Friday, Dec. 20, 2002 | 9:22 a.m.
Only the most naive were surprised by former Vice President Al Gore's formal announcement that he would not be a presidential candidate in the 2004 election. Just the night before anyone who saw his "in your face" hilarious performance as host of "Saturday Night Live" realized that this was actually his informal withdrawal from the race.
Throwing caution to the winds, Mr. Gore showed his intelligence, willingness to reveal his true self, and his incredible sense of humor despite having the presidency that he had won stolen before all of our eyes.
We watched, laughing and cheering at his honest portrayal of Sen. Trent Lott and other shameful Republicans, and mocked the hypocritical Republican "family values" agenda, knowing that most of their own families are in chaos.
He floored all of us with his insight into what is really happening to our formerly peaceful and prosperous country because of the incompetence of the present warmongering administration.
The expected outrage of humorless conservatives because of Mr. Gore's "undignified" performance is even more hysterical than the show. Has their ever been a more predictable entity in history than the Republican Party? Liberal Democrats and other equally intelligent Americans "got" Mr. Gore's message loud and clear.
Thank you, Mr. Gore, for the much needed humor and truths in these terrible times. Our only regret is that you would very possibly have been the greatest president in American history.
TONY DI MAGGIO
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