Al Gore not picking sides in Dem race

by Jesse Byrnes - 05/23/16 10:41 AM ET

Former Vice President Al Gore, who served under former President Bill Clinton, is still not endorsing in the Democratic presidential race in which Hillary Clinton holds a big lead over Bernie Sanders.

{mosads}”I’ve gotten signals that you could easily interpret that way,” Gore responded when asked during an interview aired Monday on NBC’s “Today” show whether either Democrat had sought his endorsement.

NBC reported Monday that Gore said in their interview that he “will back the Democratic nominee.”

Gore also indicated in the NBC interview that he’s been surprised by the tone of the 2016 race.

“I’m one of millions who, sometimes, just, I do a double take: ‘Whoa, what was that?'” Gore said. “It’s been unusual.”

Gore argued presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump “has said some things on the climate crisis that I think should concern everyone.”

But he left open the possibility that there could be some “hope” with Trump.

“I’m not Pollyannaish about it, but I do think that there is still some basis for hope,” Gore insisted.

“President [Jimmy] Carter said that he hopes he’ll be malleable,” Gore said, adding with a laugh, “I don’t know.”

Gore was pressed several times last year on endorsing in the Democratic race. He said in November it was “still too early” to endorse, telling People magazine, “The election is still a full year away. I think I’ll wait to wade into it.”

An aide later told Politico that the former vice president had “no plans to endorse” in the primary.

Tags 2016 Democratic primary 2016 presidential election Al Gore Bernie Sanders Bill Clinton Donald Trump Hillary Clinton