The Goresque Statement

Crossposted from Left Toon Lane, Bilerico Project & My Left Wing click to enlargeA lot of bandwidth has been used for the phrase "Shermanesque Statement" in reference to Gore's plans about the 2008 Presidential race. Gore is not one of those guys who uses words in an unmeasured fashion. From his years in Congress and the White House, Gore is known for his precise language. He has even been accused of being a total geek about it. When he said he will not make a "Shermanesque statement" about his plans to run, I seriously doubt he pulled that out of thin air. Let's look at the origins of the phrase. The term derives from the Sherman pledge, a remark made by American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman when he was being considered as a possible Republican candidate for the presidential election of 1884. He declined, saying "If drafted, I will not run; if nominated, I will not accept; if elected, I will not serve." Gore had to of known what the actual quote was. Hints at the future? Portents? Chicken entrails? The imagination runs wild. it is obvious to Gore and his staff that there is a HUGE movement afoot to draft him to run for 2008. I know, I called his office and they added me to a list of hundreds that call on the typical day. So if he ISN'T going to run, why not just say "time has passed for me to consider a run in 2008?" Why NOT make that Shermanesque statement? Could it be if drafted, he will run; if nominated, he will accept; if elected, he will serve? We can only hope.