October 12, 2007
Posted: 09:00 AM ET

Ole Danbolt Mjos, chairman of the Nobel committee, displays a picture of Al Gore in Oslo, Norway, on Friday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Several Democratic presidential candidates released statements Friday congratulating Al Gore for winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson called the former vice president's efforts "awe-inspiring" and said in a written statement that he "has a remarkable record of public service. For over twenty years, he has been dedicated to fighting global warming for our nation and the world. His Nobel Prize is well-deserved."

"By having the courage to challenge the skeptics in Washington and lead on the climate crisis facing our planet, Al Gore has advanced the cause of peace and richly deserves this reward," said Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in a written statement.

A message was posted on New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's website stating that Gore's "dedication and tireless work have been instrumental in raising international awareness about global warming."

North Carolina Sen. John Edwards released a statement as well, saying, "The Nobel Peace Prize rewards three decades of Vice President Gore's prescient and compelling — and often lonely — advocacy for the future of the Earth."

"His leadership stands in stunning contrast to the failure of the current administration to pursue policies that would reduce the harm of global warming," the statement read.

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd also joined the chorus of accolades, stating, "Al's tireless efforts to increase awareness of the threats of global warming have provided a powerful voice telling the world that we need to act now.”

Click here to see CNN's new political portal: CNNPolitics.com

– CNN Political Assignment Editor Katy Byron

Filed under: Democrats


Frank Honolulu Hawaii   October 13th, 2007 11:25 pm ET

Go Al! The first time around I thought he was boring and milk toast. Now I see him in a different light. I'm actually proud of him and I think it would be the best thing for the United States to have him as an executive. Washington and politics in general are a dark, stinky muck, I wouldn't blame anyone for not jumping into it. but it is a very powerful position that someone could do a lot of good for the world. He kinda does look like Superman.

Terry, El Paso, TX   October 13th, 2007 10:22 am ET

Some people here criticize the Nobel selection committee for the choice of Gore, saying that Gore's work is not strictly consistent with the Nobel charter. They say the prize should go to those who negotiate peace treaties or who arrange cease fire agreements during wartime.

Let us imagine that the predictions of climatologists are true, that continued pollution of the air will result in the melting of ice and rising of sea level. Let us suppose that coastal cities are gradually submerged and much of their population displaced. Let us suppose that China and India dramatically increase their consumption of oil and their production of pollutants and the rest of the third world follows their lead. Let us also suppose that the human race continues to breed like ferrets and that the population in 2050 grows to the predicted ten billion (6.5 billion now), all wanting a car, all using electricity, all using lots of plastic products, and all sitting still in their idling cars on gridlocked freeways.

Do we imagine that life will just go on happily forever for Americans? Isn't there a good possibility that the quality of life will deteriorate dramatically? Won't our children curse the memory of us for leaving such a mess for them? Could there be a war over oil? Could India invade the middle east to seize oil fields? Could the developing middle east decide to keep their oil rather than sell it to us? Would we allow that?

Climatologists say there is still time to turn the situation around, but I am skeptical. How can that many minds be changed in so few years. Fortunately for me, I will be dead, having lived a full lifetime in a kinder era.

Many of you, however, will still be alive in 2050. Best of luck to you.

Rick, Kansas City, MO   October 13th, 2007 2:04 am ET

Ahh….Congratulations Mr. Gore. You have joined the likes of Yassir Arafat.

Must be an honor…

beth, portola california   October 12th, 2007 11:14 pm ET

Al Gore will be remembered in history as a visionary, someone who strived to achieve something for the good of humanity. Bush will be remembered as a selfish destroyer of the American Consitution and one who authorized crimes against humanity in Irag, destabilizing the middle east for decades based on an ill conceived plan for profit for his oil buddies.

Dyer, Columbus Oh.   October 12th, 2007 10:51 pm ET

The socialist Europeans have become indoctrinated by Al Gore's publicist.

John McCarthy, Newport News, VA   October 12th, 2007 9:42 pm ET

Buya Clueseau, your opinion about Bush NOT being the worst president is mere opinion, and is thusly a logical fallacy.

Joe, Yorktown, VA   October 12th, 2007 9:40 pm ET

Additionally, some Americans, I've noticed will take a partisan approach to almost anything. You cannot take a partisan position against climate change. It is not a partisan issue; it is a multigenerational, multicultural issue. We're bright enough that we should research alternative methods to fuel our progressive planet and put antiquated and damaging industries behind us.

MR. BRUISER, DALLAS   October 12th, 2007 9:40 pm ET

OH YEAH THE DUMMYCRATS HAD A GEM IN CLINTON. GAVE OUR MISSLE SECRETS TO CHINA. SOLD MUCHO LAND TO THEM AND SOME RIGHT ACROSS FROM OUR NAVY BASE . WOW WHAT A BRAIN. AMERICA IS LOSS, HOPE YOU GUYS ARE HAPPY IF HILDA BEAST WINS OR ANY DUMMYCRAT. I THINK I QUIT WORK GET A DIVORCE SO MY EX WILL RECEIVE ALL THE FREE-BE'S AND MOVE BACK IN WITH HER TO ENJOY THEM. SOMEONE MUST WORK TO PROVIDE ALL THE GOOD STUFF THEY WILL PROVIDE.

Joe, Yorktown, VA   October 12th, 2007 9:37 pm ET

Hey Henry Tucker! Do you guys only get mainstream media websites in Georgia? Heh, 'cause I swear I was doing research after reading your conspiracy theorist rant here at CNN.com, and it looks like Ole Danbolt Mjos, chairman of the Nobel committee, is the leader of the Norway's Christian Peoples Party, a conservative group that takes a hard stance against abortion and stem cell research. I am not sure what setting you have your brain cooking on, but I think it's overboiling!

Pam Holt Los Angeles, CA   October 12th, 2007 8:51 pm ET

You can't be an environmentalist and eat meat, yet Gore does.

As much as I love him, I'm afraid it's just been a great career move for him since he does not walk the walk.

I guess that would be too "inconvenient" for him.

steve Loudon, TN   October 12th, 2007 8:02 pm ET

He joins the likes of Arafat, Hitler, Stalin, et. al as Peace Award recipient. What a phony.

Mac, Severn, Md   October 12th, 2007 7:18 pm ET

Why wasn't it the Nobel Prize for science?

Danny G. Boca Raton, FL   October 12th, 2007 6:14 pm ET

American Vice-president wins NOBEL PEACE prize think about that folks, and you on the right call yourselves patriots? yet you are the first to stone the man for winning such prestigious award… be proud that an American won, what is wrong with all of you? unless you were rooting for some other country I suppose… I tell you this much even if VP Chaney ever wins an international Award I will be proud that an American won. you can't go wrong with loving your country and the best it contains…

joseph, austin, tx   October 12th, 2007 5:56 pm ET

i think the dems should regulate that every school child on mars should have the pleasure of watching als' opinion piece "an inconvienent truth" so he can enlighten them as to why mars has been heating up faster than the earth is.

C.Evans, Columbus, Ohio   October 12th, 2007 5:36 pm ET

Al Gore is the ONLY choice for President…He is a Statesman and Visionary and that is what we need to get out of our BIG MESS. He is our LAST HOPE.
Obama and Clinton act positively self-interested and juvenile…i cringe at the thought of either these two running the country…

Chris, Middletown, CT   October 12th, 2007 5:15 pm ET

Joining Arafat a terrorist..and now Gore…a scare-orist - does this organization have any credibility after Arafat?

Buya Clueseau, Detroit, MI USA   October 12th, 2007 4:44 pm ET

Kris, Toronto, ON Said: "….I wonder if Bush will ever win a prize? Oh yeah, he already did.

WORST PRESIDENT, EVER."

….and my best line from the late Rodney Dangerfield to you, Kris, "

'AH Canada! What if they gave a country and nobody came?"

Seems to me if you studied US history, there were far worse presidents. Now before you go off on a rant, we could look at Pierre Trudeau and his disasterous leadership and marriage follies. Don't want to go there?

Pete, T.S. FL   October 12th, 2007 3:50 pm ET

You people amaze me! An American has won a great recognition and all you can do is slam him. Have you no shame? I for one am proud of my fellow citizen for taking a stand for what is not only right for America but for what is right for our planet. It really doesn’t matter what is causing the climate changes, the fact is they are happening and they are happening fast. So should we as humans look at all possible causes for this or do we simply ignore the ones that point at us?

The good news is that by us voicing our unqualified opinions we at least keep the subject relevant.

Joe Deitering Anoka, Minn.   October 12th, 2007 3:43 pm ET

I saw an "inconvenient truth". Did anyone else notice the absence of critisism of the auto industry, the auto unions and the recent and incumbent pols who run from any mention of increasing fleet mileage requirements? It's all about bio-fuels and wind power. If we saved HALF of the fuel we waste, there would be no gasoline crisis and a helluva lot less global warning. Let's face it, a three ton SUV or Pickup uses more fuel, spews more noxious emmisions, and is harder on the highways than economy cars. That's not to mention that they require about twice the amount of natural resources to build. I see it coming, when the automakers can't GIVE away another behomoth, they will have their hands out for a federal bailout.
What we really need is a dollar a gallon gas tax with the money dedicated to tax credits or whatever it takes to phase out gas hogs. Americans are energy pigs. Heated seats? Come on. It makes me want to puke. The last case of profligacy this blantant was the systematic slaughter of 100 million buffalo. I predict that in 50 years we will be a third rate power, if we exist at all. It's sad.

Colony 14 author, Mount Prospect, Illinois   October 12th, 2007 3:32 pm ET

Scientists have noticed that the planet Mars has also been warming over the last few decades. Maybe Gore had better go there and persuade the Martians to give up their Hummers. (Oh, wait, he once tried persuading his boss to give up hummers, but was quickly thrown out of the Oval Office and told to mind his own business.)

Scientists have shown that increases in carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere have FOLLOWED global warming, and did not precede it and cause it, and the phenomenon has happened many times over thousands of years - long before man started burning fossil fuels. But blaming global warming on natural, cyclical causes unfortunately doesn't justify socialist plans to nationalize industries and create a one-world nanny-state government run by the elites, so they have to blame everyone who isn't "as sophisticated" as Ed Begley, Jr. Hey, Al, why don't you just put all the carbon dioxide into your "lock-box" to keep it from escaping and hurting anyone? Or perhaps you could just hold your breath until the earth cools down. (The last time I checked, people in the red states and the blue states all exhale carbon dioxide.)

And why the peace prize? Why not the "best-salesman-of-the-year" award for talking people into wasting hard-earned money on "carbon offsets?"

therealist   October 12th, 2007 3:32 pm ET

Hot off the BBC presses…

Disgracefull !!!

The Nobel prize is supposed to award excellence.

How does a propaganda film produced with wild exaggerations and inaccuracys of the truth warrant a prize of any desciption, let alone a Nobel Peace Prize.

The awarding of such an honour to a failed politician who is trying to jump on a popularist bandwagon in order to boost his own profile does not merit any form of achievement whatsoever.

Congradulations from Europe Al.

Hanz Blix, Paris France   October 12th, 2007 3:23 pm ET

AL Gore DID NOT INVENT THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE!!!!….STOP SAYING THAT!!!….Al Gore simply said that he "Was head of the COMMITTEE that invented the Nobel Peace Prize"…..(geez).

therealist   October 12th, 2007 3:21 pm ET

An Inconvenient Truth

BTW, did you know a British judge has ruled that at least 11 provable falsities are embedded in "An Inconvenient Truth". Schoolers in Britain now hear a disclaimer about factual content before they see this Nobel Prize winners movie.

Howard Dean   October 12th, 2007 3:18 pm ET

YYYYYEEEEEEEEAAAAAAOOOOWWWWAAAAAAA!!!!

Sincerely,
Howard Dean

Jack,White Plains,ny   October 12th, 2007 2:36 pm ET

Good going Al Gore! You're great you told what had to be told. It's a wake up call for America.

ronnie - knoxville, tn.   October 12th, 2007 2:26 pm ET

The problem with Al Gore is that his theories are theories; his whole movement is not grounded in scientific fact. He doesn't allow for eventual disprovement of his theory. He insists that what he thinks is fact, and cannot ever be disproven. That's wrong.

Laura - Tulsa, OK   October 12th, 2007 2:23 pm ET

I suppose I would have a bit of respect for Al Gore if he would debate some of the people who want to present him with opposing facts. But he declines. Why?

RightyTighty   October 12th, 2007 2:19 pm ET

I'm glad Gore won too. Twenty years from now I will thoroughly enjoy looking back and laughing at the complete ignorance displayed last night. Not going to let you forget.. I'm going to keep reminding you, much the way we do about the scientist that once thought the world was flat, or were sure the earth was the center of the universe. Twenty years ago they were positive about global cooling and now the same scientists are positively positive about the dire effects of rapid global warming. Yes, something to laugh about in retirement. Poor Al..

Henry Tucker, Ga   October 12th, 2007 2:15 pm ET

"By Mr. Tucker's definition, next year's nobel peace prize should be given to Bush and Cheney by bringing peace and love among Muslims, Christians, and Jews."

Sadly, Linda, the Nobel Peace Prize isn't awarded to those leaders that actually pursue terrorists and hold firm to the principles of freedom.

No, the prize is better suited for people like Yasser Arafat who founded the terrorist organization (PLO) and openly supported other terrorists groups (Hamas) that targeted innocent women/children through suicide bombings.

By the way… it's not my definition. Read for youself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Peace_Prize

therealist   October 12th, 2007 2:06 pm ET

Yeah sure…, the Democrats are happy Al finally got some recognition. But I'll bet there's a lot of pissed off "serious scientist" out there that deserved that reward a lot more than he did..

Linda C., Birmingham, AL   October 12th, 2007 1:56 pm ET

By Mr. Tucker's definition, next year's nobel peace prize should be given to Bush and Cheney by bringing peace and love among Muslims, Christians, and Jews.

Kris, Toronto, ON   October 12th, 2007 1:42 pm ET

One can only imagine what this world would be like right now if the Supreme Court had decided that Gore won the presidency.

I wonder if Bush will ever win a prize? Oh yeah, he already did.

WORST PRESIDENT, EVER.

Henry Tucker, Ga   October 12th, 2007 1:41 pm ET

The Nobel Peace Prize was established to acknowledge: "the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses".

HOW has Gore helped "the abolition or reduction of standing armies" or "promotion of peace congresses"??

He hasn't.

This organization (Nobel Peace Prize) has simply become another appendage of the liberal/socialist movement - promoting the voices of their pet causes. PEACE has nothing to do with the recognition of Al Gore.

Pat, Huntington, Ny   October 12th, 2007 1:32 pm ET

Those criticizing Gore on his Nobel Peace Prize obviously did not see or read an Inconvenient Truth. If they did, they would think very differently.

joseph   October 12th, 2007 1:29 pm ET

what a surprise libs patting libs on the back telling each other good job.

Pete, T.S. FL   October 12th, 2007 1:19 pm ET

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS to Al Gore!

Danny, or should I call you Rush or Ann, be glad people like Al Gore are getting the world to at least look at Global Warming. Open your eyes and look around you, our earth is changing.

Or you could simply listen to the same people that brought you Iraq, I am sure they will tell you the truth!!!!!

John, Denver, CO   October 12th, 2007 1:08 pm ET

Danny, Please learn the proper use of English grammar before you criticize the work of others. People like you are what is wrong with this world - unintelligent, mindless, people who believe more than they think.

Tom, ALBUQUERQUE, NM   October 12th, 2007 12:45 pm ET

A NOBEL PRIZE FOR A NOBLE MAN. AN AMERICAN ICON.

Big-ole Democrat, NY, NY   October 12th, 2007 12:44 pm ET

It would be interesting to see if Edwards, obama, and Clinton back-step on their "praise" and back-slapping if Gore decides to run for President.

Danny   October 12th, 2007 12:35 pm ET

Al Gore does not deserve the Nobel Peace prize. He does not deserve emmy as well. What did he do to bring peace to the world. Imagine Yasser Arafat, Jimmy Carter got peace award in the past. They do not desrve it either. Al Gore cannot even prove that global warming takes place because of all of us humans.

Richard Lou, Kansas City, MO   October 12th, 2007 12:32 pm ET

I wonder if there is any praise coming from the Republican camp? May be not. Because, these people will never appreciate a good work from a democrat and especially Gore and secondly these folks still consider global warming a hoax.

Big'ole Democrat   October 12th, 2007 12:23 pm ET

I would be insteresting to see Obama, Clinton, and Edwards have to back-step on all the "praise" and back-slapping if Gore decides to run for President and they are forced to run against him in the primaries.

J Houston, TX   October 12th, 2007 12:23 pm ET

Democrats congratulate themselves on more made-up stuff. News Media rejoices, declares today "best day like totally ever man." Hippies buy new bumper stickers saying "Don't question liberal authority."

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com