Gore endorses Obama for White House

US presidential candidate Barack Obama picked up the endorsement of Nobel laureate and former US vice president Al Gore, getting a boost from one of the Democratic Party’s most-respected figures as he works to unify party ranks after a divisive primary campaign.

Mr Gore’s commitmenty “to do whatever I can” to get Mr Obama elected was not surprising now that Mr Obama has locked up the Democratic presidential nomination.

However, Mr Gore’s whole-hearted support could add lustre to Mr Obama’s campaign as he tries to win over Democrats who backed his former rival, Hillary Clinton.

Mr Gore made his debut in the 2008 US presidential campaign with Mr Obama at a rally at Detroit’s Joe Lewis Arena, encouraging voters to back the Illinois senator because “take it from me, elections matter”.

The former US vice president’s speech was part endorsement and part blistering attack on the man who denied him the White House eight years ago.

“After eight years of incompetence, neglect and failure, we need change,” Mr Gore said. “After eight years when our Constitution has been dishonoured and disrespected, we need changes.”

In 2000, Mr Gore won the popular vote but lost the disputed election to George Bush, who captured Florida and its electoral votes after a divided Supreme Court ended the recount of ballots.

Since then, Mr Gore has made global warming his signature issue, and has been recognised worldwide for his efforts – from an Academy Award for a documentary to the Nobel Peace Prize.

At the rally, Mr Gore accused Mr Bush of myriad missteps, including a botched response to Hurricane Katrina, economic problems, foreign policy mistakes and allowing lead-tainted toys and poisoned pet food in from China.

“Even our dogs and cats have learned that elections matter,” he said. “This election matters more than ever because America needs change more than ever.”

Mr Obama stoked lasting Democratic anger over the 2000 outcome when he recognised Mr Gore as “the winner of the popular vote for president”.

“You remember that,” Mr Obama said as the crowd of 20,000 erupted in raucous applause.

Also, Mr Obama announced he would travel to Iraq and Afghanistan before the November election, but he did not say when.

Since his 2000 defeat, Mr Gore has campaigned around the world to combat global warming. That issue has not dominated the presidential campaign as both Mr Obama and Republican rival John McCain have pledged sharp changes from Mr Bush’s policies on global warming.

However, Mr McCain touched on a key difference between Republican and Democratic environmental policies, calling for oil drilling in offshore regions of the United States.

Democrats have opposed offshore drilling for environmental reasons, but, Mr McCain said it is needed to provide relief for Americans struggling with record high gasoline prices.