 delegates
Hillary Clinton-34% 7 delegates

Wisconsin primary-Democratic
Al Gore-55% 41 delegates
Hillary Clinton-44% 33 delegates

Delegate count after February 19
Al Gore-1,154
Hillary Clinton-1,068


Gore had won again, with a double digit win in Wisconsin. His delegate lead had widened further. The public seemed to have believed him and trusted in his character. "Thank you! Thank you! I am so honored and humbled to have your trust and your vote. We are going to win the Democratic nomination and presidency of the United States. And I promise to be your President and be a President for you that you can be proud of." The crowd cheered. Gore looked to March 4, ever mindful on the oncoming bombshells and blowups as he pushed ever closer to the nomination. Still, he had come this far. Now it required one final push.

[lordroel]

Jan 29, 2017 7:47:34 GMT pericles said:

while Clinton was forced to loan money to her near-bankrupt campaign. The primary results afterwards were good for Gore.

That is a big difference for OTL that the Clintons are out of money.

[stevep]

Well that scahule came as a surprise but, from what little I know of Gore I would suspect it was dodgy as well. Especially given the way the woman waits so long before making it public just when it would hurt Gore the most.

As Lordroel says if the Clinton's are low on cash that could be a fatal blow.

[pericles]

SUPER TUESDAY II 

Senator Hillary Clinton campaigns for her last stand in the Lone Star state​ 

Gore's delegate lead was looking increasingly insurmountable. The Democrats used a system of proportional delegate allocation, so even if Gore lost he would still get almost as many delegates as Clinton provided he got a respectable share of the vote. This meant that Clinton would only be able to make small net gains in delegates and struggle to break through. Clinton floated the possibility of superdelegates 'breaking the tie', however Gore and Clinton were tied in how many superdelegates they had/. More and more establishment Democrat superdelegates were going to Gore by the day. On March 4 a total of 303 delegates would be awarded in 'Super Tuesday II'. Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and Vermont would cast their ballots. If Hillary Clinton was to have any chance, she needed to win the day there. Gore saw the chance to end the primaries and her bid for the presidency once and for all. Polls showed Gore leading narrowly in Ohio, which was whiter demographically so better for him, and in a dead heat in Texas. Gore had Rhode Island and Vermont, Ohio too was likely in his corner. Gore said on Meet the Press on the 20th that "I think we can win and win big. I'm aiming for all four states, and I want to win a sweep and win the nomination." He meant it.

Democratic frontrunner Al Gore faced tough scrutiny about his record, including the sexual assault investigation he faced, shown here at a Meet the Press interview​ 

Al Gore was getting increased scrutiny. The media, fearing the race was wrapping up, scrutinised Gore harder. The electability argument was increasingly used against Gore. Clinton pointed to polls showing that she did better in the general election than Gore, and that his favorability ratings were underwater. Among the general public Gore was relatively unpopular, with those who disliked him equal to or greater than those who liked him. Several pundits compared him, with his taking of liberal positions, to McGovern and Dukakis. A new article was published, litigating the inaccuracies and dubious information in An Inconvenient Truth. Gore shrugged it off, saying "Climate change deniers must be getting desperate if this is all they have." Hillary Clinton however joined in, and said "Al Gore's misuse of the truth and facts is harmful to our political discourse and constructive efforts to combat climate change." A Gore email was leaked by Republicans, with him saying "We can use the climate change issue for political solvency. Climate change activism is an essential component of our campaign strategy." Republicans attacked him, arguing that he was admitting to using the climate change issue not for the future of the planet but for his own presidential bid. Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner declared "It is abundantly clear Al Gore doesn't really care for our planet, only for his shallow political interests." Democrats did not make so much hay of it, even Clinton defended him, saying "Republicans will find anything to distract us from the real issues. I hope we can fight an election based on the issues." Gore said the email was "utterly useless and trivial" and expressed disappointment that the discourse was so 'unserious'. Gore campaigned as an anti-NAFTA candidate in Ohio, vowing to renegotiate the controversial deal, though saying he supported the 'thrust' of it. Clinton outright called him a 'liar', using his debate with Perot in 1993 and enthusiastic past support of free trade agianst him. Despite that, Al Gore retained a lead in Ohio.

The Al Gore sexual assault saga continued to unravel ahead of the March 4 primaries​ 

Al Gore was not out of the woods yet on sexual assault. On February 23, the presidential candidate was interviewed by police investigators. The media swarmed all over it, and the Clinton campaign crowed "How can we win with a candidate who is under criminal investigation?" However, reports showed the authorities did not believe there was "valid evidence to indicate sexual assault and nothing available at this point to indict Mr Gore." Hagerty regardless began taking interviews, in a bid to undermine Gore's candidacy. She described Gore as a "crazed sex poodle", a "creep" and "a monstrous creature." Still, the media dismissed her case, attacking her behavior and motives and many expressed bewilderment that Al Gore could possibly be the creature she was describing. It just wasn't him! Some liberals fired back at the media coverage, with The Nation describing it as a "classic case of victim-blaming" and a "perfect example of why victims of sexual assault don't come forward." Still, the public wasn't buying the accusations, though some rabid Gore haters eagerly devoured the speculation and vitriol on the supermarket tabloids.

Al Gore campaigning ahead of Super Tuesday II, with the (metaphorical) wind at his back​ 

That wouldn't stop Al Gore. He had the momentum in the race. Hillary Clinton was making her last stand, as attack ads ripped into him. The Gore train was racing ahead. The RCP polling average on march 1 showed Gore leading nationally, with 50.0% support to Clinton's 43.3%. Gore was pressing on kitchen-table issues in the final days. He was a populist, attacking OPEC for high oil prices, attacking Wall Street for the subrpime mortgage crisis and Washington for stagnant wages. Clinton fired back "You've been in Washington all your life!" Gore quipped "Unlike you, I was never 'co-President'!" Gore declared, to a crowd of Ohio manufacturing workers "I am on your side!" The Gore campaign's confidence showed when Donna Brazile told reporters "I think it's a near certainty we will win the nomination."

Ohio primary-Democratic
Al Gore-52% 73 delegates
Hillary Clinton-46% 68 delegates

Rhode Island primary-Democratic
Al Gore-56% 12 delegates
Hillary Clinton-42% 9 delegates

Texas primary-Democratic
Al Gore-49% 63 delegates
Hillary Clinton-49% 63 delegates

Vermont primary-Democratic
Al Gore-66% 10 delegates
Hillary Clinton-32% 5 delegates

Delegate count after March 4
Al Gore-1,312
Hillary Clinton-1,213

Al Gore had extended his lead and swept up. Texas had been by the skin of his teeth, but even that obstacle had been cleared. His nomination was all but assured. Hillary Clinton's fate was uncertain, she refused to say whether she would continue. Al Gore triumphantly declared "We have done it! You know, Bill Clinton used to be the Comeback Kid, but it's time for him to move over. We are going to win the White House and make America great again! I hope you all join me on this journey!" There was still the hurdle of the Republicans to clear though.

[pericles]

PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE 

  

Albert Arnold Gore Junior, the presumptive nominee of the Democratic party and frontrunner to be the 44th US President​ 

After March 4, it was clear Al Gore would be the Democratic nominee. Tim Russert said on primary night "We now know who the Democratic nominee is going to be and no one is going to dispute it." Al Gore was confident too, and Donna Brazile told reporters the next day "I can say that, almost certainly, Al Gore will be the Democratic nominee." Hillary Clinton would need a dramatic surge in support to overtake Gore in the coming primaries, when, if anything, the opposite was happening. National polls showed Gore's lead in the high single digits, some even stretching into double-digit margins. Superdelegates could not save Clinton either, Gore now had a rising lead with superdelegates over her. Bombshells would not sink Gore. The clean as a whistle Gore had been hit with a bombshell in the sexual assault allegations, but that had either not hurt him or even helped his campaign. Hillary Clinton saw that she had lost. Clinton hoped to negotiate with Gore to get him to help her with her campaign debt, given the divisive primary, Gore needed her help in uniting the party whole-heartedly behind him in the general. It had been a bitter primary, but Gore was the winner. However, Gore only agreed to help with a small fraction of her debt. On March 12, she conceded regardless. She congratulated Al Gore on his victory, saying "I would not wish to stay in and divide our party when I could not win. I throw my full support behind Al Gore, and I urge you to get out there and make Al Gore the next President of the United States!" She said "We may not have cracked that highest, hardest glass ceiling, but thanks to you, we have put millions and millions of cracks in it, and the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time." And with that, Hillary Clinton ended her campaign, and to most observers her hopes of being President(though some speculated she could run again). Al Gore was the presumptive Democratic nominee.

 

Al Gore at a fundraiser in March 2008, imploring donors to refill his campaign's coffers​ 

Al Gore now could enter the general election and confront the Republicans. The first challenge was fundraising. Al Gore had spent most of his money on the primary battle. He needed to fill up his coffers again, and quick, before the Republicans could swift-boat him. Al Gore would spend the rest of March out of the public eye, travelling the country to get donations to his campaign. The Gore campaign also figured out a new innovation. Based on Howard Dean's 2004 campaign, they would use the Internet to raise money. Gore was out of the public eye, temporarily shielded from the media firestorm, but he was not wasting his time. Millions of dollars were coming in. Goreland was astonished by the success of their Internet fundraising. Gore's coffers were soon refilled and ready to battle. The Gore campaign was now ready for battle.

Gore had a weak image with the general public. A plurality of voters recorded having unfavorable opinions of Gore. A Gallup poll in March 2008 showed 46% of Americans had a favorable view of him and 40% of Americans had an unfavorable view of him. Gore had gone through a bruising primary fight. He was personally distrusted by much of the electorate, and many people found him abrasive and unlikable. His message resonated more, America did need change and they thought Gore would be a good President, But the thought of him as President wasn't comforting. Kreider told Gore "We need to put in a new face and calm people's doubts." Gore had the chance now to define himself as he chose. Gore was also hurt by the perception among some voters he was too liberal, having taken liberal positions in the primary. Republicans spread those doubts, an RNC memo on April 1, leaked to the media, painted Gore as "climate extremist-hurt him on coal, dove-soft on terror, tax and spend liberal, anti-business, too far left." It was what Gore had feared when he had entered the primary. Gore quickly sought to pivot to the general, and mounted an attack on the Republicans "I am not on the far-left. It may look that way though, because the Republicans are so far to the right. And where has that gotten us? Their extremism, their failures, have given us two wars, thousands of our troops dead in a war caused by a lie, a city drowned, gas prices at all time highs, middle-class families hit by a recession caused by far-right policies. And we need change, we need to turf out the Republicans and shift this country back to where we were before the disasters of George Bush." Gore didn't want to run on an ideological manifesto. He wanted to run on who he was not, George W Bush. With Bush's approval rating at 30%, that would be a wise choice.

A poster showing Al Gore's 2008 slogan, having stumbled upon it it summed up his message​ 

Al Gore now shifted to getting a message for the general. They tested several different slogans, but found a common theme among focus groups. Voters thought the country was going in the wrong direction, that things had been better before. America had been great before, but not anymore. One woman put it thusly "Things were so good before, in the 1990s, but we've just been getting worse and worse. Somebody needs to make America great again." That's it! It was like a scene in a comic book or cartoon where the lightbulb appears above the character's head. Gore decided he should pick his slogan as "Make America Great Again." It had been Reagan's 1980 slogan, and he had won big. And in 1992 Bill Clinton had used it too. Some advisers raised doubts, couldn't the Republicans use it to attack Gore as unpatriotic? The slogan tested well though. With Bush's approval rating at 30%, and over 70% of American saying the country was on the wrong track, it was a message that would resonate. Gore could use it to paint the Republicans as the status-quo and so drag them down with Bush. It was decided. Al Gore would Make America Great Again. And so Al Gore got into the ring for the general election battle. Would this time be third time lucky?

[lordroel]

Feb 1, 2017 4:35:13 GMT pericles said:

A poster showing Al Gore's 2008 slogan, having stumbled upon it it summed up his message​ 

Well at lease somebody else will not use this slogan in the future.

[stevep]

Feb 1, 2017 4:41:03 GMT lordroel said:

Feb 1, 2017 4:35:13 GMT pericles said:

A poster showing Al Gore's 2008 slogan, having stumbled upon it it summed up his message​ 

Well at lease somebody else will not use this slogan in the future.

  Why not?  OTL it was used by Reagan and Clinton so Trump hasn't problems with recycling slogans.  Although it might be that with Gore rather than Obama, at least in 2008, you might not get Trump running, or quickly disappearing in a sea of laughter.

[lordroel]

Feb 1, 2017 18:19:40 GMT stevep said:

Feb 1, 2017 4:41:03 GMT lordroel said:

Well at lease somebody else will not use this slogan in the future.

  Why not?  OTL it was used by Reagan and Clinton so Trump hasn't problems with recycling slogans.  Although it might be that with Gore rather than Obama, at least in 2008, you might not get Trump running, or quickly disappearing in a sea of laughter.

Well that is true, it seems that Trump has already planned to use for his 2020 campaign a slogan that comes from a horror movie called The Purge: Election Year, the Slogan is “Keep America Great”, this slogan might also be good for Gore to use if he is successful as president.