The Goreacle Speaks

June 16, 2008— -- His endorsement was coveted during the long primary season and he was courted by the Democratic contenders, yet Al Gore chose to stay on the sidelines until today.

Tonight at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, home of the 2008 Stanley Cup Champions Red Wings, the former Vice President will appear at a rally with presumptive nominee Barack Obama and give him the Goreacle stamp of approval.

In an email to his supporters today, Gore committed to doing everything he can to make sure Obama wins in November and gave his unambiguous endorsement: "On the issues that matter most, Barack Obama is clearly the right choice to lead our nation."

"Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges -- including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America," the former Vice President said.

A few questions:

Why now and not a few weeks ago when Obama was still battling with Hillary Clinton for the nomination? (Remember, Gore is a superdelegate so his endorsement is twice-as-nice.)

Is Gore on that VP list being shopping around by Obama's vetting squad?

How much money will the Obama campaign bring in from the members of AlGore.com?

Gore endorsed Al Franken in the Minnesota Senate race. Will Obama follow his lead? (ABC News' Jake Tapper asked this question today.)

Will we ever see a day of dueling conference calls, with Gore playing surrogate for the Obama campaign and his 2000 running mate Sen. Joe Lieberman doing the same for the McCain campaign?

Speaking in Flint, MI today, Obama said that the Gore endorsement "means a lot" and said the two have been talking throughout the primary season, per ABC News' Sunlen Miller.

"We've had ongoing conversations about a whole host of issues. A lot of them around climate change, energy, and the environment. But you know he's also provided good political advice," Obama said. "[H]e's somebody who has been a visionary but just for the party but the country. And there are very few people who are more knowledgeable than he is on a whole host of issues and challenges we're going to me facing in the years to come."

ABC News' Miller and Nitya Venketaraman report that though the former vice president has been largely invisible from the presidential primary season up until today, "his presence in the party -- that of Democratic heavyweight-cum-Novel Prize-winning environmental crusader-cum-party elder -- always lingered near."

Says media, opponents were distracted while he and Clinton battled. LINK

Obama Talks to Iraq Foreign Minister
Says its time for Iraqis "to start picking up more of the tab." LINK

Obama's Father's Day Message
The Democratic candidate speaks of the importance of being a father. LINK

Political In-Fighting 
Sens. Obama and McCain resume political in-fighting on a familiar theme: Iraq. LINK

Edwards Open to New VP Run?
The former Democratic candidate backs off his comments in El Mundo. LINK

Sunday Sound: Tim Russert Remembered
Sunday Sound: NBC newsman's work remembered by friends and competitors. LINK

Supreme Court a Key '08 Issue
Supreme Court will become a key Nov. issue according to Fred Thompson. LINK