Call me crazy, but I don't think we've heard the last of Al Gore. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he's maneuvering to become Gray Champion. Am I being figurative or even facetious? Nope. I mean Strauss and Howe's "Gray Champion".

It is a fact that Gore read and loved Generations. If memory serves, he bought a copy for every fellow member of Congress. Now that's someone who is impacted!!!

From this I will assume (yes, assume, but I think it's a pretty darn good assumption) that the Vice President read The Fourth Turning, where Hawthorne's Gray Champion is mentioned and contextualized.

What gave me the idea is when Gore grew that beard a couple of years ago.

At the onset of old age, Boomers will do what they have done with every earlier step of the aging process: They will resist it for a while, then dabble in it, and ultimately glorify it. Like old Transcendental men (who sprouted long beards as badges of wisdom), Boomers will establish elegant new insignia of old age -- flaunting, not avoiding, the natural imprints of time . . . [The Fourth Turning, p. 281]

I am not surprised that he bowed out and did not join the 2004 Presidential race: He knew it wasn't time. The time of the Gray Champion was not at hand.

Now he is starting up:"Generation Investment Management".

Very interesting.

**For Discussion Purposes Only**

Gore to invest in issues close to his heart
By Sundeep Tucker in London
November 8 2004

Al Gore, the former US vice-president, is to put his expertise in global sustainability issues into practice with the launch today of a fund management firm.

Mr Gore has teamed up with David Blood, former chief executive of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, to set up Generation Investment Management, a London-based boutique that will invest in global equities.

The six founder partners have contributed a total of "double-digit" millions of dollars to kickstart Generation, which plans to begin attracting funds in the new year.

The firm aims to deliver higher investment returns by integrating traditional equity analysis with sustainability research, a fledgling area that combines the principles of economic growth, environmental stewardship and social accountability.

Mr Gore championed sustainability issues during his eight years as vice-president to Bill Clinton. The author of Earth in the Balance, he chaired the president's council for business and sustainable development and helped secure agreement on the Kyoto protocol, the convention on climate change.

As Generation chairman, he expects to devote about a day and a half a week at the firm. Since leaving government he has lectured on financial services and technology issues, is on the board of Apple Computer and is a senior adviser to Google.

He told the FT: "Transparency, eco-efficiency, nurturing employees and managing long-term risks are among the integral parts of a company's enduring capability to create value. You can't properly value automobile stocks without considering long-term issues such as carbon intensity."

Generation has headquarters near London's Piccadilly, with an office in Washington DC.

One founder partner is Mark Ferguson, a former co-head of European research at Goldman Sachs Asset Management and son of Sir Alex, the Manchester United Football Club manager. FTfm, Separate section

Mr. Bryan, you are crazy. :shock:

He's convinced me, Mr. Saari.

Convinced me that Gore's looking for the job, that is - I've always believed the man's ego was big enough. Wanting and getting are two different things, however.

Originally Posted by Virgil K. Saari

Mr. Bryan, you are crazy. :shock:

Sorry dude, I agree. That fact that he is conscious of generational theory would make him a contrived GC. An actor going by a script. A self-conscious Boomer trying too hard. Barf. Having said that, I like Al Gore - he is a man of conviction and feel he would be effective in a supporting role such as John the Baptist. :wink: Circumstances produce the GC, not the wish to be one.

Besides, S&H mention more than one Gray Champion for each of the two earlier 4Ts. For instance, for the Civil War, you see listed not only Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, but also John Brown, Julia W. Howe, Gen. Robert E. Lee, and Gen. William T. Sherman.

For the last 4T, you see listed not only Franklin D. Roosevelt, but also Gen. George C. Marshall, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Adm. William F. Halsey, and Henry Kaiser.

So, rather than speak of thus and so as being the Gray Champion, it might be better to speak of him or her as being a Gray Champion. Also, judging from the two lists, it becomes obvious that one need not be President to become a Gray Champion - even if it does help.

Originally Posted by Virgil K. Saari

Mr. Bryan, you are crazy. :shock:

I've been called worse. Like "stalker". :wink:

Originally Posted by Chris'68

He's convinced me, Mr. Saari.

Convinced me that Gore's looking for the job, that is - I've always believed the man's ego was big enough. Wanting and getting are two different things, however.

Originally Posted by BoomerXer

Originally Posted by Virgil K. Saari

Mr. Bryan, you are crazy. :shock:

Sorry dude, I agree. That fact that he is conscious of generational theory would make him a contrived GC. An actor going by a script. A self-conscious Boomer trying too hard. Barf. Having said that, I like Al Gore - he is a man of conviction and feel he would be effective in a supporting role such as John the Baptist. :wink: Circumstances produce the GC, not the wish to be one.

I don't know how far to run with this, but like I said, I wouldn't be surprised whatsoever if he has S&H's ideas in mind. And yes, you are both very right in that he'd need a stroke of luck to make it work. But as someone once told me, one possible definition of luck is when "preparation meets opportunity".

Originally Posted by Titus Sabinus Parthicus

Besides, S&H mention more than one Gray Champion for each of the two earlier 4Ts. For instance, for the Civil War, you see listed not only Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, but also John Brown, Julia W. Howe, Gen. Robert E. Lee, and Gen. William T. Sherman.

For the last 4T, you see listed not only Franklin D. Roosevelt, but also Gen. George C. Marshall, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Adm. William F. Halsey, and Henry Kaiser.

So, rather than speak of thus and so as being the Gray Champion, it might be better to speak of him or her as being a Gray Champion. Also, judging from the two lists, it becomes obvious that one need not be President to become a Gray Champion - even if it does help.

Maybe this is something we could ask Strauss and Howe about in one of the upcoming chats.

The way I handle it right now is that there is the Gray Champion person or persons, and then there is the Grey Champion archetype, which represents all elder-wave Prophets of non-suppressed (Generations term) characteristics.

Besides, why not become one, if you are personally mentioned in T4T as an example of a Gray Champion? Remember Al Gore predicting an environmental cataclysm? In many ways, him becoming one would make the T4T "prophecy" even more true.

I've had a couple of days to turn it over in my head. I still like the idea.

agreed.

(funfact) Mr Gore and I share the same birthday...

Originally Posted by beautifulcartoon73

agreed.

(funfact) Mr Gore and I share the same birthday...

You were born March 31st 1948? :wink:

Originally Posted by William Jennings Bryan

Originally Posted by Chris'68

He's convinced me, Mr. Saari.

Convinced me that Gore's looking for the job, that is - I've always believed the man's ego was big enough. Wanting and getting are two different things, however.

Originally Posted by BoomerXer

Originally Posted by Virgil K. Saari

Mr. Bryan, you are crazy. :shock:

Sorry dude, I agree. That fact that he is conscious of generational theory would make him a contrived GC. An actor going by a script. A self-conscious Boomer trying too hard. Barf. Having said that, I like Al Gore - he is a man of conviction and feel he would be effective in a supporting role such as John the Baptist. :wink: Circumstances produce the GC, not the wish to be one.

I don't know how far to run with this, but like I said, I wouldn't be surprised whatsoever if he has S&H's ideas in mind. And yes, you are both very right in that he'd need a stroke of luck to make it work. But as someone once told me, one possible definition of luck is when "preparation meets opportunity".

How true. :wink:

During the 1990s, I thought that Al Gore running for president in 2000 would be a waste of a Gray Champion, as I then thought that the 4T would start in 2008-2009 and his term(s) would be over by then. I thought that he should run later, as he would then be president in time for the Crisis. Glad to see I'm not alone in that thought!

I have thought too that Gore may be back. I knew 2004 wasn't the time astrologically; I wasn't that sure about him running in 2000 either for that matter, as I thought if he had won he would have served for only one term. I think much of the country has the feeling that he was rightfully elected, so why not give the guy what he earned?

I think it's a good prediction that Bush will self-destruct. We'll see. I really thought Kerry had a chance.

It may be later than 2008 for Gore, as the best time for champions may be toward the end of the 4T. But as you say, there may be several champions.

I said once I thought Hillary would be the one. She is the likely nominee in 2008, but might face competition from Dean, Gore, Edwards or even Kerry.

I wonder how Hillary might be elected. That's another thread; but she'll have to hold the blue states and take a medium to big red one. Do they hate Hillary in Ohio? She certainly is a polarizing figure, but doesn't always dare to live up to her reputation. Would Ms. Scorpio be another moderate like Bill, or really go for the jugular?

I have a friend and radio colleague who was born I think one day from Al Gore; same year. Interesting that he's in the Green Party and also into finances. His personality seems similar too. I think he was also born the same time of the day.

Originally Posted by Vince Lamb '59

During the 1990s, I thought that Al Gore running for president in 2000 would be a waste of a Gray Champion, as I then thought that the 4T would start in 2008-2009 and his term(s) would be over by then. I thought that he should run later, as he would then be president in time for the Crisis. Glad to see I'm not alone in that thought!

GMTA

Originally Posted by Eric the Green

I have thought too that Gore may be back. I knew 2004 wasn't the time astrologically; I wasn't that sure about him running in 2000 either for that matter, as I thought if he had won he would have served for only one term. I think much of the country has the feeling that he was rightfully elected, so why not give the guy what he earned?

I think it's a good prediction that Bush will self-destruct. We'll see. I really thought Kerry had a chance.

It may be later than 2008 for Gore, as the best time for champions may be toward the end of the 4T. But as you say, there may be several champions.

I said once I thought Hillary would be the one. She is the likely nominee in 2008, but might face competition from Dean, Gore, Edwards or even Kerry.

I wonder how Hillary might be elected. That's another thread; but she'll have to hold the blue states and take a medium to big red one. Do they hate Hillary in Ohio? She certainly is a polarizing figure, but doesn't always dare to live up to her reputation. Would Ms. Scorpio be another moderate like Bill, or really go for the jugular?

I have a friend and radio colleague who was born I think one day from Al Gore; same year. Interesting that he's in the Green Party and also into finances. His personality seems similar too. I think he was also born the same time of the day.

Isn't Gore's "Saturn's Return" coming up?

One thing's for certain - if Gore does seek the Presidency in 2008, "moral values" won't be his Achilles heel, thanks to his wife (I can't believe I'm actually saying something positive about Tipper - but I guess I just did!).

Originally Posted by William Jennings Bryan

Originally Posted by Vince Lamb '59

During the 1990s, I thought that Al Gore running for president in 2000 would be a waste of a Gray Champion, as I then thought that the 4T would start in 2008-2009 and his term(s) would be over by then. I thought that he should run later, as he would then be president in time for the Crisis. Glad to see I'm not alone in that thought!

GMTA

CPSD :shock:

Originally Posted by Virgil K. Saari

Originally Posted by William Jennings Bryan

Originally Posted by Vince Lamb '59

During the 1990s, I thought that Al Gore running for president in 2000 would be a waste of a Gray Champion, as I then thought that the 4T would start in 2008-2009 and his term(s) would be over by then. I thought that he should run later, as he would then be president in time for the Crisis. Glad to see I'm not alone in that thought!

GMTA

CPSD :shock:

No comprendo. :?:

Originally Posted by Hermione Granger

Originally Posted by Virgil K. Saari

Originally Posted by William Jennings Bryan

Originally Posted by Vince Lamb '59

During the 1990s, I thought that Al Gore running for president in 2000 would be a waste of a Gray Champion, as I then thought that the 4T would start in 2008-2009 and his term(s) would be over by then. I thought that he should run later, as he would then be president in time for the Crisis. Glad to see I'm not alone in that thought!

GMTA

CPSD :shock:

No comprendo. :?:

_razy _eople _hare _elusions

Originally Posted by William Jennings Bryan

Originally Posted by beautifulcartoon73

agreed.

(funfact) Mr Gore and I share the same birthday...

You were born March 31st 1948? :wink:

I..Oh NO! I'm a BOOMER !?! :shock:

In case anyone hasn't noticed, Hillary Rodham is currently the front runner for the Democratic Party nomination for President in 2008. Of course, since there are many in the Democratic Party who are convinced that Gore actually won E2K, only to have it stolen out from under him, the standing Democrat habit of not giving a losing Presidential candidate a second chance might not apply to him. Even so, I'd bet that he'd find her to be a tough opponent in the primaries, to say the least. Edwards could try his luck, too. However, I can see Hillary Rodham and Howard Dean doing a deal, where he gets the DNC Chair, and in return, she gets nothing but lightweight opponents (sacrificial lambs) for the primaries. Gore (and/or Edwards) throwing his hat into the ring would mess that deal up, and honk them both off, in that scenario.

i thought gore and dean were best buds now

Gore gave speeches for Dean toward the end of Dean's Primary run, didn't he?