I'm the sort of slow-witted cynic for whom sharing a beer with would be a prime photo-op, like the chumps in all those diners.  I don't think I'd like the full press experience.  On the other hand, drinking with Obama would probably relieve the conversational burden from me, which is a plus, and I'd be entertained.

I liked Gore in 2000.  I doubt he'd go far past Clinton's and Obama's comfortable centrism (including and maybe especially noxiously "tough" foreign policy; he did support Iraq sanctions and Clinton's flyovers, right?)--I also recall he practically had "I support universal health care" wrung out of him in a debate--but I liked his nerdy, stiff, smart attitude, and his enviro concerns.  (Especially in contrast to the retard he debated.)

On the other hand, selling out his passion and wit for electability was probably not difficult for him.  The fact that he's not running for office now has got to "allow" him some release from teh compromising demands of it--that he didn't see some of those compromises as optional, that's really a bad mark on his judgement or a flaw in his character, and for that matter, this is probably part of his political act too.  (But this is what I expect from every last goddamn one of them.)

K

(Lots of good material is up these two days, and I can't seem to make a cogent comment.  Kevin, Schuyler: you were awesome too.  Oh well, time for my beer.)