CNN cites a source “source involved in Gore’s past political runs” as saying:

he will not run, because he won’t take on the political machine assembled by Sen. Hillary Clinton, said the source. If the senator from New York had faltered at all, Gore would take a serious look at entering the race, the source said. But Gore has calculated that Clinton is unstoppable, according to the source.

Hmm. Who would CNN have on speed-dial to give a quick response to the Nobel news, who’s been involved with Gore’s past campaigns? (Note plural.)

Somebody like…

Donna Brazile… former Campaign Manager for Gore-Lieberman 2000… Brazile is a weekly contributor and political commentator on CNN’s Inside Politics and American Morning… A veteran of numerous national and statewide campaigns, Brazile has worked on … Clinton-Gore in 1992 and 1996.

Also note Brazile told ABC News,

Gore confidantes aren’t optimistic. Former Gore campaign manager Donna Brazile tells The Note, “I don’t know if this will re-shape him or allow him to move back gracefully into politics. I believe Gore wants to be above the fray and not back in the middle.” But, Brazile said, he can wield his enhanced power with an endorsement (one he hopes turns out better than his support of Howard Dean, of course: “With the Nobel Prize now his to claim, Gore can play kingmaker and help the Dems win the White House in 2008.”

If Brazile is right, t’s a shame we’ll never see Al Gore take on Hillary Clinton… talk about a clash of the Democratic titans.

Ramesh is discussing a Gore run over at the WashingtonPost.com.