Al Gore: 'Consider me exhibit A' for why each vote matters

Al Gore: 'Consider me exhibit A' for why each vote matters

Former Vice President Al Gore introduced himself to Florida millennials on Tuesday, telling them that his near miss in the 2000 presidential election is “exhibit A” for why it’s so important to vote.

Campaigning with Hillary Clinton in Miami, Gore highlighted two messages he wanted to share with the former secretary of state’s supporters.

“No. 1, when it comes to the most urgent issue facing our country and the world, the choice in this election is extremely clear. Hillary Clinton will make solving the climate crisis a top national priority,” Gore said. “Very important.”

Donald Trump, whom Gore referred to as “her opponent,” would take America “toward a climate catastrophe,” he said.

“Here’s my second message: Your vote really, really, really counts — a lot. You can consider me as an exhibit A of that group. Now, for those of you who are younger than 25, you might not remember the election of 2000 and what happened here in Florida and across the country,” Gore said, prompting boos from the crowd.

“For those of you older than 25, I heard you murmuring just now. But take it from me, it was a very close election,” Gore said, as supporters began to chant “You won! You won!”

“Here’s my point: I don’t want you to be in a position years from now where you welcome Hillary Clinton and say: ‘Actually, you did win. It just wasn’t close enough to make sure that all the votes were counted or whatever," Gore added.

Gore, who was VP in former President Bill Clinton’s administration, famously lost his 2000 White House bid versus George W. Bush in a case that went to the Supreme Court in a dispute over Florida’s votes, the winner of which would exceed the 270 electoral vote threshold necessary to clinch the presidency.

He ultimately retreated from politics after the high court ended his bid by deciding in a 5-4 case to discontinue the state’s recount.

Gore was among the biggest and longest holdouts to endorse Hillary Clinton’s campaign. He didn’t do until July, tweeting ahead of the Democratic National Convention that he would be voting for Clinton.

The former vice president urged supporters to register to vote ahead of the state’s deadline, which was extended to Wednesday in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. He repeatedly stressed that votes and elections matter.

“Elections have consequences. Your vote counts,” he said in one instance. “Your vote has consequences, and in this election, the future of Miami and cities up and down the West Coast and East Coast of Florida are on the ballot as well.”

“Please, take it from me: Every single vote counts. Every single vote counts,” he said in another. “If you are not registered to vote, do so today. If you are on the fence about whether to vote, remember what is at stake in this election, and if you think your vote does not matter, take it from me: Your vote can make all of the difference in this election. Vote early. Vote early, and don’t let your friends sit this election out.”

Gore outlined the need for a president who prioritizes the climate crisis — “a president who gets it, who cares about it, who’s internalized it, who’s passionate about it, who’s determined to lead our country and with our country to lead the world at the key moment when we really do have the opportunity to solve this climate crisis and make our country stronger and more prosperous at the same time,” he said.

Gore acknowledged that he was stumping for Clinton because “every vote counts.” “That’s why I am here and that’s why I will vote for Hillary Clinton,” he continued. “I know that my vote counts. I know that your vote counts.”

He told skeptics who are wary that they can solve the climate crisis to remember that “the will to change and build a brighter future is itself a renewable resource” — a line Clinton extolled as the two shook hands and hugged to conclude the rally.

“That’s a great line! I love that!” Clinton told the former VP.

Clinton opened the rally emphasizing the importance of climate change in remarks that lasted nearly a half-hour. She introduced Gore as “a climate change leader and an all-around great guy” and praised him for being “one of the world’s foremost leaders on climate change.”

She also ridiculed Trump, who has claimed that climate change is a hoax created by the Chinese and threatened to tear up the Obama administration’s global climate pact. Clinton warned voters not to elect a climate change denier — to the White House or any other office.

“On the ballot is not just my name. It’s every issue you care about,” she said. “It’s our values as a country. Climate change needs to be a voting issue. We need to elect people up and down the ballot at every level of government who take it seriously and are willing to roll up their sleeves and get something done. Please, we cannot keep sending climate deniers and defeatists to Congress or statehouses and certainly not to the White House.”