Gore-Obama Meeting Fuels Job Rumors

But former veep says he wants to keep working from 'outside'

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Dec 9, 2008 5:02 AM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama and Joe Biden will meet today with Al Gore just as the transition team is set to choose the key environmental appointments of energy secretary and EPA chief, CNN reports. The meeting in Chicago has triggered speculation that Obama may be considering Gore for a slot in his administration, but Politico reports that Gore is dismissing any talk of a formal role.

Gore “still believes his calling at this time is to help educate the public about the issues through his roles at the Alliance at Climate Protection and other work,” said a Gore spokeswoman. Party leaders deny rumors of a job offer, but the former veep has said he'll maintain an active voice in the new administration and Obama pledged last spring that the Nobel laureate "will be at the table and play a central part" in his response to climate change.

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President-elect Barack Obama is about to choose an energy secretary and an administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Al Gore meets today with Barack Obama and Joe Biden in Chicago. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa)

Al Gore will meet with Barack Obama and Joe Biden in Chicago today. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

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Former Vice President Gore still believes his calling at this time is to help educate the public about the issues through his roles at the Alliance at Climate Protection and other work. - Kalee Kreider, Gore spokeswoman

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Gore-Obama Meeting Fuels Job Rumors