Just a non-political note on Al Gore:
Al grew up mostly in Washington DC, but he spent a lot of time on the family farm in Carthage, Tennessee. His father, Albert Gore, was in Congress for many years and was always a well respected gentleman. When I was a kid in Nashville, I often saw famous people from Tennessee, including Frank Clement and his son Bob, Minnie Pearl (known to locals as Mrs. Sarah Cannon), Dinah Shore, Albert Gore and his son Al, Howard Baker, Roy Acuff, and Tom Ewell.

The Gores were always warm and friendly. They believed in education, patriotism, and equality.

Al is very much like his father. He is one of the most intelligent people I have ever come in contact with.
Howard