Dad,

I think that I agree with you about the Al Gore situation. I would be interested to see him in action in another presidential race, but I think that it is a long shot. Even on the environmental issue, he has a lot of questions to answer, but I would tune in for the debate. He is a veteran politician and a seasoned Washington resident. He has a presence which would be a mistake to ignore. His conservative critics have valid arguments with his ecological decisions, like the pictures of his large, well lit mansion glimmering in the late night sky and his private jet excursions to exotic locations where he has rallies for environmental salvation. None of them could answer to any of the same scrutiny, but they are not running on a platform of environmental change.

In some ways I hope that Al Gore gets his chance. In other ways, I hope that the Democratic party does not find itself in dire straits, looking for a knight in shining armor to rescue them from their political captivity.

Bryan.