Al Gore Leadership '02 fundraiser--Feb. 22, 2002.

Gore steps up political activity with a round of Leadership '02 fundraisers

Washington, DC--Feb. 22, 2002. Former Vice President Al Gore did his first public fundraiser for Leadership '02, his leadership PAC, on Friday evening at Gordon Biersch brewery restaurant in downtown Washington. Jano Cabrera, Leadership '02 communications director, said he expected about 200 people would turn out for the event, for which the suggested contribution was just $25. Cabrera was a wee bit off. Over 600 former campaign staff, former White House staff, and activists packed the restaurant. "This is bigger than we hoped or imagined," Cabrera said, pointing to people leaning over the upstairs railing for a better view.

Gore, looking relaxed, mingled with the youngish crowd for a while, and then was introduced by daughter Karenna Gore-Schiff. Standing atop a box, he spoke briefly. "The main thing I wanted to say to this group is thank you," Gore emphasized at the beginning of his remarks.

"I absolutely love Al Gore," said Jim Frazee, who served as field coordinator for the Gore/Lieberman campaign for 12 counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania and is now finishing a degree in political science history at UNLV. Asked whether he thought Gore would again be able to rally support if he decides to run in 2004, Frazee said, "Once you feel you we're burned, you just have a deeper bond, a deeper loyalty." "It's unfinished business," he added. Frazee said that Gore would face a couple of challenges if he seeks the Democratic nomination. His first challenge would be getting the donors excited again. Second, he said that unlike in 2000, labor does not want to commit themselves early. Nonetheless, Frazee said that in a crowded field Gore would have a huge advantage.

Paul Thornell, who served as deputy director of legislative affairs for Gore from September 1998 to the end of the Clinton administration, observed that, "There's nobody today who can go to Chicago, Tampa or St. Louis and rally the troops the way Al Gore can." "He clearly wants to stay engaged to help support Democrats," Thornell said.

Gore held his first fundraiser for Leadership '02 on February 19 at his home in Arlington, Virginia. The event raised over $100,000. All told he plans at least eight Leadership '02 events over a period of about four weeks (in Washington, DC on February 22; Miami and Fort Lauderdale, FL on February 27; Washington, DC on March 4; New York City on March 6; and California and Tennessee in early March). Leadership '02 also reported $385,460 in receipts in 2001 without doing any fundraisers or direct mail.

While the money raised for Leadership '02 will help elect Democratic candidates in 2002, the success of these efforts could ultimately pave the way for Gore to make a second presidential run in 2004.