Word on the street is that Barack Obama plans to create a "climate czar" position to lead his administration's climate change and energy policies. But Al Gore, the most likely candidate, has already said that he doesn't want the job.

Perhaps Al Gore either didn't want to fill out that cumbersome questionnaire Obama is passing out to potential appointees, or saw the position as a demotion from vice president. Then again maybe he thinks he can get more done outside of government. Whatever the reason, Al Gore's disinterest may clear the way for another candidate — California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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Wouldn't he take any opportunity to help out?
1If he takes that job it means he has to compromise, i wouldn't take it either if I was as good at what I do as this remarkable man. He can challenge Obama instead, that suits him better in my view.
2Or maybe he's realizing that most people know that he is bamboozling us, and doesn't want a job that could have litigious consequences when it's conclusively proven that he has been wrong.
3Maybe it is cuz he is a hypocrite and does not want himself looked over with a fine toothed comb.
4OR MAYBE..I dont know.. just being silly...
5I really wish they wouldn't use the word 'Czar' in government positions. It sounds so authoritarian and creepy. Perhaps I'm just biased by the 'drug czar' title.
6Schwarzenegger is a lousy idea, but there are plenty of people besides Gore who could do a fine job - Gore's in an elder statesman position now that he'd be crazy to give up for a desk job!
7Whew! Can't deny that I am happy he passed the job up.
8Don't celebrate yet. We might end up with T. Boone Pickens.
9Ahhhh! We got a robocall from Mr. Pickens last night.
10I dunno...it's probably just me but Al Gore makes me laugh. That Darryl Hammond who impersonates him on SNL does Al's stale roboticness so well, he does Al Gore better than Al Gore. Then there's "I invented the Internet and Global Warming" bit. He just makes me chuckle. I'm glad we don't have to see him as a government official. I couldn't take him seriously.
11Al has better more important things to do, like finding manbearpig people!
12I think whenever Al Gore talks, they need to play "The Final Countdown" by Europe. Then he needs to dance around funny like Gob Blueth in Arrested Development.
13(Ya'll are cracking me up.)
14hahahaha!
15I really wish they wouldn't use the word 'Czar' in government positions. It sounds so authoritarian and creepy. Perhaps I'm just biased by the 'drug czar' title.
I'm glad you said that Mich. I think that's what bothers me too. Call it the "Secretary of Climate Control" or something. Czar just sounds wrong.
And I'm glad it wasn't Gore, but PLEASE don't let it be the governator either! LMAO
16Gore really should help Obama out. I greatly respect his knowledge and passion for environmental policies, but I think he may be doing a disservice to all of us not to assume an offered position on handling the climate crisis.
17Reading this headline 'Al Gore Says Thanks...' I first thought it said 'Al Gore Says Relax' a la Frankie Goes To Hollywood.
18I personally would love to see someone with a background in science and research in that position... not a career politician.
19"Czar" isn't the actual title, that's media speak.
When Richard Clarke was popularly called the terrorism czar, his title was National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism. The nation's "drug czar's" actual title is Director of National Drug Control Policy.
It's not terribly clever shorthand.
20I'm with UnDave on this one.
21I don't put a lot of stock in the rumors about who is rumored to be in the running for these positions. I think a lot of journalists just take the people they assume would be at the top of the list and run with it. I think in this case Gore has pre-emptively removed himself from the running, but that doesn't mean he was strongly being considered anyway.
I will get all into disecting the appointments after they have been made. It is hard to get excited about rumors!
22Manbearpig!!!
23Ya'll are too funny. But with everyone on the 'czar' term. Granted it's not official, it still sounds, um, strange? Creepy? I don't know.
24I think he's awesome. But I understand not wanting to get back into politics.
25Al Gore is the wrong choice because he's way too polarizing here in America. Arnold I think would be a great choice.
26Come on, Al, just do it. He would be great.
27I love the Arn too, but I don't think he knows enough.
I hope Obama offers it to Lester Brown!
28i'd love to see al gore help obama out.
29I agree with UrbanBohemian. If Al is really truly passionate about global warming, why won't he step up to the plate? I really hope that the Arnie thing is a rumor. How can someone who owns a Hummer truly be worried about our climate issues?
30I know one thing though who ever does get the job guess who they'll be consulting......Al Gore.
31well i don't think that you can blame the guy for not wanting the position. first off i don't like the name climate czar even if it's just something that he's throwing out there...and 2, i think that gore has earned his own amount of credibility that he doesn't need to be appointed to a position to make a social impact. i feel like people are more aware of the environment now as a result of his lack of political affiliation (meaning that he's not VP or Pres)
32Once he takes a position like this he will be bogged down with red tape.
33Gore is already so much on his own... i kind of don't think he needs this job. LaurenG22 - you are SO RIGHT. People don't realize how DIFFICULT it is to get things done in Washington, even if you are Obama. We vote in this country with DOLLARS, not the Ballot!
341. Amen on wanting someone with an enviromental science background. Someone who this has been their field since college.
2. Why would he take this position when he is making millions doing what he is doing.
3. Arnold has a hummer. Gore's little footprint isn't anything to brag about either.
35Arnold's hummer is a hybrid. Doesn't that count for something?
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