It surprises me, that in all the furor raised over Al Gore's announced support for socialized medicine, no-one has pointed out the constituency most likely to be pleased by Gore's statement.
I am speaking, of course, of the U.S. health insurance industry.
I believe that Al has taken stock of his chances wnd knows that he is racing towards the event horizon of political oblivion, which will come in the general election of 2004. Knowing that his speaking fees will never approach Clinton's, Al has decided to sell out in every way possible.
He has sold out to the insurance industry. When Al Gore goes down, his defeat will discredit the single-payer health care plan he championed.
Who else will buy a piece of Gore's loss? The pro-choice lobby? Pharmaceutical manufacturers (go ahead Al, promote generics!)
Oh, I know politics is never really this simple. But I can dream, can't I?