CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In 2008, Al Gore strode onto the stage at Denver’s Invesco Field to a hero's welcome, throwing his support behind Barack Obama to take on the "global climate crisis."
When Obama takes the stage this week, Gore will be nowhere in sight.
(PHOTOS: Scenes from the DNC)
He isn’t coming to the Democratic National Convention but is spending the week in New York City, anchoring coverage of the event for his network Current TV.
Gore's evolution over the past four years — from a central figure in the Democratic Party to a no-show at its biggest event — matches what has happened to the issue of climate change itself, which moved to the sidelines alongside its chief crusader, environmentalists and some Democrats say.
(Also on POLITICO: Rich tradition of awkward candidates)
It’s not like Gore hasn’t noticed — and his frustration with Obama has been on display. He’s leveled criticism at Obama for abandoning the push for a climate change bill. He accused him of failing to use the bully pulpit to spread the word about the dangers of rising global temperatures. And he faulted Obama for putting off tough new smog regulations.
On the other hand, Gore has also offered some defense of Obama’s record and says that “I would fear for the future of our environmental policy” if Mitt Romney wins the election.
DNC 2012: Where's Al Gore? - POLITICO.com
When Obama takes the stage this week, Gore will be nowhere in sight.
(PHOTOS: Scenes from the DNC)
He isn’t coming to the Democratic National Convention but is spending the week in New York City, anchoring coverage of the event for his network Current TV.
Gore's evolution over the past four years — from a central figure in the Democratic Party to a no-show at its biggest event — matches what has happened to the issue of climate change itself, which moved to the sidelines alongside its chief crusader, environmentalists and some Democrats say.
(Also on POLITICO: Rich tradition of awkward candidates)
It’s not like Gore hasn’t noticed — and his frustration with Obama has been on display. He’s leveled criticism at Obama for abandoning the push for a climate change bill. He accused him of failing to use the bully pulpit to spread the word about the dangers of rising global temperatures. And he faulted Obama for putting off tough new smog regulations.
On the other hand, Gore has also offered some defense of Obama’s record and says that “I would fear for the future of our environmental policy” if Mitt Romney wins the election.
DNC 2012: Where's Al Gore? - POLITICO.com