Rumors that Al Gore might win the Nobel Peace Prize put the former Vice President back in the world spotlight today, fueling speculations of another presidential run.
Al Gore, the former Vice President, turned presidential contender, turned documentarian and global activist, was nominated for the Nobel Prize by a member of the Norwegian parliament last February. The committee in Norway will announce its next laureate tomorrow, putting Gore back in the media tornado.
There are 181 organizations and people nominated for the Nobel Prize this year. In the past, prize-winners have been peace keepers -- often doing work that involves violent conflicts -- but, in recent years, the committee has broadened its selections to include other activists.
Gore was nominated for his academy ward winning documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, which helped put global warming on the “global political agenda.” Still, if the committee decides to award its prize to a global activist, Gore won't be the only environmental champion.
Also nominated is the lesser known Sheila Watt-Cloutier – a Canadian environmental activist – and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a UN backed scientific group.
If Gore gets the prize he will be the first American since Jimmy Carter to win, giving way to tremendous bragging rights and media attention. In addition to his Emmy, Oscar, and best selling book, with a Nobel Prize, many speculate, Gore just might have the momentum needed for a serious “force to contend with” run to the white house.
Gore's spokespeople have already responded to press questions, today, saying the former Vice President has no intentions of campaigning, and that he wishes to continue his work on climate issues. But this has led to more rumination on which candidate Gore might endow with an endorsement. The Washington Post weighed in that Sen. Obama or Edwards were likely choices, given Sen. Clinton's vote -- and refusal to recant her vote -- to authorize fore in Iraq.
Today Gore canceled plans to attend a fund raising event for California democrat Barbra Boxer, and a senior level climate control meeting in Asia to, instead, fly to Scandinavia.
“I just got a call from Vice President Al Gore,” Said Sen. Boxer in an announcement on her website. “He told me that he needs to travel abroad for an exciting and urgent mission that could result in a major breakthrough in the fight against global warming.”
The change in plans has led some to wonder if Gore might indeed be the committees choice. The committee refutes this claim, however, saying the prize is voiced to the laureate only minutes before the announcement is made public.
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