It’s also worth remembering that Gore was essentially the Joe Lieberman of the Democrats in 1988. I remember having lunch with Bill Rusher back then (I was in college) and even he said that Gore was the most sensible of the lot (i.e. Democratic presidential candidates). Since then, of course, Gore went a little bonkers. But, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that he can talk the talk when he needs to (and the cameras aren’t on).