After reading the first few dozen pages of his new book The Assault on Reason, I have concluded that America does not deserve him as president. I believe the damage to America is done, and probably irreparable, but I applaud him for soldiering on, and even if he does run, I am not sure the dumbed-down state of American discourse he decries in the book would permit him to flourish the way he should. Ironically, I believe the experiences of 2000 and since would prove him to be a much better candidate, one who fits his potential. The potential we always knew was there, but was frustrated by both his campaign style and the hostile media coverage. There is no reason to believe, even if he ran the most brilliant campaign ever, that the media would be any better this time around. In fact, it may even be worse, or he wouldn't have written the book at all.

I do not see the book as a platform for launching a 2008 campaign. In fact, I see it solidifying his post-professional political resume, along the lines of Jimmy Carter when he got involved with Habitat for Humanity and global peace initiatives. Gore's traction picked up with "An Inconvenient Truth" and gathers momentum with his new book. It will continue, without him seeking elected office of any kind.

I will wait until I finish the book and see if I change my mind. But I doubt it. Al Gore is too good to be president of the United States of America.