Al Gore and Barack Obama walked onto the stage tonight in Detroit, Michigan, to big cheers from some 20,000 who had gathered to see the presumptive Democratic nominee.

The former veep and presidential candidate Gore began by introducing himself as “a citizen of the United States,” and a “citizen of the world.” He continued, “The outcome of this election will affect the future of our planet. For America to lead the world through the dangers we’re facing to seize the opportunities before us, we’ve got to have new leadership; not only a new president, but new policies; not only a new head of state, but a new vision for America’s future.”

McCain, Gore said, deserved to commended for his bravery in war and his years of service. “But, even as we acknowledge his long experience, we must and we will make our case that America simply cannot afford to continue the policies of the last eight years for another four. And we all know that a long tenure in Washington D.C. is not the same as judgment, wisdom and vision.”

He then quoted a “prominent Republican” who called a Democratic nominee as being too young, inexperienced and naïve. He wasn’t referring to something John McCain said about Barack Obama, however. “Who are they talking about?” he asked. “Every single one of those quotations came from the campaign of 1960, when the Republicans attacked John Fitzgerald Kennedy for allegedly lacking the age and experience necessary to be president. Richard Nixon’s slogan in that campaign was “experience counts,” to which John F. Kennedy responded, and I quote, “to exclude from positions of trust and command all those below the age of 44, would have kept Jefferson from writing the Declaration of Independence, Washington from commanding the Continental Army, Madison from fathering the Constitution, and Christopher Columbus from even discovering America,” Gore said.

The Democrat who won the popular vote and lost the election to George W. Bush then joked, “Take it from me, elections matter.” Ticking off ills that face the country today, such as the debacle in New Orleans, a bad economy, the war in Iraq, and the environment, Gore punctuated the problems with, “You know that elections matter.”

Gore, not particularly known for his sense of humor then said, “If you care about food safety, if you like a “T” on your B.L.T., you know that elections matter….If you bought tainted pet food made in China, you know that elections matter. After the last eight years, even our dogs and cats have learned that elections matter.”

He praised Obama for speaking out against the war in 2002 and spoke about the urgency with which we need to deal with global climate change – his signature issue.

He concluded by observing that the nation has been waiting for a candidate like Barack Obama, who “in response to those doubting our ability to solve the climate crisis and create a bright future, inspired millions to say, ‘Yes, we can.’ We have such a nominee. We have such a leader.”

WATCH HERE:

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Al Gore will appear alongside Barack Obama at a rally in Detroit, Michigan, tonight. The former veep, who endorsed then candidate Howard Dean early on in the ‘04 race, kept silent this go ’round, waiting until Democrats had already selected their horse.

In an email sent out to Obama supporters, Gore wrote, “From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States. Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges — including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.”

While Obama toured a GM plant in Flint, Michigan, a reporter queried the presumptive nominee about the endorsement. Here’s the exchange, according to the pool report:

“Is Al Gore endorsing me?” Mr. Obama said with a grin. “That’s great. It means a lot obviously.”

Asked whether the former vice president had been helpful in the primaries, Mr. Obama said: “Yes.”

“We’ve had ongoing conversations about a whole host of issues, a lot of them have revolved around issues of climate change and energy and the environment. He’s provided good political advice,” Mr. Obama said. “Obviously, he hasn’t been speaking exclusively to me. He obviously spoke to senators Clinton and Edwards and others. He’s somebody who has been a visionary, not just for the party, but for the country. There are very few people who are more knowledgeable than he is about a whole host of issues and the challenges that are to come.”

In addition to a new surrogate, Obama may also get an influx of campaign cash. The former vice president has encouraged his supporters, members of AlGore.com, to contribute to Obama’s campaign. Noting he’d never asked his followers to donate before, he wrote, “This moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action.”

The Obama camp just issued the following statement on Hillary Clinton’s endorsement.

“Obviously, I am thrilled and honored to have Senator Clinton’s support. But more than that, I honor her today for the valiant and historic campaign she has run.  She shattered barriers on behalf of  my daughters and women everywhere, who now know that there are no limits to their dreams. And she inspired millions with her strength, courage and unyielding commitment to the cause of working Americans.  Our party and our country are stronger because of the work she has done throughout her life, and I’m a better candidate for having had the privilege of competing with her in this campaign. No one knows better than Senator Clinton how desperately America and the American people need change, and I know she will continue to be in the forefront of that battle this fall and for years to come,” said U.S. Senator Barack Obama.

The Obama camp won’t say whether or not the presumptive Democratic nominee watched Clinton’s speech or not, but the candidate was seen leaving his house earlier today with golf clubs.

Barack Obama took the stage this evening in Grand Rapids, MI, in front of more than 12,000 supporters and said, “I know that we didn’t have the chance to campaign here during the primary – and I felt bad about it. I didn’t have a chance to talk to you guys about the issues. I felt guilty about not campaigning and so as a consequence I decided that I would try to give you something special,” he said to applause. “I decided that on my first full day of campaigning in Michigan, that I wouldn’t be fooling around, that I wasn’t just going to do the same old thing. But I decided that I was going to bring out one of the greatest leaders we have in the Democratic Party – please give it up for my friend John Edwards!”

John Edwards entered the arena to thunderous applause as Bruce Springsteen’s “The Rising” blared over speakers (a Kerry/Edwards ‘04 favorite). Before he praised Obama, Edwards was sure to mention the other Democrat still in the race - even as the Obama supporters booed at the sound of her name.

“I want to tell you, I know this is hard to understand sometime, but it is very, very hard to get up every day and do what she’s done. It is hard to go out there to fight and to speak up when the odds turn against you. And what she has shown is strength and character, and what drives her is something that every single one of us can and should appreciate,” he said, noting she is a woman “made of steel.”

“She’s a leader in this country not, not because of her husband, but because what she has done, because of speaking out, because of standing up. And we, when this nomination battle is over, and it will be over soon – brothers and sisters, we must come together as Democrats and in the fall stand up for what matters to the future of America, to make America what it needs to be. And we are a stronger party because hillary Clinton is a democrat. We are a stronger country because of her years of public service, and we’re gonna have a stronger nominee in the fall because of her work,” he said.

And then the news all the Obama fans were there to hear:

“The reason that I am here tonight is because the Democratic voters of america have made their choice and so have I,” he said as the arena erupted. “There is one man who knows and understands that this is a time for bold leadership. There is one man that knows how to create the change, the lasting change that you have to build from the ground up. There is one man who knows in his heart that it is time to create one America, not two, and that man is Barack Obama.”

Barack Obama had equally glowing things to say about his one-time rival and promised to join in Edwards’ fight to end poverty. “The fight that John is waging right now will be a fight I carry into the White House for the next four years,” he said. “I want to make sure that everybody knows that he will have a partner in that effort, because that is a goal that I will set as President of the United States of America.”

Soon after, a man in the crowd yelled out, “Does that mean Obama-Edwards?”

Obama laughed, Edwards smiled, but no one commented on the question. The message, rather, was unity. Obama said, “John Edwards and I believe in a different America. Hillary Clinton believes in a different America. The Democratic Party believes in a different America. One America, where we rise and fall together as one people and that’s why we are gonna take Washington by storm this November.”

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Ending months of speculation, former Democratic rival John Edwards will endorse Barack Obama at a rally this evening in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Edwards joins Bill Richardson and Chris Dodd as the third former Democratic presidential candidate to endorse Obama.

Stay tuned.

He’s no superdelegate, but Bruce Springsteen’s endorsement was welcomed nonetheless by the Obama campaign today.

In a letter posted on the singer’s website, Springsteen wrote Obama “is head and shoulders above the rest” and that he “speaks to the America I’ve envisioned in my music for the past 35 years.”

He even weighed in on Barack Obama’s now infamous “bitter” comments. “At the moment, critics have tried to diminish Senator Obama through the exaggeration of certain of his comments and relationships. While these matters are worthy of some discussion, they have been ripped out of the context and fabric of the man’s life and vision, so well described in his excellent book, Dreams of My Father, often in order to distract us from discussing the real issues: war and peace, the fight for economic and racial justice, reaffirming our Constitution, and the protection and enhancement of our environment.”

Barack Obama responded on his own website, writing, The America that Bruce Springsteen has spoken about through song is one of big dreams, unyielding hope, and a resilient, hardworking people who struggle and sacrifice for a country as good as its promise.  It’s a story I know and a vision I share for our future, and that’s why I’m so honored to have his support in this journey.”

Here’s what “The Boss” wrote on his website:

Dear Friends and Fans:

LIke most of you, I’ve been following the campaign and I have now seen and heard enough to know where I stand. Senator Obama, in my view, is head and shoulders above the rest.

He has the depth, the reflectiveness, and the resilience to be our next President. He speaks to the America I’ve envisioned in my music for the past 35 years, a generous nation with a citizenry willing to tackle nuanced and complex problems, a country that’s interested in its collective destiny and in the potential of its gathered spirit. A place where “…nobody crowds you, and nobody goes it alone.”

At the moment, critics have tried to diminish Senator Obama through the exaggeration of certain of his comments and relationships. While these matters are worthy of some discussion, they have been ripped out of the context and fabric of the man’s life and vision, so well described in his excellent book, Dreams of My Father, often in order to distract us from discussing the real issues: war and peace, the fight for economic and racial justice, reaffirming our Constitution, and the protection and enhancement of our environment.

After the terrible damage done over the past eight years, a great American reclamation project needs to be undertaken. I believe that Senator Obama is the best candidate to lead that project and to lead us into the 21st Century with a renewed sense of moral purpose and of ourselves as Americans.

Over here on E Street, we’re proud to support Obama for President.

Bill Richardson became the second former ‘08 Democratic candidate for president to pick a pony for the Democratic nomination, when he endorsed Barack Obama today. The news hit on the AP wire a little at 3am, Eastern this morning, that Richardson, the former New Mexico governor, would join Senator Obama make his announcement on the campaign trail in Portland, Oregon. Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), endorsed Senator Obama last month in Ohio.

Obama explained the timing of the endorsement, which comes after a week’s worth of bad news for his campaign. He told reporters, “Last week, Governor Richardson agreed to endorse me, but we couldn’t get scheduled logistically because he had to go take a vacation with his wife, very wisely. So it took us till today to actually make the public announcement.”

Richardson, who served in President Bill Cinton’s administration, said that up until a week ago, he had been torn by two “very strong, good candidates.” Ultimately he made his decision  because he considers Obama to be “something special that the country needs right now,” citing Obama’s humanity, intellect, and judgment.

His decision was reinforced upon hearing Obama’s speech Tuesday, Richardson said. “He did not seek to evade tough issues or to soothe us with comforting half-truths. Rather, he inspired us by reminding us of the awesome potential residing in our own responsibility,” he said of Obama’s speech.

But with long-standing ties to the Clintons, he described his conversation with Senator Clinton last night to inform her of his decision as uncomfortable. “Let me say I’ve had better conversations,” Richardson said with a laugh. As he told the some 12,000 people in Portland, “The 1990s were a decade of peace and prosperity because of the competent and enlightened leadership of the Clinton administration, but it is now time for a new generation of leadership to lead America forward.”

While Hillary Clinton has remained mum in response to the endorsement, Mark Penn, a Clinton senior advisor told reporters on a conference call, “Perhaps the time he could have been most effective is long since past.”

“You know, that’s unfortunate. I want to get away from that,” Richardson said, standing next to Senator Obama at a media avail, saying this comment implied he could only help rally the Hispanic vote in states like Texas. “I want to go where Senator Obama has, where he’s calling on all of us to come together, not to be stereotyped,” he said.
In a lighter moment during his speech introducing Senator Obama at the Portland rally, Richardson strayed from his prepared remarks to recount a story to demonstrate that Obama is a “really good guy.”

Lamenting that he was never called upon during the numerous Democratic debates, he recalled being surprised when asked a question by the moderator of an undisclosed debate. “Needless to say, I wasn’t listening and I turned to Senator Obama in horror about to say, ‘Would you repeat the question,’ and Senator Obama whispered, he said, ‘Katrina. Katrina.’ And so I then gave my answer on Katrina,” Richardson said with a grin. “He could have thrown me under the bus, he but he stood behind me.”

“Don’t tell anyone about that incident,” he joked.

Sedona, AZ — As he nears the magic number of delegates to clinch the nomination the endorsements continue to pour in for Sen. John McCain, with two southern state governors set to announce their support for the Arizona senator Monday.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, both of whom are being talked about by the pundits as possible vice presidential picks, will endorse McCain at a press conference in Washington tomorrow morning, FOX has learned. McCain will not be on hand for the endorsement—he will be in AZ and TX Monday–but he will run into Perdue later in the week. The GA Governor is hosting a fundraiser for him Thursday in Atlanta.

Cleveland, Ohio:

Today Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) stood side-by-side with his former rival, Senator Barack Obama, and announced his endorsement of the Democratic nominee. Dodd, who dropped out of the race following his defeat in Iowa, became the first 2008 Democratic candidate to endorse in the race.

“It’s now the hour to come together,” Dodd announced, appealing to Democrats, Independents and others to come together to keep the Party cohesive enough to ensure victory in November against Senator John McCain.

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Later when responding to a question during the avail, Dodd issued a “cautionary note” against an ugly campaign for the nomination. He warned, “Be careful this week. We have good people running.” Adding, “I know the temptation in campaigns, beyond the ability of the candidates themselves to control it, can get out of control. We’ve witnessed a little bit of that here, and I’m worried about it, and one of the things I wanted to say this morning…was to urge these campaigns to be careful. We’re on the brink, I think, of a great victory for this country, and I don’t want to see us lose that opportunity because of the mistakes made or the divisiveness that can enter a campaign.”

Following the circulation yesterday of the photograph of Senator Obama dressed in traditional Somali garb,  Obama recognized that “at this stage in the campaign, there are going to be dust-up, particularly at the staff level. Certainly I don’t think that that photograph was circulated to enhance my candidacy. I think that’s fair to say. Do I think that it is reflective of Senator Clinton’s approach to the campaign? Probably not.”

So what’s to be expected at tonight’s debate, after Hillary Clinton challenged him last week, “Meet me in Ohio.”?

Barack Obama is likely prepared for a contentious debate, but told reporters today, “I would expect her to argue vigorously her case, or why she should be president. And I’m sure she’ll point out differences she has with me. I will do the same, but I’m sure it will be conducted in civil fashion, because, at this point, as Senator Clinton said in the last debate, it’s been an honor to not only participate in this process with her, but also with people like Chris Dodd, and Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich - all outstanding individuals who have made enormous contributions to this country.”

Today in Austin, Texas, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced the union’s endorsement of Senator Barack Obama. This, of course, means the union will put it’s organizational muscle and 1.4 million members to use to try to help Obama win the Democratic nomination.

Hoffa admitted that John Edwards “probably had the best message for working people,” but, he is also realistic. “Unfortunately, his candidacy never really caught fire,” he added. So then there were two candidates.

Why Obama over Clinton? Well, Hoffa said that Obama has been the only one to talk about renegotiating NAFTA, an issue that is one of the most important to the Teamsters. But while issues like trade, jobs, and health care are certainly important to the Teamsters, so is winning.

“You can’t ignore the fact that he’s won 10 elections in a row. you can’t ignore the fact that he’s playing to basketball arenas, 20,000 people. I mean the guy has really picked up a momentum that is resonating with our members and it’s showing up in the polls.” Hoffa added, “I think
that’s important and that’s the kind of candidate we need in November to run against McCain. We’re going to need a very strong candidate that brings a lot more people in the political process and I think that’s what he’s doing.”

Hoffa was clear to say that he has the “highest regard” for Senator Clinton and “this should not be seen as anything against her.” He insisted he put a call into her, but had not, as of his press avail in Austin, made contact with her.

Check out some of Hoffa’s comments here:

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