Reflecting On My Al Gore Encounter
Published April 08, 2007
During my approximately 13 years as a newspaper reporter I had many highs and lows. I learned everything from how to manufacture a meth lab - a defendant argued, from the witness stand, that she could not have caused the meth lab fire that claimed the lives of her kids, because she was too skilled at what she did, as she spelled it out step by step - to why writing music criticism is not my cup of tea.
I stop and reflect from time to time about some of those experiences.
Sure, there are a few nightmares like covering the trial and sentencing of a serial killer or covering way too many fatal traffic accidents. And there were the funny moments, especially when interviewing people as they turn 100 and hear what it is they are mad about. ("They took away my driver's license! Just because I drove into a house! Who hasn't?")
But today I wanted to stop and answer a question a friend asked me recently. She wanted to know the circumstances of this photo, probably the favorite photo taken of me while in action.
The backstory to the photo: It was about a month or two after the election. We'd heard that his son's lacrosse team was playing a local private school's team. I volunteered for the interview thinking, “How often would I get a chance to meet and interview a president I'd voted for?”
I arrived and had a dilemma. He was sitting by himself in the stands and was clearly enjoying the freedom of being away from everything. And here I was about to burst that bubble and ask, in so many words, how's life after one of the most public and contentious presidential election losses in recent history.
- Reflecting On My Al Gore Encounter
- Published: April 08, 2007
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Politics
- Filed Under: Books: The Reading Life, Books: The Writing Life, Culture: Media, Culture: Personal History, Politics: Elections and Candidates
- Writer: Scott Butki
- Scott Butki's BC Writer page
- Scott Butki's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Wow..how exciting! Gee Al "E"Gore..the guy is such a fucking bore! Forget about global warming Al "E"Gore is responsible for the dramatic rise in narcolepsy!
JOM
At least he's not a one trick pony like some. That's really boring...
"At least he's not a one trick pony like some. That's really boring..."
You mean me or Al Gore?
Dave: You'd be underwhelmed since most of the article was about local stuff, how pretty the region was, etc.
But I'll see if I can get a copy of it to share.
[Entire comment deleted]
Post 6# Deleted?
What good is having a village idiot if you're not allowed to observe and laugh at them?
Here is the resulting story:
Here's the story.
Wednesday, April 18, 2001
Gores visit local school By SCOTT BUTKI
Former Vice President Al Gore and his wife Tipper were at St. James
School Wednesday evening to watch their son, Albert III, play lacrosse
for the Sidwell Friends School team.
Sidwell won the game 8-1.
Gore said he was impressed with St. James School and said both schools
have good lacrosse teams.
"It is a good day for lacrosse," he said.
He spoke while standing in the wooden stands in front of the field.
He has returned to private life after losing his bid for the presidency to George W. Bush.
Gore said he and Tipper are writing a book about families and he is
teaching classes at Columbia University.
"I am making a contribution in other ways," he said.
He said he has not decided whether he will return to public office.
If one didn't know he had been vice president, Gore, clad in cowboy
boots, blue jeans and a brown jacket, would not have stood out in the
crowd.
From the wooden stands, he shouted encouragement to the Sidwell team:
"Let's go, Sidwell,!" "Way to go," "Good defense," and "Good save."
Few people went over to talk to him.
Frank Joyce, who lives in Washington, D.C., and has a child on the
Sidwell team, was watching the game from a spot nearby.
It was no surprise that Gore was at St. James to watch his son play,
because he attends all home and away games, Joyce said.
Two men watching the game said they were impressed but not surprised to see Gore at the game, cheering on his son's team.
"I think it's great. I understand he is a pretty good father," said
Blackwell Davis, of Charles Town, W.Va.
"It is good to see him here supporting his son
Interesting that Gore sent his kids to Sidwell Friends when he attended St. Albans - that's what gave me an in to get a job with him back when. Probably a good choice. I think it offers a more well-rounded education, plus it's co-ed. If I had stayed in DC I'd probably have sent my daughters there. A son I might have sent to StA to continue the family tradition.
Good article, btw. Nicely focused on the local news while slipping in just enough about Gore to show you're paying attention.
Dave
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(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/62143)
So where can we read this interview, Scott?
I could write reminiscences of my discussions with Gore, but no one would be interested in his ideas of chair placement, how many donuts to provide for conference attendees or audio/video equipment.
Dave