# What don't you like about Al Gore? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 28, 2002, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223 "2002-10-28T07:33:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/21 "2002-10-28T19:26:48Z")
> [@](#): > > By Stoid: > …and tried too hard to please people based on poles. I don’t like his stiffness, he’s much better relaxed. Hee, hee, hee! Oh, behave! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/22 "2002-10-28T19:45:00Z")
Poles…sounds like Vlad the Impaler. Now _theres_ Presidential material. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Oblong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@Oblong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblong)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/23 "2002-10-28T19:45:10Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m curious, not nasty, here. > Did you hear him, or do you have a cite? > That’s pretty tacky of him. > Thanks, > CP Here’s a [url=http://www.junkscience.com/july99/alnicfit.htm]source and some text. > [@](#): > > Mr. Gore held the tobacco industry responsible for the death of his older sister, who died of lung cancer in 1984, 20 years after the Surgeon General established the link between smoking and cancer. “Three thousand young people in America will start smoking tomorrow. One thousand of them will die a death not unlike my sister’s,” the vice president inveighed. “And that is why until I draw my last breath, I will pour my heart and soul into the cause of protecting our children from the dangers of smoking. And that is also why I was intensely proud last week when President Clinton stood up for American families by standing up to tobacco advertising aimed at getting our children addicted.” > > Of course, it wasn’t the first time Mr. Gore has displayed his seemingly limitless hypocrisy over tobacco. In his campaign for the presidency in 1988, Mr. Gore breathlessly bragged to North Carolina primary voters about his own experience with the deadly weed: “Throughout most of my life, I raised tobacco. I want you to know that with my own hands I put in the plant beds and transferred it! I’ve hoed it! I’ve chopped it! I’ve shredded it, spiked it, put it in the barn and stripped it and sold it!” For his Senate campaign in 1990, six years after his sister’s death, Mr. Gore gratefully accepted campaign contributions from the political action committees of Philip Morris, Brown and Williams Tobacco Corp., RJR/Nabisco and the Smokeless Tobacco Council. And the vice president acknowledges that for several years after his sister died he continued to cash annual checks from the proceeds of his family’s tobacco farm. I’ve seen this mentioned many other places and have never seen it even attempt to be debunked so I assume it’s true. ---
**Author:** ![Oblong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@Oblong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblong)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/24 "2002-10-28T19:48:20Z")
DOH! [source](http://www.junkscience.com/july99/alnicfit.htm) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/25 "2002-10-28T20:18:26Z")
Sounds like he just said he’d worked for a living like they did. I guess it could come off as an endorsement of cigarettes, but it doesn’t sound like that to me. I still hate the beard, even if he doesn’t have it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cichlidiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f9b8f/32.png) [@cichlidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cichlidiot)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/26 "2002-10-29T00:36:05Z")
I hate to say it, but my initial response is his swaggering. I couldn’t believe it when he chose this as an alternative to appearing wooden. I thought,“How out of touch can one be?” He reminded me a lot of Reagan during the, “I don’t remember, I can’t recall stage,” complete with rosy cheeks. I liked where he stood on a lot of the issues over Bush, but I didn’t like him as a person. Sure I don’t really know him, but with the identity crisis that was his campaign, can you blame me?😕 ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/27 "2002-10-29T01:30:07Z")
Just never had a good feeling about the guy. I voted for him in 2000, but never again. He’s supposed to be some first class debater, but he blew it against Bush. He had a different personality for each of the three debates. Embarrassing. ---
**Author:** ![Oblong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@Oblong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblong)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/28 "2002-10-29T03:18:06Z")
I remember during the 2000 election controversy he and his family were out in the yard “playing football”. I half expected him to start speaking with a Boston accent. I don’t agree with him politically at al but that doesn’t mean I can’t like someone. These are reasons, aside from politics, why I don’t like him. At least with Clinton it’d probably be fun to have a beer with him. ---
**Author:** ![njufoic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/278dde/32.png) [@njufoic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njufoic)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/29 "2002-10-29T04:47:37Z")
I’m a registered Democrat, and I don’t want to vote for Al Gore in 2004. My impression is that he doesn’t really stand for anything; he seems to have few principles of his own that he is willing to hold onto. I’m told that some of his writings imply an almost Naderesque view on environmentalism and such, but I rarely see hints of that in his campaigning. Of course, I’m sure he would claim support for environmental measures if someone asked him, but he doesn’t get out there and make an issue of it. I like someone who is forceful and seems to be speaking his mind, and Gore doesn’t give me that impression. I have a cartoon on my wall that shows two guys in the DNC headquarters. One of them states, “Gore may be entitled to the nomination in '04, so I made some campaign mockups.” He’s holding two signs, which read “Gore: If We Have To” and “Gore '04: What The Heck”. I think this sums up the feelings of most Democrats towards the guy. By the way, Michael Dukakis recently spoke at my college on the subject of universal health care. I am too young to clearly remember the 1988 election, but I can’t imagine what he did to lose it. He was far and away one of the best speakers I have ever heard. I would vote for him for President right now, given the opportunity. -Andrew L ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/30 "2002-10-29T05:32:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cainxinth \* > \*\*Just out of curiosity. \*\* He is teaching here at MTSU, and I work about 30 feet from his classroom. When he has a class in session, the cops and secret service guys block off most of that section of the building. I guess they have decided that the hallway between my office and the lab (where I do most of my work) is vital to national security, and letting me walk down that hallway with a CD-RW or a screwdriver would represent a clear and present danger to Gore, the american people, and democracy itself. At least he isn’t stealing my lunch from the office fridge. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/31 "2002-10-29T06:04:31Z")
I absolutely loved Al Gore in the Senate and he was reelected time and time again by the people of Tennessee. He has qualifications out the wazoo…BUT… I feel like if I tried to put my hand on his shoulder, the hand would just fall straight through. I don’t know who he is anymore. The moment he turned to someone for advice on how to dress, my stomach turned. Give me an HONEST not-for-sale President and I won’t care if he wears pin strips with plaids topped with a polka dot bowtie. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/32 "2002-10-29T06:07:50Z")
(Slight hijack) **Joey** , do they still have the live bait machine in Lavergne? (/slight hijack) ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/33 "2002-10-29T07:19:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoe \* > \*\*(Slight hijack) **Joey** , do they still have the live bait machine in Lavergne? (/slight hijack) \*\* Haven’t heard of it, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/34 "2002-10-29T12:21:44Z")
he is a environmental extreamest with views that I think are dangerous. He changes his tune on core issues due to pressure or polls i.e. (‘abortion is arugably the taking of a human life’ - A.Gore (if you didn’t know) now he is anti-life. He is a crybaby, he lost the election but couldn’t take it as a man and had to legitimize election shenagagans. He comes across as a person who thinks he knows more then the people and must make decisions for them. Thanks for asking ---
**Author:** ![Oblong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@Oblong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblong)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/35 "2002-10-29T13:19:31Z")
> [@](#): > > When he has a class in session, the cops and secret service guys block off most of that section of the building. I thought former VPs didn’t get secret service protection anymore. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/36 "2002-10-29T13:30:33Z")
They’re just guarding the lockbox. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/37 "2002-10-29T13:47:09Z")
Former Ps and VPs do get protection, do they not? ---
**Author:** ![MSU\_1978](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@MSU\_1978](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MSU_1978)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/38 "2002-10-29T15:06:07Z")
I don’t like that he isn’t President. ---
**Author:** ![Hickory6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@Hickory6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hickory6)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/39 "2002-10-29T15:18:47Z")
Oh, I almost forgot– In his September 23rd speech at the Commonwealth club in San Francisco, Al Gore presented us with what I consider to be the most bone-headed, drool-dribbling, idiotic speech in history–and in the process, doubled back again on his own voting record and record as Vice President [http://www.shalomctr.org/html/peace111.html](http://www.shalomctr.org/html/peace111.html) The thing is, as recently as February 2002, he expressed support for the Bush Administrations war plans, endorsed Bush’s characterization of Iraq as part of an “axis of evil” and publically called for “a final reckoning with” Saddam Hussein. [http://www.wsws.org/articles/2002/feb2002/gore-f20.shtml](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2002/feb2002/gore-f20.shtml) His own administration signed a (Daschle-sponsored) bill making “regime change” the official U.S. policy toward Iraq into law in 1998. I guess “official U.S. policy of regime change” means something other than “official U.S. policy of regime change.” The man is really quite shameless. Oh, I almost forgot about the “no controlling legal authority” crap. I always thought Cheney could have scored a telling blow in a debate by saying "I’ll promise the voters one thing–If I should become vice president of the United States, **I** will be a controlling \ legal \ authority. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223/40 "2002-10-29T16:13:24Z")
I dislike it when his coat sleeves ride up and you can see his circuit boards. The guy has the personality of an actuarial table. He’s smart, and his policies are correct (in my view) but dammit, he ain’t Presidential. Here’s hoping that our Pinnochio manages to become a real boy next campaign season, or else that we Democrats nominate someone with a little more zip. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dont-you-like-about-al-gore/134223.md?page=3)