Draft Gore Petition with 100,000 Signatures Delivered to Gore's Office

    NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The national
 petition run by Draft Gore (Draftgore.com) asking Al Gore to run for
 president in 2008 reached a major milestone yesterday when the number of
 signatures went over 100,000. Draft Gore treasurer Eva Ritchey delivered
 the petition to Vice President Gore's office in Nashville this morning.
     "This enormous outpouring of support for Al Gore is testimony both to
 his enduring appeal among the grassroots and to the dissatisfaction of the
 Democratic base with the current crop of declared candidates," said Monica
 Friedlander, chair of Draft Gore.
     Because of its comments section filled with personal stories and direct
 pleas to Mr. Gore, the petition represents a historic portrait of the
 reborn populist movement in this country -- and not just among Democrats.
 Surprisingly, a very large number of signatures come from independents and
 Republicans, many of whom regret not voting for Gore in 2000:
     "Mr Gore, I'm a 13-year military vet who has served in Iraq and
     Afghanistan. Having always voted Republican, I bear responsibility for our
     current government. I thank you for your 30+ yrs of service and am asking
     you to serve again.
     -- Ernesto Meruelo, San Diego, CA
 
     "I am a lifelong Republican and in 2000 I foolishly voted for President
     Bush. I was wrong. I am older and wiser now. I wish to offer my support
     and help in my very GOP state of Wyoming."
     -- Philip Hritzak, Casper, WY
     Many of those who signed the petition include troops on the frontlines
 in Iraq and parents of young people being put in harm's way.
     "Mr. Gore, my son is going into Iraq today. Please run and bring some
     reason to this world. He is in the 3rd ID. Please help!"
     -- Sharon Pote, Booneville, AR
     Most of all, signatories by the tens of thousands plead with Al Gore to
 respond to the growing call to serve his country one more time.
     "There's no higher calling, than when a nation asks for you to lead. We're
     asking you to lead now, and I hope you'll rise to it."
     -- Jarrett Wold, Minot, ND
     Draft Gore has also launched its national radio ad campaign this week,
 with the first of three spots now running on the Stephanie Miller show.
 These and other actions are intended to demonstrate to Mr. Gore the
 groundswell of support he enjoys in the hope of persuading him to join the
 race for the Democratic nomination.
     Gore's growing popularity is demonstrated by a recent poll in New
 Hampshire showing Gore running well ahead of the entire Democratic field,
 leading Hillary Clinton by six points, 32% to 26%.
     The petition can be read in its entirety on Draft Gore's website
 (http://www.draftgore.com) or directly at
 http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/algore2008/signatories.html.
     Draft Gore is a grassroots political action committee promoting a Gore
 candidacy in 2008. The PAC is not affiliated with Vice President Gore's
 office. For more information, see http://www.draftgore.com.
 
 

SOURCE Draft Gore