Politician · person

Al Gore on Bill Clinton

Complex loyal ally (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Al Gore maintained loyalty to Bill Clinton during scandals while privately seeking political distance for his own presidential bid.

Key Points

The two men established an informal public distance for eight years following the end of their terms in January 2001.
During the 1996 election cycle, Gore defended the President during the campaign finance controversy, stating his calls for funds were charged to the DNC, using the phrase "no controlling legal authority."
In his 2000 presidential campaign, Gore announced his candidacy by stating that the President had lied to him.

Summary

Al Gore served as Vice President under Bill Clinton for two full terms, developing an exceptionally close working relationship where the President reportedly gave the Vice President unprecedented advisory roles and assignments on key issues, viewing him as his chief adviser and political partner. This partnership was characterized by mutual reliance, with one political consultant noting that Gore likely ran forty percent of the administration's work competently and loyally, despite Gore being a far more cautious and bureaucratic figure than the charismatic President.

However, the relationship was publicly strained by the Monica Lewinsky scandal; Gore initially defended the President, stating he was his friend and that he would support him, even after impeachment proceedings, driven by a sense of obligation and the realization that Clinton’s downfall would propel him to the presidency. Despite this loyalty, Gore strategically distanced himself during his 2000 presidential campaign, explicitly stating that the President had lied to him, and his selection of Joe Lieberman as a running mate was widely interpreted as a move to signal a break from the scandals of the Clinton White House.

Frequently Asked Questions

How close were Al Gore and Bill Clinton politically?

Al Gore and Bill Clinton shared an exceptionally close political partnership during their eight years in office, with Gore serving as the President’s indisputable chief adviser on many matters. One analyst noted that the loyalty was so deep that the Vice President likely handled 40% of the administration's work competently. However, this closeness made the subsequent scandals a significant political challenge for Gore.

Did Al Gore support Bill Clinton during the Lewinsky scandal?

Yes, Al Gore maintained public loyalty to President Clinton during the scandal and impeachment proceedings, viewing it as an obligation and recognizing that Clinton's removal would have immediately made Gore president. Despite this public defense, Gore was reportedly 'retching on the inside' due to the nature of the President's actions.

How did Al Gore distance himself from Bill Clinton in 2000?

As Al Gore campaigned for the presidency in 2000, he began to signal a separation from the Clinton administration's baggage, noting that the President had lied to him. Furthermore, his choice of Joe Lieberman as his running mate was widely seen as an attempt to create a political contrast with the perceived vices of the previous administration.