(USnews.com) Is Al Gore coming back? If allies we talked to have their way, the former veep will be the next president. "It's Gore Time," says a political strategist and fundraiser who is opening a bid to get Gore into the race. Allies say that in speeches, Gore has found his voice to address domestic and world issues. And in raising money for his Current TV network, which targets the critical youth market, Big Al has built an issue base and donor network that's competitive with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton 's.

Um, 2000 was “Gore Time”, but turned into “Bore Time.”

I think Al needs to make sure that his “base” is full of people that are first and foremost of voting age. Then he should look at the difference between media hype for a TV network and some flashy speeches versus actual political support from the Democratic base. His TV network still needs to prove itself before we can use that as any measuring stick. After all, look at “Air America” performance. If it does that well, his “popularity” may be as long lived as tight-rolled jeans.