Senator Barack Obama was pleased to announce yesterday the support of former Vice President Al Gore. In a speech in Flint, MI, Gore threw his considerable influence behind the Illinois Senator, urging Democrats to volunteer, donate and unite behind the party's nominee. Let the healing continue!

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AP:

Al Gore says he is backing Barack Obama and will do whatever he can to help him get to the White House.

In a letter to be e-mailed to Obama supporters, Gore says Obama has united a movement over the past year and a half. The former vice president also asks for donations to help fund Obama's effort — the first time he's asked members of his Web site AlGore.com to contribute to a political campaign.

On a related note, James Carville made a compelling case last week on CNN for putting Gore on the ticket. Although it seems to me that Gore would only want to be back in the White House as President, there is no more influential position in the world for him to further his cause than as Barack Obama's Vice President. It's probably a long shot, but he would make a wonderful fit in my opinion. Especially if you view it in the context which Carville lays out:

BLITZER: You have a unique idea, James, for an excellent running mate for Barack Obama, someone with some experience.

CARVILLE: Yes. I think if I was Senator Obama I would say the biggest economic problem we face is the biggest national security problem and the biggest environmental problem. And if I were him I would ask Al Gore to serve as his vice president and energy czar in his administration to reduce our consumption and reliance on foreign energy sources. That would send a signal to the world, to the American people, to the Congress, to everybody that America's getting serious about this horrendous problem that we face.

The Ragin' Cajun is dead-on about this: The biggest problem we face in this country, one that touches every critical aspect of public policy, is the energy crisis, specifically our dependency on foreign oil. There is no bigger champion and more-respected figure in the entire world on this than Al Gore. He would make one heckuva VP...again.

Full Gore endorsement email below the fold:

Message from Al Gore: "My Endorsement"; Watch the Live Stream Tonight at 8:30 pm EDT

Former Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize laureat Al Gore just sent out this email...

Dear Friend,

A few hours from now I will step on stage in Detroit, Michigan to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama. From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States.

Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges -- including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.

This moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action.

That's why I am asking you to join me in showing your support by making a contribution to this campaign today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/...

Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action.

With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country's most pressing problems.

If you've already contributed to this campaign, I ask that you consider making another contribution right now. If you haven't, please take the next step and own a piece of this campaign today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/...

On the issues that matter most, Barack Obama is clearly the right choice to lead our nation.

We have a lot of work to do in the next few months to elect Barack Obama president, and it begins by making a contribution to this campaign today.

Thank you for joining me,

Al Gore