Some Democrats see the neutral Gore as a potential powerbroker. (Getty Images)
(CNN) – He's increasingly mentioned as a potential Democratic powerbroker, but former Vice President Al Gore said Thursday he still expects his party's heated White House race will resolve itself.
"What have we got, five months left?" Gore told the Associated Press after delivering a speech at Middle Tennessee State University.
"I think it's going to resolve itself, but we'll see," he added.
The former vice president did not say whether he expected the race will be resolved before the party's convention in late August.
His comments come as Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said in several interviews that he hopes the party's approximately 350 undecided superedelegates make their decision by July 1 — less than a month after the final primary contests in Montana and South Dakota.
As the Democratic race drags on, Gore's name has been invoked as a neutral Democratic party elder who could forge a compromise between the two candidates, or even appear on the top of the presidential ticket himself.
Earlier this week, Democratic Rep. Tim Mahoney of Florida suggested Gore, the party’s 2000 presidential nominee, could assume the role of a compromise candidate if neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama could broker a deal.
"If it goes into the convention, don’t be surprised if someone different is at the top of the ticket,” he told a Florida newspaper, adding Gore could be that choice.
TIME.com: Is Al Gore the answer?
– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
From CNN Politics
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What is Mahoney smoking? Why would there be "someone different at the top of the ticket"? Especially if that "someone" never campaigned in a single primary? With millions of voters scratching their heads, "hey, I didn't vote for this guy, in fact, NOBODY did!", that would rip the party apart for sure!
All Democrats have always believed that Gore should Govern our nation...
Senator Obama os not ready, it is in fact, that simple...
Al Gore, What the Heck! Just how is this issue going to resolve itself? You know the workings of the Clinton campaign machine better than anyone not a Clinton. Your endorsement alone would put a quick end to the nearly devastating interparty squabble going on and on. Stop with the don't be surprise nonsense! Hillary and the Clinton machine surely are no threat to you, are they? Step up to the plate and say who is the party's best hope as president and do it now! The country is in need of your wisdom, take time from your environmental quests and come to the aid of your countrymen!
Can't wait for Gore to tell Hillary to end her hopelessness...tick tock.
Al Gore is not the answer. Never was never will be.
At this point I think I have given up on understanding how this 'process' works.
Al Gore needs to tell Hillary the inconvenient reality that she need to bow out or it will be her fualt if Mccain wins the white house.
Al Gore probably won't get into the race nor endorse any of the candidates. The reason is because he is now an international figure and US politics will have a dampening effect on his newfound placement in the world.
The idea of vice president Gore saving the party has past.He could have promoted his climate warnings from the power of the presidency but chose to do it as an ordinary citizen. I am a Gore fan and felt let down when he decided not to run.He past up a chance for the most powerful office in the world, a bully pulpit for the climate cause why? Think of what he could have done with a unified party behind him!
I've officially read this article three times, finally coming to the conclusion that it says absolutely nothing at all. You can tell CNN and Alexander Mooney is as excited about this election as any of us, though!
I don't think that Al Gore is the answer to the Democrat's dilemma, but rather a Clinton-Obama ticket against John McCain. Yes, I've heard it all before that such a ticket is "impossible", but it's beginning to look like the Democrats' chance of victory in November might be impossible without such a ticket.
Forget it. Gore would need a coronation and Obama first in line for that
Let the voters have a chance to vote! Obama and DNC are quick to state that he is presumed nominee, I disagree, let the voter decide! Obama already has disenfranchised Michigan and Florida, by not allowing a re-vote. His campaign wants the delegates divided equally, that's not going to happen. He spent 1.3 million on radio and tv ads in Florida . He took his name off the ballot in Michigan. I voted in Michigan and if my vote then doesn't count, why would I vote for Obama in November if he get the nomination. I will vote though for Hillary!
Al Gore is another guy I'd never vote for. He was a loser in 2000, and he's still a loser today.
Now Gore is a man I could vote for!
can we get joe biden to come back and save us?
Let the race go and the democratic process will work itself out.
Definitely Al is not the answer. If either candidate is forced to quit the race, the outcome will be a tragedy. Hillary will win anyway
Gore should run as an independent. That will be ideal!
Yes, Al Gore can solve the problem if he backs Hillary Clinton.
I think he's smart enough to know all the "YES WE CAN" speeches
just aren't going to cut it. I sincerely hope that when Hillary is elected
she boots Richardson and the rest out the door. How can you believe
in a canadate and then switch over to better your career.SAD>
SAD>SAD>
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Al Gore also one of the so-called "Super-Delegates?"
The thing Dean and Gore have to do as leaders of the Democratic Party is to get behind Obama and end the divisiveness and dirty tricks from the Clinton campaign. The bullies will back off when everyone stands solidly against them.
I would love a Clinton-Gore ticket again. Sounds like a real winner!!!
At this point, I think who ever gets the nominee whether Obama or Hillary there will be some backlash.....so maybe we do need Gore on the top of the ticket!!!! Because the way things are going...McCain is packing his boxes and heading straight into the white house!!
Gore/Clinton.......WOW that would work!
God bless Al Gore, I want him as my president!!!
One thing I do know: Obama and Hillary are not going through all this just to step aside and let Al Durge sit on top of the ticket. The two of them will play the happy couple before Gore will be on that one.
It'll be a chilly morning before anyone sees Al Gore as a viable threat to anything. Except global warming.