I wonder what your purpose is to focus on this.

First off, what is your original source for these accusations? I don't want to go sifting through your old dKos diaries to find the ultimate source. Has this accusation been demonstrated to be true or is it mere rumor? Does it come from a right wing propoganda site? I know I could probably find it by sifting through your old diaries but I am asking as a favor that you reveal your source here.

Are you saying Gore has lied about his qualifications?

This information really is only relavent if Gore has misrepresented his qualifications. Please let us know when he did this so we can know if this information is relavent. Our own Congresswoman, Yvette Clarke, infamously lied about her education blatantly...as is our hew mother Una Clarke (calling herself a "doctor"). Has Gore done the equivalent>

Do you feel that Al Gore is unqualified?

Al Gore is amply accomplished. Arguably moreso than Hillary. He has experienced war, though as a correspondent for the army. He has served in government on multiple levels. He is extremely well respected internationally, something we could use in the White House. Now I have never heard the same being said about Hillary, but it could well be true. One can argue that BOTH Hillary AND Gore have experienced what it is like to be in the White House and would bring that experience back to the White House. But if Al Gore is unqualified to serve in the White House, then I don't think you can claim Hillary is.

Are you saying Gore is not smart?

I have heard him speak and he is extremely intelligent. He wowed an audience with a 90 min. slide show on global warming. I saw that slide show with 2 climate scientists. They were impressed. He brings intelligence to everything he does.

Are you saying Gore couldn't win because of this?

Al Gore is not exactly a neophyte to politics. He was VP and effectively won election in 2000, requiring the intervention of Katherine Harris and the Supreme Court to appoint Bush. So to SOME degree this is irrelavent except as an attempt to detract from one of Hillary's most direct competitors, should he wish to enter the race.

So, I am unclear your point here.

As to the dope smoking, big deal? I know recovered Heroin addicts in grad school. Bill Clinton smoked pot, and you KNOW he inhaled. A former colleague of mine, accomplished physician and scientist, did extensive drugs in his youth. So what? I don't necessarily advocate doing illegal drugs, but past use doesn't rule someone out from accomplishment.