Gore famously lost out in 2000 on the “who would you rather have a beer with?” test (although frankly a beer with Bush sounds pretty unbearable). In 2008 it is a distinct possibility that the average American will reconsider whether they want someone from the local pub in charge of their very large and powerful country, and whether they wouldn’t perhaps have a slightly nerdy but extremely competent technocrat at the helm. It’s even possible that some moderate voters will see a vote for Gore as a kind of apology after what can generously be described as a disastrous two terms under Bush following his narrow win.