People close to Al Gore pushed back on a report Thursday that suggested the former vice president was considering running for president in 2016.
An associate of the 67-year-old Gore told CNN that the speculation was “groundless,” and a spokeswoman for Gore added later Thursday that there was “no truth” to the idea he is considering a White House run. A source close to Gore told CNN on Friday, “I am 1000 percent behind Gore but I’ve spoken to him and don’t see any moves for a 2016 run. He’s focused 100 percent on his first love — which is climate.”
Buzzfeed reported that supporters of Gore had begun talking about a possible presidential run, though some Gore advisers poured “lukewarm water” on the speculation.
“This is people talking to people, some of whom may or may not have talked to him,” one Gore adviser told Buzzfeed.
The former vice president lost the race to succeed President Bill Clinton in 2000 — despite winning the popular vote — and would be competing against Clinton’s wife, Hillary, were he to enter the Democratic race.
Hillary Clinton, once seen as holding a commanding position in the primary thanks to her grip on the party’s establishment, has shown growing vulnerabilities in recent weeks. A recent poll showed Clinton losing to her top challenger, Bernie Sanders, in New Hampshire — though a recent CNN/ORC poll showed her comfortably ahead in Iowa — and questions have swirled for months about her use of a private email server as secretary of state.
Also weighing a decision is current Vice President Joe Biden, who is currently on vacation but expected to announce his presidential intentions in weeks.
Since leaving the White House, Gore has become perhaps the most vocal public official sounding the alarm on climate change. He has also led business ventures in media, buying Current TV before it was purchased in 2013 by Al Jazeera.
