Associated Press
WASHINGTON – Reaction to former Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sharing the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in bringing world attention to the problem of climate change:
“Of course he’s happy for Vice President Gore …. He’s happy for the International Panel on Climate Change scientists who also shared the peace prize. Obviously it’s an important recognition. And we’re sure the vice president’s thrilled.” – White House spokesman Tony Fratto, referring to President Bush.
“Al Gore has been warning and educating us about the dangers of climate change for decades. He saw this coming before others in public life and never stopped pushing for action to save our planet, even in the face of public indifference and attacks from those determined to defend the indefensible.” – Former President Clinton.
“This says there is an unprecedented momentum in the world to take necessary action. … I pay my tribute to Mr. Al Gore as a good example of how civil societies and individuals can make differences in raising the awareness of this global challenge. I also pay tribute to IPCC.” – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
“It’s well deserved. … I hope that the new Nobel Peace Prize winner will engage in serious activities with me and others” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through use of nuclear power and carbon credits for industry. – GOP presidential candidate John McCain.
“I am thrilled about Vice President Al Gore getting the Nobel Peace Prize. It is so well deserved. It was really an honor that not only recognized his decades of work on this important issue that affects our entire planet, but it was also important to do it now just when we’re going to have an opportunity with a new president in January 2009 to begin leading the world toward solutions again.” – Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton.
“Vice President Gore has been an extraordinary leader for this country. Through his many years of public service, his early and vocal opposition to the war in Iraq, and – above all – his singular leadership in drawing attention to the global climate crisis, Al Gore has advanced the cause of peace at home and around the world. This award is richly deserved.” – Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
“The Nobel Peace Prize rewards three decades of Vice President Gore’s prescient and compelling – and often lonely – advocacy for the future of the earth. His leadership stands in stunning contrast to the failure of the current administration to pursue policies that would reduce the harm of global warming.” – Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards.
“As today’s announcement confirms, reversing the effects of global warming is an issue of global justice and security. Al’s tireless efforts to increase awareness of the threats of global warming have provided a powerful voice telling the world that we need to act now.” – Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd.
“This prize is important, not only in recognition of Vice President Gore’s extraordinary achievements, but also in acknowledgment of the importance of fighting global climate change.” – Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson.
“No other person has worked harder or done more to draw much needed attention to the crisis of global climate change, one of the most critical issues facing our planet. Future generations will thank him for his work to save our way of life.” – Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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posted October 12, 2007 at 7:30 pm
YES! Al did “good”. He definitely deserved this recognition for his work in bringing attention to what humans have done to this, Mother Earth.
posted October 12, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Yes, congratulations to Al Gore, and The Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change!
posted October 12, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Just think of the condition the country would be in now if he had been president instead of what we have.
posted October 12, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Ruairi:
Hey! I voted for him but it obviously didn’t help.
posted October 12, 2007 at 10:25 pm
The world would be immeasurably better had the election results been tabulated accurately. Gore should have insisted on it, but apparently wanted to seem the good guy. It didn’t occur to him he was throwing away the work of those of us who supported and worked for and contributed to his race, and gave the lie to his belief in his and our claims that it mattered who won. And what kind of fool would pick Joe Lieberman for veep?!
So Gore was kind of a lousy candidate but would have made a good, maybe very good president and in any case he’d have been immeasurably better than GWB.
posted October 13, 2007 at 12:17 pm
And all the candiudates are saying in their little thought balloons “Thank God he is not running for presiden thtis time!”
He deserves it. It is one contest we can all be sure Bush will not only win, but never enter. But then Gore will never win Oil Pan man of the Year either.
Gore was robbed and this is further proof that the better man lost. However, I don’t think he could have made the film, written the book, and done all that he has if he had one. Of course, I am of the mind that 9/11/01 would have just been another late summer Tuesday, too, if Gore had won. When he lost we all lost. Let’s hope his prize begins an era of even greater awareness and action.
posted October 13, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Yes, Osama really lucked out to have a US president as stupid as GWB in place when the attack happened and he may have counted on that.
And if we’d really been trying hard to catch him we’d have listened for the loudest cheering (outside of the US military-industrial complex) when we invaded Iraq. How often can you hit a big guy and dance around a bit and pretty soon the big guy stops trying very hard to hit you back and hits your enemy instead? What a gift for the bad guys!