As mentioned in a previous diary, Gore was reportedly "flabbergasted" after the Los Angeles book signing - he was thoroughly, and perhaps surprisingly, impressed by the incredible outpour of support for him and a 2008 candidacy. Well, the sentiments have seemingly been felt throughout the whole Gore camp.

According to Kalee Kreider, Mr Gore's communications director, it is already registering. She said the former vice president was overwhelmed by the campaigners' entreaties. "He's touched. It's so heartfelt," she said. "And we are seeing it growing."

This is the same woman who has vehemently and repeatedly put to rest any speculation that Gore might enter the race later this year. And now she not only acknowledges the impact its having on her boss, but also notes that its "growing." Not quite a 180, but it seems pretty apparent that the huge grassroots support is having some sort of impact.

Likewise, I was at the event earlier today in New York City. Somewhere between 500 and 750 fans crammed into a Barnes and Noble to hear him speak and get his signature...during a workday at 12:30 PM. Unfortunately, those in charge of the bookstore wouldn't allow us to conduct any draft activities inside, so we were limited to the amount of people we reached. Nonetheless, a very sizable (probably between 100-200) minority were sporting Gore 2008 stickers, buttons, and signed a petition urging him to run.

I, like everyone else, waited in line to get Al's signature, but unlike most others, I had a little note inside of my copy of The Assault on Reason. On the inside cover I wrote, "Can you be drafted into the 2008 race or am I just wasting my time?" and afterwards, I included two check boxes/options for him to choose from. Upon reading it, he let out a hearty laugh and just said "thank you." Take it for what you will, but he could have easily checked off the box that said "No, I cannot be drafted" which is largely in line with his response on Larry King where he said something to the effect of "politics does not work that way."

Another interesting anecdote was that the person in front of me in line lived in New Orleans at the time of Katrina. He resided in a building of a couple hundred senior citizens who were not receiving any help whatsoever from the state or federal government. Turns out he was at the bookstore to thank Al Gore for rescuing him and the others. Some of you may recall that Al chartered a plane less than a week after the travesty to help evacuate those still on the ground. With him, the man had a notebook of the names of many of the people who Gore saved that weekend. Gore was clearly touched, telling an aid that he would like to "follow up" with the man and wanted a copy of the notebook paper he was just presented - not for free media or to look good, but because he didn't have a record of those he helped out those two days.

The man then thanked him as Mr. President, because in his own words, unlike the man in the White House, Mr. Gore was the only one who acted presidential that week.