Will Nobel Nod Spur Gore's '08 Run?
Former vice president goes from political pariah to "Gore-acle."
Oct. 12, 2007 — -- Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and the U.N. climate panel won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for their international work as crusaders for climate change.
Gore's panel walked away with the Nobel nod -- and $1.5 million dollar prize -- over 181 other nominees.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said global warming, "may induce large-scale migration and lead to greater competition for the earth's resources. Such changes will place particularly heavy burdens on the world's most vulnerable countries. There may be increased danger of violent conflicts and wars, within and between states."
In a statement Friday morning Gore said he was "deeply honored" by the Nobel award and reiterated his charge.
"We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest opportunity to lift global consciousness to a higher level," Gore said.
While the eight Democrats vying for the presidential nomination scramble around the country seeking the office he aspired to as many years ago, Gore's 2007 has been a breezy stroll down the red carpet, and a near endless loop of will-he-or-won't-he speculation surrounding a potential second run for the White House.
For the former vice president's legion of grassroots supporters, the suspense has been agony as they wait for the "Gore-acle" to divine, what they deem to be, an infallible political future.
After the Oscars, the Emmys, the release of yet another book and the Live Earth concerts on July 7, Friday's long-awaited, much-anticipated Nobel Peace Prize announcement could provide the most "climatic" and climactic opportunity to date for the Democratic presidential nominee of 2000 to announce White House intentions for 2008.
Former Gore strategist Chris Lehane said though his former boss's entrance to the presidential race would be more than fashionably late, he "would be uniquely positioned" if he chose to contest the Democratic nomination.
There are, Lehane said, "few people like him in name ID, with a base of support, who have the experience of having run before," all qualities that "would allow him to get into the game much later than anyone else."
Still, Lehane cautioned, "There are a couple basic logistical challenges," particularly fundraising, staffing and "items as simple as qualifying for the ballot."
For the most part, Lehane dismisses the notion of a Gore candidacy.
"Never say never in politics," Lehane said, but insists Gore is "happy and comfortable with where he is right now, appreciates that he is having a huge impact, and recognizes once you become a candidate that changes."
ABC News consultant Donna Brazile, who managed Gore's 2000 bid, shares the sentiment that the former vice president could have one-of-a-kind appeal in the candidate pool.
"Al Gore will always be a viable contender as long as he's alive and has the desire," said Brazile. "I don't believe the Nobel Prize will alter his current plans or what he's doing now in terms of climate change."
Related Stories
ABC News Live