Hands down, THE coveted Democratic endorsement is that of Al Gore. His fans in the base are huge, committed and active. A nod from Captain Planet could be a scale tipper. This explains why Gore has been so actively wooed by both Clinton and Obama, with numerous meetings between him and the candidates. Gore has insisted he intends to remain neutral.

Then Obama, as he is wont to do, dropped a bomb.

Sen. Barack Obama said Wednesday he would give Al Gore, a Nobel prize winner, a major role in an Obama administration to address the problem of global warming.

At a town-hall meeting, Obama was asked if he would tap the former vice president for his Cabinet to handle global warming.

“I would,” Obama said. “Not only will I, but I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this problem. He’s somebody I talk to on a regular basis. I’m already consulting with him in terms of these issues, but climate change is real. It is something we have to deal with now, not 10 years from now, not 20 years from now.” - Newsvine

Oh, ho! Since the lack-o-love between the Clintons and the Gores is well documented, this is just hilarious to me. Hillary may not want Gore in any kind of power position in her administration, but Obama does, and for him, there’s a lot of oomph with the Gore folks that Captain Planet will head up the US tactics on global warming. In a way, this is tons better than an endorsement, since it demonstrates COMMITMENT to the cause, and trust me, that carries the weight with that crowd.

What I’m wondering is whether this was Obama’s idea, or was this Gore’s way of bypassing the “Judas” shtick while chivvying his supporters into the booths for Obama.

Either way, it’s great politics.

Hat Tip to Buzzflash

Crossposted at Bring It On!