Al Gore announced
his endorsement of Barack Obama on Monday and promised
to help the Democrat achieve what eluded himself -- the
presidency.
In a letter to be
e-mailed to Obama supporters, the former vice president
and Nobel Prize-winner wrote, "From now through
Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make
sure he is elected president of the United States."
In 2000, Gore won
the popular vote but lost the disputed 2000 election to
George W. Bush, who captured Florida and its electoral votes
after a divided Supreme Court ended the recount. Since
then, Gore has made combating global warming his
signature issue, and has been recognized worldwide for
his effort -- including an Academy Award for a documentary
for his effort and the Nobel Prize.
Gore is one of
the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, but he
maintained a low profile in the primary campaign. He's
planning to appear with Obama at a rally in Detroit on
Monday night.
It's the second
time that Obama has rolled out a major endorsement in
Michigan, a state he did not campaign in during the primary
because its election violated the party rules. Obama
is counting on a win in Michigan in November, but
brought Gore and 2004 vice presidential nominee John
Edwards to help validate him among Democrats in the state
after skipping their primary.
"It means a lot,
obviously," Obama said of Gore's support, as he
greeted workers outside the General Motors Flint Engine
South plant. "He's somebody who is a visionary, not
just for the party but for the country."
Gore also asked
for donations to help fund Obama's effort, the first time
he's asked members of his Web site AlGore.com to contribute
to a political campaign.
"Over the past 18
months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows
change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. or Capitol
Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action,"
Gore wrote. "With the help of millions of supporters
like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so
desperately need in order to solve our country's most
pressing problems."
Obama focused on
his plan to improve the economy while in Michigan, which
has the nation's highest unemployment rate. He told a crowd
in Flint, which had a seasonally unadjusted April
unemployment rate of 9.3%, that they cannot fear
globalization but must embrace it as a reality of the
future.
"At critical
moments of transition like this one, success has also
depended on national leadership that moved the country
forward with confidence and a common purpose," he
said. (AP)