UPDATE: Some commenters seem to think Al is being treated unfairly. Gore press policy might be the reason we see this sort of thing happening. See the update below the “read more” line.
Seems that former Vice President Al Gore doesn’t like the cameras when people ask tough questions about the Arctic Sea ice, or Climategate, or er, anything. Lunch is more important than telling those pesky Fox News viewers how wrong they are.
Ambush journalism? Seemed good enough for CBS 60 minutes back when they were a real news program. Watch the video.
Alternate link if you are having trouble seeing the first:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmzCY-9lo6g
Here’s Al on the “ambush journalism” 60 Minutes show when the conditions are favorable to him:
No, Al would never associate himself with an outfit that does “ambush journalism“.
===================================================
UPDATE: Some WUWT readers may remember this post I did back in 2008:
Gore to press: Stay Out!
Credit: Robert Vamosi / CNET Networks
One blogger, Tim Wilson, with press credentials writes:
Gore, who reportedly receives $100,000 for personal appearances, apparently has a standard contract that bans the fourth estate from all of his speeches. No one seems to know why, and we can’t ask — on account of we’re out here, and he’s in there.
So with such a policy and contract language, is it any surprise that Gore would not talk to a Fox News reporter and the only opportunity the reporter had would be in a hallway?
Gore’s Contract:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0717071gore1.html
johnnythelowery (14:04:26) :
AL GORE is wrong again. He’s having everyone else’s lunch!
QOTW!
Quote of the week!
You can see the video at these locations also:
in YahooNews:
http://news.yahoo.com/video/politics-15749652/19116398
in FoxNews
http://www.foxnews.com/search-results/m/30273469/the-factor-confronts-al-gore.htm
Who said there’s no free lunch?—Actually, he was paid to eat it. Man, what a gig. Gotta get me one of them
How come FOX doesn’t ask him about whhy we just had the hottest March on record?
Faux News simply displays its own ignorance by such behavior…not Al Gore’s.
REPLY: as do you.- A
Craig Moore (16:07:46) :
It was funny and revealing. Perhaps it would be equally entertaining, fair and balanced, if Fox ambushed Viscount Monckton…
Monckton is able to think on his feet. I’ve seen a video of him ambushed about the ‘Hitler Youth’:
Lunchgate?
I love it. [snip] Al finally getting his comeuppance. Hope he did get heartburn. I hope he has trouble sleeping, and a whole host of health issues for the lies he has spread, all for his own fame, glory, and financial gain.
He doesn’t deserve the title of vice president. He barely deserves to be called an American. I can’t believe I ever voted for him.
Sorry, don’t feel bad for Al at all. Own up or shut up. He places himself in this position. If it makes him feel uncomfortable he has only himself to blame. I don’t molly coddle my 4th and 5th graders (and they at least have the excuse of having disabilities, though they can’t use that excuse with me), so why should I feel sorry for a grown man?
Sounds like he is the one ambushing his audience by insisting on closed doors. Usually people who do things in secret end up having to explain themselves later on, and then the explanation does ’em in (remember the wide stance one?).
4 billion (16:16:50) :
Why didn’t they ask him why there has been no statistically significant warming for 15 years?
Glenn (15:31:29) :
Original Mike (15:06:50) :
“I’m of two minds. On a personal level, I feel for him. But, more importantly, he has taken it upon himself to save the planet. How can he do that if he’s running from the press? If he really had the strengths of his convictions, he’d welcome the opportunity to talk to a prominent news organization. Maybe he really is in it just for the money.”
If the world needed saving, would the press be the ones to get the job done?? I seriously doubt that. I’m sure Gore does have the strength of conviction, and he said he would consider going on FOX, but he is right about ambush journalism. Do you seriously think he should have taken time out to sit down with that reporter who was chasing him around and do an interview on the spot?
————————-
Reply:
The answer is a resounding YES!! Consider the alternative:
What if a reporter from Fox News, CBS, ABC, CNN or any of the major news outlets caught up with Mr. Watts, Mr. McIntyer, or any of the major contributors here. Would they give that reporter a few minutes to discuss what has become the most pressing issue facing mankind?
For any of these to give the excuse that they’ve got lunch would be ludicrous. And if they’re that hungry, they’d probably invite the news crew to join them for lunch.. At least Dutch! (Those Big Oil checks don’t provide much of an expense account… lol).
The problem for Gore is this: He’s once again demonstrated no willingness at all to talk to the “little people”. He’s part of the Elite. “Please don’t bother me, scum” is what his actions are saying. And he’s consistent with his message; he’s never available (I doubt he’ll appear on Fox in my lifetime, too).
It is precisely because he has so thoroughly fooled himself is the reason I feel sorry for him. Still, I will fight his cause simply because he is so evil. For one that should know that elections have consequences, Gore should know that bad policy also has consequences–in this case, deadly consequences.
Still, I can see why Gore runs–every time he opens his mouth, he says something that discredits himself and the cause for which he speaks.
4 billion (16:16:50) :
How come FOX doesn’t ask him about whhy we just had the hottest March on record?
Why don’t they ask you if one month of data means anything?
I know some politicians and they are decent folk. The problem for politicians, Al Gore included, is that they have to, MUST, listen to advice. The advice from reputable scientific organisations is consistent. Should a politician ignore the APS, Am Met Soc, NAS,,,UK Royal Society,,,, and rather take advice from some bloggers? Please, dont waste your energy on poor old Al. Put your energy into getting the scientific bodies to change their tune. Not one has, that I know of. As soon as a couple of reputable scientific organisations come out against AGW alarmism, then go back to the politicians.
Richard Hill
The ice is cracking up elsewhere:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1265734/Pictured-Arctic-Survey-team-escape-disaster-ice-cracks-tent.html
Gore is at Duke in the video and from his talk there last Thursday:
A Gore aide said Tuesday that media members will only be allowed to record video and audio of the first five minutes of Gore’s talk at Duke University on April 8
http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/7330903/
He only allowed limited video, audio and photo of his speech, and answered only pre-screened questions.
david elder (16:24:40) :
Lunchgate?
……………………………………………………………………………………..
Wait a sec…. maybe this is quote of the week.
Actually, I found the interviewer to be incredibly weak. If I were going to broach Gore on his reaction to skeptics, I’d have a list of names and positions ready in order to counter the predictable “they’re a tiny minority of nut cases” defence. She’s paid God knows how much for this kind of ineffectual “journalism”?
Bah. Gore’s bad, but at least he’s being conniving and hypocritical for a purpose (to become even richer than he already is). She, however, is just plain incompetent. He brings up conspiracy nuts who believe the moon landing was a hoax, and the only name she can bring to the table is another vice-president?
Double “bah”!
What’s the point of this? It is harrassment pure and simple.
REPLY:Gosh. Do you mean, harassment like this?
or maybe this one?
If you receive public funding to promote even crap, doesn’t it then stand to reason that the public has a right to know about it?
Good to see Glenn posting again. Now if we could just locate tallbloke, we’ll have a complete collection. 🙂
And a happy birthday to anna v this month as well.
Curious term on page 4 of the contract.
The sponsor must supply leads to connect from “The Vice President Gore output on an Apple Macbook Pro to their sound system”
Almost worth paying to book him just to insert that particular plug 😛
re: toby (14:16:02)
Go read Mechanics Illustrated’s series on alternative energy, written back around 1965. It pointed out why none of the alternative energy suggestions, including solar in orbit and nuclear in orbit, would be blocked by the preservationists of the time. The conservationists/preservationists make the same arguments against each alternative energy source again today.
Any alternative energy source anyone tries to impliment gets blocked, by the “conservationists”.
And, that ignores whether or not the AE method is affordable or practical.
When you you say that it is not that far off to compare AGW skeptics to people who believe the earth is flat, you should be able to answer a simple question about sea ice. You might want to know that the core of the earth is not millions of degrees. I have never seen him answer a though question in any forum. If you are going to travel the globe making millions by lying, a few tough questions at inconvenient times is in not out of line.
I guess this is Al Gore’s version of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy!
Notice that in the “60 Minutes” segment, Reverend Al pulled the old “Disinformation Rule #26” trick out of his hat and compared AGW skeptics to flat-earthers. Disinformation rule #26 is employed when the perpetrator knows he’s unable to support his position with the facts. It’s an appeal to emotion, rather than to intellect.