Gore in 2004? A Barbara Walters Exclusive Interview
Nov. 15 -- Al Gore is back in the spotlight — stumping for Democratic candidates, challenging President Bush's domestic and foreign policy moves — and perhaps testing the waters for another presidential bid in 2004.
In his first television interview since his crushing defeat to George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential race, Gore, along with his wife Tipper and two of their daughters, talk with Barbara Walters about the gut-wrenching post-election drama and about what comes next.
For two years, Gore has been keeping a low profile. He resurfaced for a bit as a tweed-jacketed, bearded professor. He stepped back into the political spotlight this fall, stumping for Democratic candidates in the midterm elections.
In his campaign swings, Gore appeared much more relaxed promoting other candidates than he had when he was seeking the White House. Often wryly opening his speeches by saying, "I used to be 'the next President of the United States of America'," his campaign appearances are filled with references — both witty and poignant — to the 2000 presidential race. "Every time somebody tells you that your vote doesn't make a difference, tell them to come see me and talk about that," he told an audience at a campaign stop in Iowa.
You Win Some, You Lose Some, and Then …
When voters woke up on the morning after Election Day 2000, there was still no new President-elect. For the next 36 days, the battle to recount votes in Florida transfixed a campaign-weary nation. There were machine recounts and hand recounts; butterfly ballots and dimpled chads. At one point Gore trailed Bush by little more than 300 votes.
The Gores recall election night, and the month of unprecedented uncertainty that followed as an emotional roller coaster. The Gores' 25-year-old daughter Kristin, who'd been active in the campaign, was also in disbelief. "It was pretty devastating. My father and mother were so amazing because I was sort of breaking down ... and they were just very, very strong, and they became parents, you know, they really comforted us," she said.
