Gore gets behind Obama
Tuesday, 17 Jun 2008 10:30
Al Gore publicly endorses Barack Obama's campaign to become next United States president
Al Gore has publicly endorsed Barack Obama's campaign to become the next president of the United States.
The former vice president appeared at a rally with the presumptive Democratic party nominee in Detroit last night to pledge "to do whatever I can" to get Mr Obama elected.
Mr Gore's backing has arrived only after Hillary Clinton dropped out of the race to become the party's nominee, but provides ammunition to the Obama camp after he was criticised for a lack of foreign policy experience.
"This moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action," Mr Gore told a crowd of 20,000 people.
"That's why I am asking you to join me in showing your support by making a contribution to this campaign today.
"Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action.
"With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country's most pressing problems."
Since losing the 2000 presidential election to George Bush Mr Gore has devoted his time to combating climate change, winning an Oscar and a Nobel peace prize for his 2006 documentary An Inconvenient Truth.