Obama lines up Gore as environment chief

Paul Thompson
London Evening Standard
Tuesday, Dec 09, 2008

AL GORE was today in private talks with president-elect Barack Obama amid speculation he could be asked to join the new administration.

The pair were meeting at the transition office in Chicago where Mr Obama has been based since his election night victory. Mr Obama is a long-standing admirer of the environmental champion and former Democratic vice-president.

He has yet to appoint his energy or environmental secretary, both roles suited to Mr Gore. He could also be taken on board as an adviser.

In Mr Gore, 60, who won a Nobel prize for his efforts on the effects of climate change, and featured in the Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth, Mr Obama has one of the most recognisable figures on the issue.

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At an event in Pennsylvania during his primary campaign, then-senator mr Obama was asked if he would bring Mr Gore into a cabinet position. He replied: “I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this problem.” Mr Obama’s aides last night played down any talk of Mr Gore being made “energy czar”, and that the meeting was to discuss how climate change “policies can stimulate the economy”.

Sources close to Mr Gore hinted he was unlikely to want to return to government. But Mr Obama has proven persuasive in convincing senior politicians to join him after President Bush steps down, most notably Hillary Clinton who accepted the role of Secretary of State.

Mr Gore has also acted as an adviser to Gordon Brown on how Britain can help eradicate causes of global warming.

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