Al Gore's Friends and Former Aides Eyeing 2016 Race

— -- A one-time high-ranking political adviser to Al Gore tells ABC News that a group of friends and former aides are having a “soft conversation” about the possibility that Gore run for president in 2016.

The adviser cautions that there have been no formal or even informal moves by Gore himself -– but that the former vice president has not ruled out anything. This was first reported by BuzzFeed.

Gore ran for president in 2000 and was successful in clinching the Democratic nomination, but ultimately lost the general election to George W. Bush.

This comes, of course, as the current vice president, Joe Biden, spends time with family this month mulling his own bid.

The Gore conversations are not as far along as those for Biden, who has also not ruled out a run.

It’s all against the backdrop of growing concern in the Democratic Party about Hillary Clinton’s candidacy.

A poll this week in New Hampshire had her trailing Bernie Sanders, the first time a major poll this election cycle has shown anyone other than Hillary Clinton to be leading the field.

A Gore spokeswoman told the Tennessean newspaper that the former vice president is not exploring a run.