WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Saying his "heart is full with the feeling of deep gratitude" for his 24 years in public life, former Vice President Al Gore Monday confirmed his decision not to seek the 2004 party ticket for president, opening the campaign field to other Democrats.
At a news conference in Raleigh, N.C., where he was appearing to sell his book "Joined at the Heart," which he co-wrote with his wife, Tipper, the former vice president said his candidacy against President George W. Bush would have been cast as "rematch that would have focused on the past." All races, he said, should focus on the future.
"I mean it when I say that my heart is full with a feeling of deep gratitude for the chance that I've had to serve my country," he said. "I don't know what the future holds."
Gore was relaxed and thoughtful at the news conference, telling reporters he is "at peace with that decision." He recalled a defeat of his father, Sen. Albert Gore, Sr. who lost a Senate race after 32 years in office. He asked young Al Gore what he should do. "Take the 32 years," he replied. And Monday, the former vice president said, like his father did, he was "going to take the 24 years."
Gore said he doubted he would he ever run for presidential office again and that running for any other office had not entered his mind. He said he had an opportunity in private business in Los Angeles and hoped to continue teaching. Gore has taught in Tennessee and at Columbia University in New York.
Gore said he promised no Democrat his endorsement for president, but added he won't rule out backing any one candidate. He said he called three Democrats, Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., who was his running mate in 2002; Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.
Gore said that despite the Republican victory at the midterm elections, he thought a Democratic candidate would have a "very good chance" against Bush as the public attention turned to the economy.
Gore's surprise withdrawal from the 2004 election Sunday opened the field for several Democrats.
Lieberman told reporters earlier Monday that the former vice president's decision Sunday freed him to make a study on whether to run. Lieberman acknowledged he has long told reporters he would "probably run if Al doesn't." Lieberman said his wife Hadassah and his family were supportive, but he wanted several more weeks to make a final decision. He admitted the timing of Gore's decision surprised him.
Lieberman thanked Gore for choosing him as a running mate, which arguably gave him the national name recognition to consider a run today. If he chose to run, he would be the third Jewish political figure to seek the presidency. The most recent was Sen. Arlen Specter, R. Pa., who had a brief try at it in 1996.
Lieberman would join what Capitol Hill wags called the "six pack" -- six Democrats who are looking at running:
Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War veteran has formed an exploration committee and began several weeks ago speaking out on national issues. Democrats view his war record as strong against Bush, who served in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam conflict. Kerry was an early leader in New Hampshire polls.
Former House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri backed Bush on the war in Iraq, but was one of the most stung by the sweeping Republican Senate and House victories in November and stepped down from his leadership post. He has been considered a Democratic White House hopeful for a decade.
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.: his confidants say he is studying whether to run. Daschle too was stung by the Democrats midterm election defeat.
Edwards has known to have eyed presidential chances, as has Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.
The timing of Gore's withdrawal Sunday on CBS' "60 Minutes" took Democrats by surprise. Gore, 54, who won the popular vote in the 2000 election by 500,000 votes, told viewers "there are a lot of people within the Democratic Party who felt exhausted (by the 2000 race) ... who felt like, 'OK, I don't want to go through that again.' Frankly I'm sensitive to that feeling."
Gore controls a $7 million nest egg from his failed presidential campaign. The funds could have financed the primary. Republicans had mixed feels about his departure. His failure to be able to exert influence on the Maryland governor's and the Missouri races last November, suggested he might have lost the primaries that could have made a Democratic candidate who beat him a "giant killer."
