Al Gore made a surprise appearance at the Netroots Nation conference in Texas on Saturday, joining Speaker Nancy Pelosi on stage to address progressive activists. "I feel right at home here!" he said as he took the stage, while Pelosi and conference director Gina Cooper looked on. Organizers kept the visit secret all weekend, guarding details as if it were Obama's Middle Eastern CODEL. Rumors only leaked hours before Gore's speech -- and the New York Times Caucus blog picked up chatter on the visit from Twitter updates sent by the tech-savvy crowd.

Gore thanked the several thousand attendees for creating a "movement" that can "reclaim the integrity of American democracy" by fostering a "well-informed citizenry that is involved and engaged." Drawing on the critique of the media and democratic discourse from his book, The Assault on Reason, Gore contrasted the netroots' fact-driven writing and activism with the "malignant manifestation of hunger for power" among corrupt leaders on the right.

Gore devoted the bulk of his remarks to his crusade against global warming, casting it as a moral, economic and security imperative for the United States. He drew several standing ovations from the energetic crowd. Gore urged activists to join his bipartisan campaign at WeCanSolveIt.org. The effort has drawn 1.3 million supporters, he said, with a goal of ten million. "You speak to and influence and connect with so many millions of people," he said to the gathered bloggers, asking for their help in recruiting more bipartisan support for the climate movement.

Gore took open questions from the floor, which focused on climate change, alternative fuels, and the prospect of serving in an Obama administration. He respectfully demurred on the hypothetical of returning to government service, saying "I want to convey my respect for the idea...I really feel the highest and best use of whatever talents and experiences I've gained in my life is to focus on trying to enlarge the political space within which elected officials and cabinet members address this climate crisis." On the other hand, it's hard to imagine a more influential platform to advance those goals than serving as Secretary of State in an Obama administration, where Gore could prioritize climate change in the international portfolio and apply his NSC and VP experience to help end the war responsibly.

Gore also advised against proposals to use coal for automobiles, which would "vastly increase" CO2, in response to a question, drawing more enthusiastic cheers for his wonkery. Pelosi heralded Gore's early work on technology in Congress, saying "without him there would be no Netroots Nation." Anti-war activists also briefly protested during her remarks, saying she should be held accountable for not using her power to end the war.

TODAY: For interested Nation readers, here's a Ustream link for viewing the "War Pundits" panel that I'm moderating today in the 11am hour (Texas time), with Samantha Power, Mark Danner, Greg Mitchell and Joan McCarter.

Comments (40)

1. He "parachuted in" ? I hope he didn't damage the tuba section!!

   Posted by crabwalk at 07/19/2008 @ 11:35am

2. Al Gore is appearing RIGHT NOW at Netroots Nation.

   http://tinyurl.com/5lcv67

   Posted by hsuBfools at 07/19/2008 @ 11:46am

3. Uhmmm:

   As Gore was finally able to begin his address, he thanked the community for the warm address. "You represent the leading edge of that new movement to reclaim American democracy," Gore told the crowd.

   Posted by hsuBfools at 07/19/2008 @ 11:52am

4. Why should anyone be surprised if a fringe nut like Gore joins with the other fringe nuts. Birds of a feather flock together, as they say.

   I'm still waiting for a proposal to use Gore's hot air as a renewable energy source.

   Posted by lvliberty1 at 07/19/2008 @ 11:59am

5. Excellent points:

   'When demand for solar cell panels increased the cost and price goes down. When the demand for oil increases the price goes up.'

   'CO2 increase in one area, creates increase in CO2 everywhere.'

   'The growing renewable energy industry can also solve underemployment in 3rd world countries.'

   Posted by hsuBfools at 07/19/2008 @ 12:05pm

6. 'The growing renewable energy industry can also solve underemployment in 3rd world countries.'

   And it doesn't require that they have oil deposits, might I add.

   Posted by hsuBfools at 07/19/2008 @ 12:15pm

7. "he makes Bush look like a genius.-JOMAMMA

   you need to quit drinking.

   --

   Mad is spot on Rev HateslibertyandAmerica.

   Gore was VP for 8 years, he served in congress for 17 years for that leftist loving state of Tennessee , he volunteered for Vietnam service (not the Texas Air National guard) and is a millionaire many times over by being a capitalist. He is joined in his concern for the environment by the vast majority of climate scientists, biologists and other scientists of the world.

   and to you that is "fringe".

   you are a bizarre nutter Larry. Time for you to move to Iran where you will be the norm, not the fringe that you are here in the Land of the free from religious nutjobs.

   Posted by crabwalk at 07/19/2008 @ 12:31pm

8. Next up Larry will tell us that "there are no homosexuals in Nevada".

   Posted by crabwalk at 07/19/2008 @ 12:38pm

9. Perhaps I should be alerting the dept. of homeland security that the nation boards have a few right-wing extremists with violence on their minds running amok.

   Posted by madlib at 07/19/2008 @ 12:23pm

   You can disappear them, but if not, mostly I think they'll simply move another step out of this reality they so reject and eventually we just won't be able to tell which of the corners' raggedy guys with cups outstretched for coin is one of them...

   They are really pitiful excuses for even humanity's dregs. But hey, they have a right to-- 'WHINE'.

   Posted by hsuBfools at 07/19/2008 @ 12:38pm

10. Hey, maybe we can find them jobs in the renewable energy industry!

    Posted by hsuBfools at 07/19/2008 @ 12:42pm

11. Yup....with 6 out of 10 voting for someone OTHER than the Duffus duo..

    Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/19/2008 @ 12:42pm

    See JoMa is already another step there. I can practically hear him practicing the rattle of his can already... (as he blocks out the FACT that Al Gore won the majority of the votes in the USA)

    Posted by hsuBfools at 07/19/2008 @ 12:53pm

12. the parasite class coming into power again to rob the productive class....

    Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/19/2008 @ 12:50pm

    Hey, JoMa, still selling fake jewelry to the parasite class? Now that's really productive there JoMa...

    Posted by hsuBfools at 07/19/2008 @ 12:56pm

13. Allow me to rephrase my comment to Rev L.

    You should go not to Iran, where the populace is trending secular as opposed to their "leaders. You should head forthwith to Saudi Arabia and join forces with their King. He, like you, went into the world claiming a call to bring religions together while at home he does what he can to stifle freedoms of any kind.

    If that does not suit you, maybe Iraq is the bestest place for you after all. Free market is the rule, you can convert Islamic Fascists door to door.

    Have a great day.

    Posted by crabwalk at 07/19/2008 @ 1:01pm

14. So, John, what did you produce this week?

    I am off now to actually produce items for sale in the market. In this process I will not use the underpriced labor of others, I will not obtain dividends from the work of others because I bought a share, nor will I demand service from members of unions that I despise (think airline staff).

    Who is the real parasite? Or is Gore getting close, we are all parasites?

    Posted by crabwalk at 07/19/2008 @ 1:07pm

15. " Same old socialist money grab ..." Jomamma

    Are you talking about the military or churches? Because as I see it, there are few more socialist groups than those organizations.

    Posted by crabwalk at 07/19/2008 @ 1:11pm

16. (as he blocks out the FACT that Al Gore won the majority of the votes in the USA) Posted by hsuBfools at 07/19/2008 @ 12:53pm

    See, that makes him "fringe" in the neo-con world where up is blue and Saddam dropped the towers.

    Posted by crabwalk at 07/19/2008 @ 1:12pm

17. "One of the ways that we build our capacity to respond is by sketching out a plan to get from here to where we need to be. If you look at the seriousness if this climate crisis, you begin to see how it's connected to the economic crisis, and the national security threat we face," Gore said, detailing the problems that plague us from our overdependence on dirty fossil fuels from overseas.

    "The older industries that are premised on cheap fossil fuels are being devastated," Gore noted, "by the rise in fossil fuel prices."

    "The ideas that we can drill our way out...is just so absurd," Gore said, drawing applause. "When you're in a hole, stop digging," he added.

    Posted by hsuBfools at 07/19/2008 @ 1:32pm

18. The right wing is scared shitless of the environmental movement & its ability to motivate young voters, regardless of political slant. The Cousteaus very successfully made human beings a part of the ecological puzzle. Al Gore has universal admiration for his work. The right wing attack on environmentalists has been in full gear since Aldo Leopold & Rachel Carson.

    Posted by Sorelish at 07/19/2008 @ 1:38pm

19. Wouldn't using non-fossil fuel sources of energy give us energy independence from Islamo-fascist regimes at the same time it creates jobs and wealth?

    Or is that too much loony fringe leftist cultism?

    Posted by crabwalk at 07/19/2008 @ 2:00pm

20. Bush may have been installed, but don't forget which one got the Nobel Peace Prize. That is something Bush will never come close to.

    Posted by ramara at 07/19/2008 @ 4:20pm

21. CSPAN coverage of Gore and Pelosi together on the stage of Netroots was like watching a horror show for me.

    They each used the word "non-partisan" about 50 times, yet it was clearly evident they are deeply partisan. Or maybe I just imagined it as Pelosi ended the Q&A with a shouted appeal to vote for Obama and Democrat majority in Congress.

    Plenty of activism but no wisdom. 100% energy from renewable sources in 10 years? Sounds great to the cheering geeks in the audience. I would have cheered too if there'd been one example of how. If there'd been any mention of the impact to the global economy.

    Pelosi and Gore are irresponsible, dangerous people. They are no different than Bush and the neo-cons. They just want a turn at the steering wheel.

    It was fascinating. It always is to see people like Gore and Pelosi unfiltered. Absolutely loved it!

    Posted by freiheit1 at 07/19/2008 @ 11:43pm

22. Ah but sir, you have to realize you're talking to the type of people whose internet time is spent....telling people on a liberal rag's comments sections that they're are baseless and worthless. Not creating actual debate, just name-calling and bullshitting.

    Think about the type of lunatic who would willingly spend vast amounts of time being nothing more than a contrary idiot.

    Their opinions, despite their sometimes factual incorrectness, are already invalidated by what they decide to do with their free time.

    Now which one of the usual assholes is going to come and whine about how they won't be silenced?

    Posted by madlib at 07/19/2008 @ 2:58pm

    I've never said that liberals are baseless and worthless. I've simply voiced my opinion that the liberal ideology and their proposed solutions are wrong for America.

    But it seems you have a problem with concept of a debate of opposing ideas which is the heart of our American experiment as a constitutional republic.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 07/20/2008 @ 12:58am

23. Running around and shouting insults like a petulant child is not debate even by the furthest stretch of the imagination. What you are doing is pointless and meaningless. Why don't you go stroke your ego with your religious fringe groups and leave the thinking people alone?

    Posted by madlib at 07/20/2008 @ 01:22am

    Well I do come here looking for thinking people. Unfortunately, the blog is littered with moronic and infantile little minds like yours who attempt to debate with the adults. Go back to bed little boy before your mommy finds out you're not asleep.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 07/20/2008 @ 01:29am

24. With all I have always supported Mr. Gore I honestly suggest he take a little bit more realistic goals and leave the extremes. That saying that in 10 years all of our energy should come from renewable sources (nuclear not mentioned I believe) is an utter over reach.

    Why don't we come up with increasing average car mileage by say 30% in 12 years? That seems as attainable,,,and adhere to the Kyoto treat... and propose an economic fund for the defense of the Amazonic jungle with reasonable proposals that may stop its destruction...or finally tax (yes tax) automobiles that are not hybrid or electrical and operate within a metropolis (tax in the gas stations)... there is so many things that can be done - including generating nuclear at least 50% of our power - that could trim by half our oil dependence in say 20 years but to say that we should go to eolic, solar and geothermal 100% is just too much of a far reach..

    I am sad because I think the guy is such highly committed to the environmental cause.

    Posted by Frank42 at 07/20/2008 @ 03:22am

25. Frank, I just can't agree with you that Gore is committed to the environmental cause.

    My observation leads me to believe Gore is interested in political power, not simply for himself, but for a movement. He himself boasts about the long legacy of his family in politics. He lives a life very unlike any of us. (Kind of like Bush, eh?) The sacrifices he wishes to impose on all of us will not affect the way he lives at all. Gore believes we should live in the image he designs for us. In his talk today his hypocrisy was evident in the way he danced around the question of meat production's impact on the environment.

    Gore's not really about the environment at all. He's about control. Watching him today in from of Netroots really brought home to me the torture that contradiction brings upon him.

    I think he knows it's all a fraud. But his eyes are firmly on the goal. And everything is justified.

    Gore's sermons are a distraction from the real issue that threatens us. Expanding Federal Government and the associated destruction of our liberty. With Nancy's delightful smile garnishing the moment, while an overwhelmingly liberal audience cat-called her about her crap performance as Speaker of the House. Too funny.

    Her strategy on stage? When it's clear a large group of left leaning geeks see you as a fraud, start bashing Bush! LOL! I think she lost much of the crowd the 20th time she confused .com and .org in Gore's URL. Attagirl Nancy.

    Posted by freiheit1 at 07/20/2008 @ 04:14am

26. I think Gore is authentic. Just sometimes too feverish...

    I think that you are right freedom is paramount...but has never been in such danger as with this government and its lack of respect for individual rights.

    I think that environmental controls have made cities like Los Angeles reduce their smog by more than 80% in the last 30 years even when the amount of cars has increased a lot.

    I think that the greatest menace to our freedoms, aside of this administration, comes from the big corporations that want to condition us where to go, what to buy and even what to be.... for ex., a corporate lawyer. These go directly against the ability of people to think independently.

    Yes, we liberals bash Bush righteously because we have failed miserably to impeach him. At any other job in America he would already had been fired a dozen times.

    I recommend you to look carefully at the menaces on the individual today. Aside from this administration's excesses, they will always come from the big brother trying to opress us into insignificant human beings. Now, that is really the shame today in America that people like you are not able to see.

    Posted by Frank42 at 07/20/2008 @ 05:00am

27. Thats exactly why most sensible people avoid places like DC at night..it is safer in Iraq. Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/20/2008 @ 02:17am

    Really? When you goin?

    As far as your "production", congrats on your enterprise and getting it rolling. But I didn't see where you produced anything. From what you wrote it looks like you hired people to do the production. I am glad you are paying them well, that comes from being "liberal" with the income, no?. Good wages are a foundation of the liberal movement. Welcome to the dark side.

    Posted by crabwalk at 07/20/2008 @ 08:31am

28. lets now examine Johns fantasy about making his money without gubment or union "interference";

    He took an airline, that means he used a gubment subsidized airport.

    ["Although Southwest is considered a "low fare" airline, it is heavily unionized when compared to other airlines.[61] The Southwest Airline Pilots' Association, a union not affiliated with the Air Line Pilots Association, International, represents the airline's pilots.[62] The Aircraft Maintenance Technicians' are represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).[63] Customer Service Agents and Reservation Agents are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union (IAM). Flight Attendants, Ramp agents and Operations agents are represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU). Flight Dispatchers are represented by the Southwest Airlines Employee Association (SAEA)."]--WIKI

    Did hetravel on private roads to get to the gubment financed airport?

    He used TSA workers to keep him safe from terrorists, TSA workers are not financed wholly by ticket purchasers, the gubment subsidizes that too.

    He purchased materials, the gubment has established standards for those materials. 12 ga cold rolled metal sheet shall be a certain thickness and be a certain composite of elements. Resistors shall be of known origin, known composition and marked with standardized colors.

    Did he use the internets to design and sell these units? The gubment created the internets.

    I assume he has an export license, as China is a known aggressor and military components may not be sold to them. The gubment issues those licenses. The gubment also shields Taiwan from the Communist authoritarian military.

    Did you and your employees eat? The gubment (pretty much) ensures your food is safe to eat and establishes weights and measures so that your 80z filet is actually 8oz (or should be).

    did he use private capital to start the company? Right now the gubment is HEAVILY involved in stabilizing "the free market".

    did he keep money in a bank? The FDIC is a gubment program.

    so, as we can see, John relies on the gubment for a myriad of services that it seems he wants the rest of us to pay for.

    Posted by crabwalk at 07/20/2008 @ 09:09am

29. If someone copies Jomammas product line, where will he go to get justice?

    Gubment courts.

    Posted by crabwalk at 07/20/2008 @ 09:11am

30. How big was Gore's carbon foot print? Did he fly in by jet? Did he bring Lieberman with him? Was Bill Gates there? We are going to spend 2.1 trillion, 2,100,000,000,000 destroying two countries Afghanistan and Iraq, killing millions of innocent people hunting ghosts, while all these idiots talk fantasy island. Solar doesn't work without sun, wind doesn't work without wind. The "so called" wind mills on top of one of our hills here in Northern Maine runs 50% of the time on Maine public power to keep the blades turning. "No wind". Solar voltaic cells only work well with the sun. no sun, no generation. We have twenty days of sun during the winter. We have plenty of hydro potential, but the idiots on the gore bus don't want us to use that power, because of the "snail darter". And, yes, I listened to gore on C-Span at 1:00am. By the way we have true environmetalists living here in Maine. They are called Amish. What about tidal hydro? How much does it cost to produce silica? Can we go d.c like the French? Can we build electric trains and electric highways? what if, like some engineers claim, we could use gravity to power transportation? Is it possible to let the engineers solve the problem? Can we send gore to China and let him yell at them for producing tons of co2.

    Posted by julien38 at 07/20/2008 @ 10:25am

31. And, by the way Gore and Reagan are correct, we can't continue to defoliate our planet. I took flying lesson in Los Angelese' California in 1973 and we had to leave the air port under ifr rules by nine in the morning because of the smog. The solution the oil companies came up with was catalytic converters. Better solution move L.A. EX. President Reagan said grow more trees. Even the Republicans proceeded to vilify the man, but he was correct. I watched them plow down the last of the orange groves to make way for a shopping mall in Anaheim. Even Disney wasn't that stupid.

    Posted by julien38 at 07/20/2008 @ 10:42am

32. the parasite class coming into power again to rob the productive class....

    Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/19/2008 @ 12:50pm

    Hey, JoMa, still selling fake jewelry to the parasite class? Now that's really productive there JoMa...

    Posted by hsuBfools at 07/19/2008 @ 12:56pm

    I sell jewelry for fun..

    Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/19/2008 @ 8:21pm

    So it's fun; what's a parasite on the parasites called?

    Posted by hsuBfools at 07/20/2008 @ 11:10am

33. At least he and Bill actually won their election....

    Posted by madlib at 07/19/2008 @ 12:19pm

    Yup....with 6 out of 10 voting for someone OTHER than the Duffus duo..

    Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/19/2008 @ 12:42pm

    See JoMa is already another step there. I can practically hear him practicing the rattle of his can... (as he blocks out the FACT that Al Gore won the majority of the votes in the USA)

    Posted by hsuBfools at 07/19/2008 @ 12:53pm

    BTW.... ALGORE did receive more votes than Bush, but as any 4 th grader can tell (if he is in a private school), we do not elect our presidents by direct votes..

    Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/19/2008 @ 8:21pm

    At least he and Bill actually won their election....

    Posted by madlib at 07/19/2008 @ 12:19pm

    Yup....with 6 out of 10 voting for someone OTHER than the Duffus duo..

    Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/19/2008 @ 12:42pm

    BTW.... ALGORE did receive more votes than Bush, but as any 4 th grader can tell (if he is in a private school), we do not elect our presidents by direct votes..

    Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/19/2008 @ 8:21pm

    At least he and Bill actually won their election....

    Posted by madlib at 07/19/2008 @ 12:19pm

    Yup....with 6 out of 10 voting for someone OTHER than the Duffus duo..

    Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/19/2008 @ 12:42pm

    BTW.... ALGORE did receive more votes than Bush, but as any 4 th grader can tell (if he is in a private school), we do not elect our presidents by direct votes..

    Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/19/2008 @ 8:21pm

    Is it any wonder why JoMa is so fuck-up... He's got an unconscious loop has become a knot in his mental bowels obstructing his though process, thus only hot air can escape. It's 'mental constipation'. Needs lots and lots of 'castor oil'. (May induce redemptive leakage...)

    Posted by hsuBfools at 07/20/2008 @ 11:31am

34. er, He's got an unconscious loop 'that' has become a knot in his mental bowels obstructing his though process, thus only hot air can escape.

    Posted by hsuBfools at 07/20/2008 @ 11:34am

35. Hi Frank! You said, "I recommend you to look carefully at the menaces on the individual today. Aside from this administration's excesses, they will always come from the big brother trying to opress us into insignificant human beings. Now, that is really the shame today in America that people like you are not able to see."

    Buddy, that's all I see. Couldn't agree with you more!

    Posted by freiheit1 at 07/20/2008 @ 12:30pm

36. er, He's got an unconscious loop that has become a knot in his mental bowels obstructing his 'thought' process, thus only hot air can escape.

    Posted by hsuBfools at 07/20/2008 @ 7:38pm

37. LEave acedmia for a few years and run on your own gas..I amsure the world will look different..it will look real perhaps for the first time.

    Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/20/2008 @ 12:29pm

    I believe I've already mentioned before that I've had about 30 different jobs/titles and more than half of those were outside of teaching. And I've taught both private and public schools and at all levels. And although I currently teach at public schools, my salary is less than 10% from public finance, if that. I have a yearly contract so if I do not 'produce' minds that can think, I do not get a raise much less a job. I also sell my artwork and have a few in museums and private collections. One of my 1st jobs was picking cotton during the middle to late summer. Very hard work for an 8 year old. But my parents reasoning was that none of their children would be scared of hard work. My father has retired with 3 pensions and social security. My parents also taught me how not to be a miserly stingy scrooge. That there will be a time when I need the help of strangers and that I need to do enough good works so I will not be too proud or guilty to ask for it. And not to begrudge others in need or to judge their sincerity when I see with my own open eyes their need.

    JoMa-- open your own eyes-- they are shut to anything unfamiliar. You have turned away from humanity to hoard a little coin.

    BTW no one runs on their 'own' gas. We all help/teach each other, whether you'd like to admit it or not. And we are all strangers.

    Posted by hsuBfools at 07/20/2008 @ 8:14pm

38. Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/20/2008 @ 8:36pm

    No problem meeting up in Austin except I like Tequila and Coronas to wine.

    I have to say as poor economically as I have been in the past, family and friends-- no matter how 'strange' they are, sure made everything a lot better, if not economically so. Although I've had great luck with 'strange' police, IRS and gov types more often that not, it does help me to always recognize that they are someone's strange family or friend.

    (It also helps that most 'think' I look just like someone they know... I just have one of those 'strange' faces.)

    Posted by hsuBfools at 07/20/2008 @ 9:05pm

39. What happrned to Mask?

    Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/21/2008 @ 01:35am

    Took some time off. Problem?

    BTW, didn't have to be here to guess that ANY mention of Al Gore would draw out 15-20 posts from HSUB.

    Keep hope alive, SUBBY!....heheh

    Posted by Maskdelta at 07/21/2008 @ 09:03am

40. Posted by JOMAMMA at 07/21/2008 @ 09:08am

    MAASCH, quiz time---

    Which Presidential candidate DISagrees with Gore on global warming and the need to seriously address it?

    (Hint...less than one)

    Posted by Maskdelta at 07/21/2008 @ 09:19am