You haven’t made an endorsement in the presidential race. Are you inclined to do that now?

The answer is no.

Has it been solicited?

I was actually asked to speak at both party conventions. I explained that I was taking a sabbatical from elective partisan politics. And it might be a sabbatical that will go on for the rest of my life.

You, of course, have been through this before, 12 years ago. Given your subsequent move away from the Democratic Party, isn’t it for the best that you and Al Gore didn’t win in 2000?

Oh, no. I have many feelings about 2000 but two prominent ones. One is a really tremendous sense of gratitude to Al Gore. And the second is — how to put it? — disappointment, anger and frustration over how it ended.

On the subject of running mates, apparently the words “Paul Ryan” and “shirtless” have been Googled nine times more often than “Paul Ryan” and “budget.” Are you puzzled that more attention was not paid to your physique?

I am. Because beneath this shirt, there is really a lot to behold that would give voters a sense of confidence about my capacity for balanced leadership.